Disasters · Shelters and help

How to find an evacuation shelter and get help in Japan

Find a nearby shelter on an official map, then check local notices to see whether it is currently open. When you arrive, tell staff, “I am travelling and cannot stay at my accommodation,” and ask for the help you need.

Official sources checked 2026-10-12

Where can I find a shelter?

Find a nearby shelter on an official map, then check local notices to see whether it is currently open. If there is no internet, ask hotel or station staff. Not every shelter shown on a map is open.

What is the difference between an evacuation site and an evacuation shelter?

A designated emergency evacuation site (指定緊急避難場所) is where you go to escape immediate danger. Check which disasters — earthquake, tsunami, major fire and so on — each site covers. A designated evacuation shelter (指定避難所) is where you stay when you cannot remain at home or at your accommodation. Even if a school is nearby, do not just walk in — first check whether it is operating as a shelter.

Open the official map. Open the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan guide and tap the ‘指定緊急避難場所’ or ‘指定避難所’ map button.
Find your area. Look around your current location or accommodation, and check that the site suits the disaster you need to avoid.
Check whether the shelter is open. Check the local city or ward office's official website for ‘避難所開設情報’ (shelter opening information).
Ask about the route too. Ask hotel or station staff where to go and whether any roads are closed. While moving, follow the instructions given on site.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · evacuation site and shelter map (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

If trains have stopped and you cannot get back to your hotel

Ask station staff, “Is there anywhere I can stay right now?” Places where you can rest temporarily in such situations are called temporary accommodation facilities (一時滞在施設). Shinjuku City · 新宿区 says it provides rest areas along with water, food, blankets and other supplies. In other areas, check with local staff or the municipal office to find out where is open and what you can receive.

Official sources: Shinjuku City · temporary accommodation facilities for people unable to get home (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Where can I check the latest evacuation information by city?

Check the official website of the city you are travelling in for evacuation guidance and currently open shelters. Use the table below to jump straight to your city. A map that only shows facility locations is not the same as current opening status, so check that a place is open before you head there.

Official disaster-information links for Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo
City you are travelling in	Current evacuation guidance and open shelters	Evacuation site and shelter map	Korean-language guidance
Tokyo東京	Tokyo disaster-prevention map (in Japanese) ↗ Under ‘区市町村ごとの防災情報’, check the ‘避難所’ (shelter) section and evacuation guidance for the ward or city you are in.	Tokyo official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ Search by address or facility name, then choose ‘避難所’ or ‘避難場所’ under ‘防災施設’.	Find Tokyo's Korean-language guidance ↗ You can read the Korean-language guidebook under ‘韓国語版’. Check the Tokyo disaster-prevention map for places that are currently open.
Osaka大阪	Osaka disaster-prevention network (in Japanese) ↗ On the Osaka City page, see ‘避難情報’ (evacuation information) and ‘避難所情報’ (shelter information).	Osaka official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ Follow the ‘マップナビおおさか’ link in the city office guidance to find evacuation sites and shelters.	Find Osaka's Korean-language guidance ↗ Under ‘한국・조선어’ you can reach the disaster-prevention network and multilingual support guidance. If automatic translation does not work, show staff the original Japanese text.
Fukuoka福岡	Fukuoka City emergency information (in Japanese) ↗ Check which areas have evacuation guidance and which shelters are currently open. If you are outside Fukuoka City, see the notices of the city office for that area.	Fukuoka official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ Open ‘総合ハザードマップ’ below the guidance. You can find nearby facilities with the magnifying glass for ‘避難所・避難場所’.	Find Fukuoka's Korean-language guidance ↗ The ‘韓国語’ link leads to a disaster-prevention handbook for foreign residents. Check the emergency information page for places that are currently open.
Sapporo札幌	Sapporo disaster-prevention portal (in Japanese) ↗ Go to ‘表示情報 → 避難情報’ and see ‘開設中の全ての避難施設’. You can also check shelter information in the ward-by-ward tables.	Sapporo official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ Choose the ward you are in to find evacuation sites. Check the disaster-prevention portal separately to see whether the facilities listed here are currently open.	Find Sapporo's Korean-language guidance (auto-translated) ↗ Select ‘한글(자동 번역)’ (Korean, auto-translated). You can find tourist disaster guidance and transport information for JR, buses and more.

Official sources: Tokyo · shelter opening status and disaster-prevention map (in Japanese) ↗ · Tokyo · Korean-language disaster-prevention guidebook ↗ · Osaka disaster-prevention network · Osaka City evacuation and shelter information (in Japanese) ↗ · Osaka City · evacuation sites, shelters and official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ · Osaka City · Korean-language and multilingual disaster guidance ↗ · Fukuoka City · current evacuation guidance and open shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Fukuoka City · how to use the comprehensive hazard map (in Japanese) ↗ · Fukuoka City · Korean-language disaster-prevention handbook for foreign residents ↗ · Sapporo City · disaster-prevention portal and shelter opening information (in Japanese) ↗ · Sapporo City · evacuation sites by ward (in Japanese) ↗ · Sapporo City · tourist disaster and transport guidance (Korean, auto-translated) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Check the latest situation on the official sites via the links above. Look at when each notice was announced and which areas it covers, and if you are given evacuation instructions on site, follow those first.

If you are travelling in another city or a small town

Open the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan hazard-map portal and select ‘わがまちハザードマップ’ to find the area you are travelling in. It connects to the area's official disaster map. Check the city, ward or town office notices separately for shelters that are currently open.

Fujikawaguchiko Town · 富士河口湖町

If you are travelling in a mountain area like Fujikawaguchiko, consult the town's disaster-prevention guidance (in Japanese) and ask accommodation staff where to stay and how to get there. Even if a map shows a short route, it may be closed at the scene.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · find official local hazard maps (in Japanese) ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · local disaster-prevention and evacuation facility guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Can foreigners also get help at evacuation shelters?

Yes. Foreigners can also ask for help at evacuation shelters. When you arrive, explain to the reception staff, “I am travelling and cannot get back to my hotel,” or “I cannot stay at my accommodation.” If there is no space or you need to go to another facility, ask where you should go.

Official sources: Yokohama City · guidance on using shelters for foreign residents (in Japanese) ↗ · Shinjuku City · temporary accommodation facilities for people unable to get home (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

What should I say first when I arrive at a shelter?

Tell them how many people are with you. When registering, write down your name, accommodation and contact details. Also ask where you may stay.
If you need water or food, ask where to get it. Check where the toilets are and whether you can get blankets. If you are injured or need medication, say so at registration.
Tell them about any allergies or medication you take regularly. Also mention if you are pregnant or travelling with small children. Say so too if walking is difficult or you need mobility assistance.
If you did not understand the instructions, ask again. Request interpretation or translation help, and check the noticeboard for new announcements. Tell staff before moving somewhere else.

Not every shelter has staff who speak the language you need or the medication you need. Say what you need first, then check what help is available there.

Official sources: Shinjuku City · Korean-language shelter living rules (in Korean) ↗ · Shinjuku City · earthquakes and evacuation facilities (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

If the explanations are hard to understand or you cannot register, ask for interpretation help. Explain your situation again to the staff handling registration, or ask JNTO travel support (050-3816-2787) for help. If you feel you were treated unfairly because of your nationality, explain the situation to the local government consultation desk and your country's embassy or consulate.

If speaking Japanese is difficult, show staff these sentences

Choose the sentence you need below and show it to staff.

What you want to say	Show this to staff
I am a traveller. I cannot get back to my accommodation.	旅行者です。宿泊先に戻れません。
Which shelters are open right now?	今、開いている避難所はどこですか。
Can I stay here?	ここに滞在できますか。
I would like to ask for an interpreter.	通訳をお願いしたいです。
I need water.	飲み水が必要です。
I am injured. I would like medical treatment.	けがをしています。医療の支援が必要です。
I have lost my passport.	パスポートをなくしました。

119 and language help phone numbers → · What to do if you lose your passport →

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Frequently asked questions

Can foreign travellers also ask for help at evacuation shelters?

Yes. Foreigners can also ask for help at evacuation shelters. Tell the reception staff, “I am travelling and cannot stay at my accommodation.” If there is no space or you need to go elsewhere, ask where you can stay.

Are all the shelters shown on the map open right now?

No. Even if a shelter is shown on a map, it may not be open right now. Check the notices from the local city or ward office announcing that shelters have opened, and follow on-site instructions. You should also distinguish between evacuation sites for escaping immediate danger and shelters for staying afterwards.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · evacuation site and shelter map (in Japanese) ↗ · Shinjuku City · temporary accommodation facilities for people unable to get home (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Official sources for this guide

This guide is 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 looking at guidance for other areas, check whether it also applies to where you are.