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Disaster guide

If you are worried about disasters while travelling in Japan

If an earthquake has struck, or you are worried about a typhoon, open the relevant guide. Check what to do first and what to avoid, then follow the warnings for the area you are in and the instructions given on site.

Official sources checked 2026-10-12

What do you need help with?

From earthquakes to bear encounters, you can open the guide you need right away.

01Earthquakes →Protect yourself while the shaking lasts, and once it stops, check for dangers around you and the conditions for evacuating from the coast.

Official sources: JNTO · Korean-language guide to what to do in an earthquake ↗
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02Tsunamis →Know when to evacuate from the coast without waiting for a warning, how to find somewhere to evacuate to, and what to do before returning to your accommodation.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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03Typhoons →If a typhoon is forecast, know where you can evacuate to, and check whether your accommodation and booked transport will still be available.

Official sources: Fukuoka City · What to do when a typhoon approaches (in Japanese) ↗
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04Heavy rain, floods and landslides →Know when and where to evacuate when heavy rain falls, and what to check before returning to your accommodation once the rain eases.

Official sources: JNTO · Who should evacuate at alert level 3 (in Korean) ↗
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05Heavy snow and blizzards →Know what to do when a blizzard cuts visibility or your car gets stuck in snow, and what to check before heading back to your accommodation or travelling home.

Official sources: Sapporo Regional Headquarters, Japan Meteorological Agency, and others · What to do in a blizzard (PDF, in Japanese) ↗
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06Volcanoes and eruptions →Check what to look up before visiting a volcano, what to do if it erupts suddenly or ash starts falling, and what to do when returning to your accommodation after evacuating.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · What to do when you receive a volcanic eruption notice (in Japanese) ↗
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07Heatwaves and heat illness →If the heat makes you dizzy or nauseous, cool your body down. Know when to call 119, and what to prepare for hot days.

Official sources: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare · Heat illness symptoms and first aid (in Japanese) ↗
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08Wildlife and bear encounters →Learn how to act if you meet a bear, where to check before hiking, and what to take with you.

Official sources: Ministry of the Environment · How to avoid bears in national parks (in Japanese) ↗
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If you are looking for a shelter or preparing for your trip

The right place to avoid a tsunami may differ from the right place to avoid flooding. Check whether the facilities shown on the map are currently open. Read local notices and ask staff where to evacuate and where you can stay.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary accommodation for people unable to return home (in Japanese) ↗
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Shelters and help →Find shelters that are currently open, and ask staff for the help you need.Before you travel →Pack extra yen and your passport, bring the medicines you normally take, and save the information you need on your phone.

Where can I see the warnings and evacuation information issued now?

Check the issuing time and affected areas in the official sources below. Links for evacuation information and open shelters in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo are in the shelter guide.

Check current warnings and transport operating status at the official links above. If on-site broadcasts or facility staff instruct you to evacuate, follow their instructions first.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Earthquake information (in Korean) ↗ · JNTO · Official collection of disaster and transport information (in English) ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗
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The source-checked date is the date the official sources were checked. When looking up current warnings, open shelters and transport, also check when each notice was issued. If you are instructed to evacuate on site, follow that instruction first.