A Typhoon Warning Just Hit Your Phone: What to Do as a Tourist

A typhoon warning is on your phone: what does it mean and what do you do?#

Loud alerts, closed shops, and stopped trains can be alarming when you do not read Japanese. The good news: typhoons are forecast days ahead, and the main rule is simple — the higher the warning, the more you should stay put and indoors. Start by finding out which level is in force.

Japan uses a three-tier weather warning system from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Match the level to what you should do (as of July 2026):

Warning level	Japanese term	What it means	What you should do
Advisory	注意報 (chuiho)	Conditions may cause minor damage	Stay alert, check forecasts, plan indoor time
Warning	警報 (keiho)	Serious disaster is possible	Avoid non-essential travel; stay inside
Emergency Warning	特別警報 (tokubetsu keiho)	Rare, severe threat to life	Protect yourself now; follow local orders

Separately, your local city or ward issues evacuation information on a five-level scale. Level 3 asks older people and those needing help to leave; Level 4 is an evacuation order for everyone in the area; Level 5 means danger is already present and you should secure your safety immediately. If your phone alert or the hotel front desk mentions an evacuation instruction, take it seriously and ask staff what it means for your building.

How do I check if trains and flights will stop?#

The biggest disruption for most tourists is transport. During strong typhoons, Japanese railways use a “planned suspension” (keikaku unkyu / 計画運休) — they announce in advance, often a day before, that trains will stop during a set time window so no one is caught mid-journey.

Here is how to check and react:

1. Open the operator’s official English website or app. Major railways and airlines post service changes in English. Station display boards also show suspension notices.
2. Look for the words “planned suspension” or “suspended.” This tells you the exact hours trains will not run.
3. Do not go to the station during a suspension window. You cannot travel, and crowds build up when service resumes.
4. Wait for the “resumed” notice before heading out. Service often restarts gradually after the storm passes and safety checks are done.
5. For flights, check the airline directly. Cancellations for weather are usually refunded or rebooked free — contact the airline, not the airport.

If a planned suspension covers your travel day, treat your plans as paused. Rebook trains and reserved seats through the operator once services are confirmed running again, and do not rush to the station early.

What do I do if I’m stuck at my hotel during the storm?#

If transport has stopped, the safest choice is almost always to stay where you are until the typhoon passes. A hotel or guesthouse is a solid shelter. Use the calm before and during the storm to get ready.

• Ask the front desk about extending your stay as early as you can — rooms fill fast when many travellers are stranded, and staff can explain the local situation.
• Charge your phone and any power bank. Power can flicker in strong wind; keep devices topped up.
• Fill a water bottle and keep some snacks. Shops and restaurants may close, and deliveries can stop for a day.
• Stay away from windows during the peak, and do not go out to sightsee, film the storm, or check the coast or a river. Flying debris and sudden flooding are the real dangers.
• Keep checking official updates in English — the JMA site for weather, and the transport operator for when services resume.

If local authorities issue an evacuation instruction for your area, follow it and ask hotel staff where the nearest evacuation site is. Most typhoons pass a given area within several hours to a day, and normal life — and trains — usually returns quickly afterward.

Quick reference: typhoon response at a glance#

Keep this summary handy (all as of July 2026):

Topic	Detail
Weather warning levels	Advisory → Warning → Emergency Warning (JMA)
Local evacuation scale	Five levels; Level 4 = evacuation order, Level 5 = immediate danger
Trains stopping	”Planned suspension” (keikaku unkyu), announced ~1 day ahead
Where to check trains	Operator’s official English site/app; station boards
Flight cancellations	Contact the airline; weather cancellations usually refunded/rebooked
During the peak	Stay indoors, away from windows, rivers, coast, and slopes
At your hotel	Extend early, charge devices, keep water and snacks
Typhoon season	Roughly June–October, peak August–September
Emergency call	119 for fire/ambulance, 110 for police (free, 24 hours)

The single most useful habit is to check the JMA forecast a few days before and during your trip, so a coming typhoon is never a surprise. When a warning is in force, stay indoors, keep your phone charged, and follow the official weather and transport updates and any instructions from local authorities.