Traveling in Japan: What Should You Pack to Prepare for Disasters?
Pack extra yen and your passport, the medication you take regularly, and a portable battery. Save your lodging's address and contact information so you can view them offline, and check the route to the emergency exit when you arrive at your hotel.
Official sources checked: 2026-10-12
Do I need cash if I have cards?
Yes. If an earthquake causes a power outage or communication disruption, cards and mobile payments may not work. Even if you normally pay by card, pack extra yen before you leave.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan · Cash for power outages & communication disruptions (in Japanese) ↗
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I bring extra cash when I travel in Japan
Because card payments can be difficult during a power outage, I always carry extra cash when I travel in Japan. It's money set aside separately from my regular travel spending.
Decide how much based on your trip length, how many people you're traveling with, and your usual travel budget. Mix thousand-yen bills and coins so you can pay small amounts easily. Even with cash, shops may be closed, so it's good to also pack water, simple food, and the medication you take regularly.
What should I check before leaving and after arriving at my hotel?
- Turn on disaster alerts. Set a supported language you can understand and your travel region 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 information. Make sure you can view your lodging's Japanese address and phone number, plus your family's contact details, even without internet.
- Pack a portable battery. If an earthquake hits, contact your family from a safe place, and cut back on unnecessary use like watching long videos.
Official sources: JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Situation-by-situation earthquake actions (in Korean) ↗
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Why should I carry my passport while traveling in Japan?
Short-term foreign visitors to Japan are generally required to carry their original passport. Your passport is also needed to verify your identity. Keep the original on your person. Photos or copies can't replace the original. Rules differ for residents with a residence card and short-term travelers.
Official sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying your passport, etc. (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 lodging's address and phone number on your phone so they're easy to explain if you lose your passport. Save them for offline viewing, and if you prepare paper copies, keep them somewhere separate from the original. Don't post passport photos on public boards or group chats.
Don't enter a dangerous building to look for your passport. Evacuate first and tell staff you don't have your passport. Don't delay evacuating or asking for help just because you don't have it.
What should I do if I lose my passport?
First, evacuate to a safe place. If you're a Korean national, report the lost passport to the police from a safe place and get a receipt. Then contact the Korean embassy or consulate serving the area you're in about how to apply for an emergency passport. If the disaster keeps you from reaching a police station or the embassy/consulate, explain your situation by phone and ask what to do. Ask the mission about processing time and required documents.
Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗
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What else should I know before visiting a small town?
Save your lodging's name, Japanese address, and contact information so you can view them offline. If you plan to head into the mountains or out to the coast, ask your lodging's staff where to find nearby evacuation sites and local notices.
If you're moving around separately from family, decide in advance who to contact first if you lose touch. I also recommend writing your lodging's contact details on paper in case your phone doesn't work.
Finding evacuation guidance for your area →
Official sources: JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Situation-by-situation earthquake actions (in Korean) ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · 富士河口湖町 · Local disaster-prevention and evacuation-facility guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How much emergency cash should I bring?
It depends on your trip length, how many people you're traveling with, and your usual travel budget. Pack extra yen separately for emergencies. Mixing bills and coins makes it easy to pay small amounts on the spot.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan · Cash for power outages & communication disruptions (in Japanese) ↗
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What should I do if I lose my passport?
First evacuate to a safe place and tell staff you lost your passport. If you're a Korean national, report the loss to the police from a safe place, then contact the Korean embassy or consulate serving your area about how to apply for an emergency passport. Passport photos or copies don't 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 your passport, etc. (in Japanese) ↗
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Official sources for this guide
This guide is based on the official sources below. For current earthquake information, open shelters, and transportation, check the latest notices for the area you're traveling in. When reading guidance for another area, make sure it also applies where you are.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan · Cash for power outages & communication disruptions (in Japanese) ↗ · JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Situation-by-situation earthquake actions (in Korean) ↗ · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying your passport, etc. (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 guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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