What should you pack to prepare for disasters while travelling in Japan?
Pack extra yen, your passport, the medicines you normally take, and a portable charger. Save your accommodation’s address and contact details so you can view them without internet, and when you arrive at your hotel, check the route to the emergency exit.
Official sources checked 2026-10-12
I have a card — do I still need to prepare cash?
Yes. If an earthquake causes a power cut or communications failure, you may not be able to use cards or mobile payments.Even if you normally pay by card, pack extra yen before you leave.
Official sources: Cabinet Office · Cash in preparation for power cuts and communications failures (in Japanese) ↗
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I carry extra cash when I travel in Japan too
A power cut can make card payments difficult, so I always carry extra cash when I travel in Japan. It is money set aside separately from my usual travel spending.
Decide how much to bring based on the length of your trip, how many people you are travelling with, and your usual travel spending. Carry a mix of thousand-yen notes and coins so you can pay small amounts easily. Even with cash, shops may be closed, so it is also good to pack water, simple food, and the medicines you normally take.
What should I check before departure and after arriving at my hotel?
- Keep disaster alerts switched on.Set a language you can understand and your travel area in the Safety tips app.
- Check your hotel’s emergency exits.Step out of your room and see which way leads to the emergency exits and stairs.
- Save addresses and contact details.Keep your accommodation’s Japanese address and phone number, plus your family’s contact details, somewhere you can view them without internet.
- Pack a portable charger.If an earthquake strikes, contact your family from a safe place, and cut back on unnecessary use such as watching long videos.
Official sources: JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Korean-language guide to what to do in an earthquake ↗
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Why must I carry my passport while travelling in Japan?
Foreign nationals visiting Japan on a short trip must generally carry their original passport. You also need your passport to prove your identity.Keep the original on your person. A photo or copy cannot replace the original. The rules are different for residents who hold a residence card and for short-term travellers.
Official sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying passports and similar documents (in Japanese) ↗ · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗
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Before your trip, save your passport details and your accommodation’s address and phone number on your phone — it makes things easier to explain if you lose them. Save them so you can view them without internet, and if you prepare a paper copy, keep it somewhere separate from the original. Do not post passport photos on public boards or in group chats.
Do not enter a dangerous building to look for your passport.Evacuate first, and tell staff that you do not have your passport. Do not delay evacuating or asking for help just because you do not have your passport.
What should I do if I lose my passport?
First, evacuate to a safe place. If you are a Korean national, report the loss to the police from a safe place and get a receipt. Then ask the Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea responsible for the area you are in how to apply for an emergency passport. If the disaster makes it impossible to reach a police station or the embassy or consulate-general, explain your situation by phone and ask what to do. You will need to check with the diplomatic mission how long issuance takes and which documents you need.
Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗
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What else is good to know before travelling to a smaller city?
Save your accommodation’s name, Japanese address and contact details so you can view them without internet.If you plan to head into the mountains or out to the coast, ask your accommodation’s staff where the nearby evacuation sites are and where to check local notices.
If you are moving around separately from your family, it is good to decide in advance who to contact first if you lose touch. I recommend also writing down your accommodation’s contact details on paper, in case your phone does not work.
Find evacuation information for the area you are travelling in →
Official sources: JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Korean-language guide to what to do in an earthquake ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · 富士河口湖町 · Local disaster prevention and evacuation facility information (in Japanese) ↗
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Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How much emergency cash should I bring?
The amount you need depends on the length of your trip, how many people you are travelling with, and your usual travel spending. Pack extra yen separately for emergencies. Carry a mix of notes and coins so you can pay small amounts right away.
Official sources: Cabinet Office · Cash in preparation for power cuts and communications failures (in Japanese) ↗
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What do I do if I lose my passport?
First evacuate to a safe place and tell staff that you have lost your passport. If you are a Korean national, report the loss to the police from a safe place, and ask the Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea responsible for the area you are in how to apply for an emergency passport. A passport photo or copy does not replace the original.
Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗ · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying passports and similar documents (in Japanese) ↗
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Official sources for this guide
This article was written based on the official sources below. Check the latest notices for the area you are travelling in for current earthquake information, open shelters and transport. When reading guidance for another area, check whether it also applies to where you are.
Official sources: Cabinet Office · Cash in preparation for power cuts and communications failures (in Japanese) ↗ · JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Korean-language guide to what to do in an earthquake ↗ · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying passports and similar documents (in Japanese) ↗ · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · Local disaster prevention and evacuation facility information (in Japanese) ↗
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