Disasters · Shelters & help

How to Find a Shelter and Get Help in Japan

Find a nearby shelter on the official map, then check local notices to see whether it's open now. When you arrive, tell staff "I'm traveling and can't stay at my lodging," and ask for the help you need.

Official sources checked: 2026-10-12

Where do I find a shelter?

Find a nearby shelter on the official map, then check local notices to see whether it's open now. If you have no internet, ask hotel or station staff. Not every shelter shown on a map is open.

What's the difference between an evacuation site and an evacuation shelter?

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. Designated evacuation shelter (指定避難所) is where you stay when you can't remain at home or at your lodging. Don't just head to a nearby school — first confirm it's operating as a shelter.

Open the official map. Open the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan guidance and tap the map button for '指定緊急避難場所' or '指定避難所'.
Find your area. Look around your current location or lodging, and check that the site fits the disaster you're facing.
Check whether the shelter is open. Check the official website of the local city or ward office 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. Follow on-site guidance while you move.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Evacuation site and shelter maps (in Japanese) ↗
Source checked: 2026-10-12

If stopped trains keep you from getting back to your hotel

Ask station staff, "Is there somewhere I can stay right now?" A place where you can rest temporarily in this kind of situation is called a temporary stay facility (一時滞在施設). Shinjuku City · 新宿区 says it provides a place to rest plus water, food, blankets, and more. In other areas, check with local staff or the municipality about what's open and what you can receive.

Official sources: Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to return home (in Japanese) ↗
Source checked: 2026-10-12

Where do I check the latest evacuation information by city?

Check the official website of the city you're visiting for evacuation guidance and currently open shelters. Find your city in the table below to go straight there. A map that only shows facility locations is different from current opening status — check that it's open before you head over.

Official disaster information for Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka & Sapporo
City you're visiting	Current evacuation guidance & open shelters	Evacuation site & shelter maps	Korean-language guidance
Tokyo東京	Tokyo Metropolitan Government disaster map (in Japanese) ↗ Under '区市町村ごとの防災情報' (disaster information by municipality), find your ward or city's '避難所' (shelters) and evacuation guidance.	Tokyo official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ Find a location by address or facility name, then under '防災施設' (disaster facilities), select '避難所' (shelter) or '避難場所' (evacuation site).	Tokyo · Finding Korean-language guidance (page in Japanese) ↗ Under '韓国語版' (Korean version), you can view the Korean guidebook. Check the Tokyo disaster map for what's currently open.
Osaka大阪	Osaka Disaster Prevention Net (in Japanese) ↗ On the Osaka City page, look for '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' (Map Navi Osaka) link in the city guidance to find evacuation sites and shelters.	Osaka · Finding Korean-language guidance (page in Japanese) ↗ Under '한국・조선어' (Korean), you can reach the disaster-prevention net and multilingual support guidance. If auto-translation doesn't work, show the Japanese original to staff.
Fukuoka福岡	Fukuoka City emergency information (in Japanese) ↗ Check which areas have evacuation guidance and which shelters are currently open. If you're outside Fukuoka City, check that area's city notices.	Fukuoka official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ Open the '総合ハザードマップ' (comprehensive hazard map) below the guidance. Use the magnifier on '避難所・避難場所' (shelters & evacuation sites) to find nearby facilities.	Fukuoka · Finding Korean-language guidance (page in Japanese) ↗ The '韓国語' (Korean) link has a disaster-prevention handbook for foreign residents. Check emergency information for what's currently open.
Sapporo札幌	Sapporo disaster-prevention portal (in Japanese) ↗ Under '表示情報 → 避難情報' (display info → evacuation info), look for '開設中の全ての避難施設' (all currently open evacuation facilities). The ward-by-ward table also has shelter information.	Sapporo official map guide (in Japanese) ↗ Select the ward you're in to find evacuation sites. Check the disaster-prevention portal separately to see whether the facilities listed here are currently open.	Sapporo · Finding Korean-language guidance (auto-translated Korean) ↗ Select '한글(자동 번역)' (Korean auto-translation). You'll find disaster guidance for tourists and JR/bus transportation information.

For the latest status, open the links above and check the official sites. Look at when announcements were issued and which areas they cover; if you're told to evacuate on-site, follow that guidance first.

If you're visiting 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' (my town hazard map), and find the area you're visiting. It connects to the area's official disaster maps. Check the city, ward, or town office website separately for currently open shelters.

Fujikawaguchiko Town · 富士河口湖町

If you're visiting a mountainous area like Fujikawaguchiko, consult the town's disaster-prevention guidance and ask your lodging's staff where to stay and how to get there. A map may show the nearest route, but it could be closed on-site.

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

Can foreign visitors get help at shelters too?

Yes. Foreign visitors can ask for help at shelters too. When you arrive, explain your situation to the registration staff: "I'm traveling and can't get back to my hotel" or "I can't stay at my lodging." If there's no space or you need to go to another facility, ask where to go.

Official sources: Yokohama City · Shelter guidance for foreign residents ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to return home (in Japanese) ↗
Source checked: 2026-10-12

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

Tell them how many people you're with. When registering, write down your name, lodging, and contact information. Also ask where you should stay.
If you need water or food, ask where to get it. Check where the restrooms are and whether you can get a blanket. If you're hurt or need medication, say so right when you register.
Tell them if you have allergies or take regular medication. Mention it if you're pregnant or with small children. Also say so if walking is difficult or you need help getting around.
If you don't understand the guidance, ask again. Ask for interpreter or translation help, and check the notice board for new guidance. Tell staff when you move somewhere else.

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

Official sources: Shinjuku City · Shelter living rules (in Korean) ↗ · Shinjuku City · Earthquakes and evacuation facilities (in Japanese) ↗
Source checked: 2026-10-12

If explanations are hard to follow or registration isn't working, ask for interpreter help. Explain the situation again to the staff member handling registration, or ask JNTO travel assistance (050-3816-2787) for help. If you feel you've been treated unfairly because of your nationality, explain the situation to the local government's consultation desk and your country's embassy or consulate.

If speaking Japanese is hard, show staff these phrases

Pick the phrase you need below and show it to staff.

What you want to say	Show this to staff
I'm a traveler. I can't get back to my lodging.	旅行者です。宿泊先に戻れません。
Where is the shelter that's open 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'd like to request 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'm hurt. I'd like medical treatment.	けがをしています。医療の支援が必要です。
I lost my passport.	パスポートをなくしました。

119 & JNTO travel assistance → · What to do when you lose your passport →

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign travelers ask for help at shelters?

Yes. Foreign visitors can ask for help at shelters. Tell the registration staff, "I'm traveling and can't stay at my lodging." If there's no space or you need to go elsewhere, ask where you can stay.

Official sources: Yokohama City · Shelter guidance for foreign residents ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to return home (in Japanese) ↗
Source checked: 2026-10-12

Are all the shelters on the map open right now?

No. Being on the map doesn't mean it's open now. Check the shelter-opening notices from the area's city or ward office, and on-site guidance. Also keep straight the difference between an evacuation site for escaping immediate danger and a shelter for staying afterward.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Evacuation site and shelter maps (in Japanese) ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to return home (in Japanese) ↗
Source checked: 2026-10-12

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.