Earthquake in Japan: What Tourists Should Do
Quick answer
Drop, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. Do not run outside. After it stops, check for hazards, follow staff instructions, and watch alerts. Japan sends loud warnings to most phones.
What do I do in the first 60 seconds?
Earthquakes are common in Japan, and most are small. For a strong one, your actions in the first minute matter most. Memorise this simple sequence.
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shaking starts | Drop, cover under a sturdy table, hold on | Falling objects cause most injuries |
| During shaking | Protect head and neck; stay away from windows and shelves | Glass and furniture can fall |
| During shaking | Do not run outside | Objects fall from buildings near exits |
| If in bed | Stay, cover your head with a pillow | Moving in the dark is dangerous |
| If outdoors | Move to an open area away from walls and signs | Walls and signs can collapse |
| If driving | Slow down, pull over, stop, stay inside | Sudden stops are unsafe |
The simple rule used across Japan is Drop, Cover, Hold On. Stay where you are until the shaking fully stops.
How do the alerts work, and what does the sound mean?
Japan has an Earthquake Early Warning system. When strong shaking is expected, it sends a loud alert to most phones connected to Japanese networks. You may hear it before you feel anything.
- The alert is often in Japanese, with a distinctive chime. Learn to recognise the sound — it means take cover now.
- You usually get only a few seconds, sometimes none, depending on how far you are from the source.
- Warnings are not guaranteed for every earthquake or location, so always react to shaking even without an alert.
If you are near the coast and the warning or staff mention a tsunami, move to higher ground or a tall, sturdy building immediately and stay there until officials say it is safe. Do not return to the shore to watch.
What should I do after the shaking stops?
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check for injuries | Help yourself first, then others around you |
| Watch for hazards | Broken glass, gas smell, fallen objects; keep shoes on |
| Follow staff | Hotel, station, and shop staff are trained for this; follow their guidance |
| Use stairs, not elevators | Until staff confirm elevators are safe |
| Expect aftershocks | They can follow for hours or days and can be strong |
| Avoid phone calls | Lines get busy; use messaging or social apps to tell family you are safe |
If you are told to evacuate, go to the nearest designated evacuation site. Hotels and many public areas show these on maps, often marked with an evacuation symbol.
How do I stay informed in English?
Set this up before you travel, while you have a stable connection:
| Source | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) | Official earthquake and tsunami information in English |
| Safety Tips app (official disaster app) | English alerts for earthquakes, tsunami, and weather |
| NHK World | English news updates during major events |
| JNTO Japan Safe Travel | Visitor-focused safety information and a help line |
Keep your phone charged, carry a power bank, and note your hotel’s address and the nearest evacuation site.
How do I prepare before anything happens?
A few minutes of preparation when you arrive makes a real difference. Do this at the start of your trip and at each new hotel.
| Preparation | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Install a disaster app (Safety Tips) | Get English alerts for quakes, tsunami, and weather |
| Note your hotel’s evacuation map | Hotels post the nearest evacuation site near the lobby or in the room |
| Keep shoes and a charged phone nearby | You may need to move quickly over broken glass |
| Carry a small power bank | Power can be cut after a large quake |
| Save key numbers | 119 (fire/ambulance), 110 (police), your embassy |
| Agree a meeting plan | If travelling with others, pick where to reunite if separated |
You do not need a heavy emergency kit as a tourist. The essentials are a charged phone, a way to get alerts in English, and knowing where to go.
What if I am on a train, in a tall building, or shopping?
Your response changes slightly depending on where you are:
- On a train: trains stop automatically for strong quakes. Hold a rail or handle, stay calm, and wait for staff announcements. Do not force doors open.
- In a tall building: modern Japanese buildings are built to sway and absorb shaking. Stay inside, take cover, and use stairs, not lifts, afterward.
- In a shop or station: move away from shelves, glass, and hanging signs; take cover and follow staff.
- Underground: stations are relatively safe. Follow staff to the exit calmly once shaking stops.
In all cases, the same rule holds: take cover during the shaking, then follow official instructions once it stops.
Quick reference: earthquake response
| Topic | Detail (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| During shaking | Drop, Cover, Hold On; do not run outside |
| Early warning | Loud alert to most phones seconds before strong shaking |
| Near the coast | If tsunami is warned, move to high ground immediately |
| Elevators | Do not use during or right after a quake |
| Emergency numbers | 119 for fire and ambulance; 110 for police |
| Stay informed | JMA (English), Safety Tips app, NHK World, JNTO Safe Travel |
| Aftershocks | Likely; stay alert for hours to days |
This is general safety information, not a substitute for official instructions. In an emergency, follow the guidance of local staff and authorities, and check the official JMA and Japanese government sources for current information.
FAQ
What should I do the moment an earthquake starts?
Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops. Protect your head and neck. Stay away from windows, shelves, and anything that could fall. Do not run outside while the ground is shaking, as falling objects near buildings are dangerous.
Will my phone warn me before an earthquake in Japan?
Often, yes. Japan's Earthquake Early Warning system sends a loud alert to most phones on Japanese networks seconds before strong shaking arrives. The warning may come in Japanese, so learn the sound. It gives you a few seconds to take cover. The warning is not guaranteed for every quake or location.
Is it safe to use elevators during or after an earthquake?
No. Do not use elevators during shaking. If you are in an elevator when one starts, press the buttons for all floors and get out at the first one that opens. After a quake, use stairs until staff confirm elevators are safe.
What should I do after the shaking stops?
Check yourself and others for injuries. Watch for gas smells, broken glass, and damage. Follow instructions from hotel staff, station staff, or announcements. Keep shoes on. Stay informed through official alerts, and be ready for aftershocks, which can be strong.
Where do I get reliable earthquake information in English?
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) publishes earthquake and tsunami information in English. The JNTO Japan Safe Travel information and the NHK World service also give updates for visitors. Install a disaster app such as the official Safety Tips app before you travel.