Earthquake Safety Guide for Japan (2026)

On the afternoon of July 28, 2026, a powerful earthquake measuring up to shindo 7 (magnitude 6.8-7.1) struck Kumamoto Prefecture, leaving fatalities and forcing large-scale evacuations. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and if you’re currently in Kumamoto or elsewhere in Kyushu, please stay alert for aftershocks. This event is a good prompt to lay out what to actually do when an earthquake hits Japan — whether you live here or you’re just visiting.

What to Do the Moment the Ground Starts Shaking

Once shaking reaches shindo 5 or stronger, the basic sequence is the same everywhere:

• Indoors — Drop low and get under a sturdy table or desk to protect your head. Don’t rush outside while the shaking is still happening — falling glass and signage often make the street more dangerous than the room you’re in.
• In an elevator — Press every floor button and get off at the first one that stops. Many newer elevators auto-stop at the nearest floor when they detect shaking, but don’t assume — press the buttons yourself.
• On a train or Shinkansen — Trains brake automatically the moment the earthquake early warning triggers. Hold onto a strap or seat and stay put until staff give instructions. Never force doors open or step onto the tracks yourself.
• Driving — Slow down gradually and pull over to the left shoulder. Leave the engine off but keys in, turn on your hazards, and check a radio for information. If you need to evacuate on foot, leave the vehicle unlocked with the keys inside and take only your vehicle registration.
• Near a coast or river — Even if the shaking felt mild, a tsunami advisory can still be issued. Head to high ground or a designated tsunami evacuation building immediately, and don’t return to the coast until the advisory is lifted.

If You’re Traveling: What Tourists Should Know

Experiencing an earthquake as a visitor is entirely plausible, and a little preparation goes a long way.

• Right after check-in — Take a minute to locate the emergency exits and stairwells. Most hotel rooms post an evacuation route map on the back of the door.
• Earthquake Early Warning (Area Mail) — If your phone is on a Japanese carrier’s network (NTT Docomo, au, SoftBank), you’ll get an automatic alert with a distinctive alarm sound several seconds to tens of seconds before strong shaking arrives, no setup required. Get into a protective position as soon as you hear it.
• Inside malls, stations, or tourist sites — Follow staff instructions; they’re trained for this. It helps to glance at exit signage as you walk in, even when nothing’s happening.
• Travel insurance — Consider a policy that covers earthquake-related injury or trip disruption (like a cancelled flight), arranged before you leave home.

Finding a Shelter, and Multilingual Resources

Japan generally distinguishes between a temporary “designated emergency evacuation site” (open space to escape immediate danger) and a “designated evacuation shelter” (where you stay if your home becomes unlivable). A few resources make both easier to find as a foreign resident or visitor:

• Safety tips app — Built by the Japan Tourism Agency, this free app delivers earthquake early warnings, tsunami advisories, and nearby shelter maps in English and several other languages. Worth installing before you even land.
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN — Live English-language disaster coverage and breaking alerts.
• Local municipal multilingual guides — Search your city/ward’s website for a “multilingual disaster prevention guide” to find shelter locations in English, Korean, Chinese, and more.
• Your embassy or consulate — Save the contact number in your phone before you need it. Embassies typically issue safety check-in guidance to their citizens during major disasters.

A Minimal Emergency Kit Checklist

Residents and travelers reasonably need different levels of preparation:

• For residents — Bottled water (3 days’ worth per person), non-perishable food, a portable charger, a flashlight, a battery radio, any regular medication, cash (card payments fail during power outages), copies of your Residence Card and passport, and a protective hood or helmet.
• For travelers (minimum version) — Your passport (or a copy), a note or screenshot of your hotel and flight details, your travel insurance policy, some cash, a portable charger, and any medication you need.

💡 Run your own numbers — try the Japan Overtime Pay Calculator (2026).

After the Shaking Stops

A few things still need attention once the initial quake has passed:

1. Shut off your gas valve — Close the main valve even if you don’t smell gas, and don’t turn it back on until it’s been inspected.
2. Expect aftershocks — They can continue for days, sometimes weeks, after a major quake. Keep checking Japan Meteorological Agency updates.
3. Check in with family and friends — Phone lines get congested fast; use the disaster message board service (dial 171) or social media instead.
4. Document any damage — If your home or belongings were affected, photograph everything before you start cleaning up, for your insurance claim.
5. If you’re traveling — Check your airline’s or JR’s official site for service status before heading to a station or airport, and contact your embassy if you need to confirm you’re safe.

💡 Tip: Estimate Your Fire & Earthquake Insurance Premium

If you live in Japan, it’s worth checking whether your current coverage actually includes earthquake damage. Our Japan Fire & Earthquake Insurance Calculator estimates your annual premium from your building structure, location, and appraised value.

This article is for general disaster-preparedness information only. In an actual emergency, always prioritize official guidance from the Japan Meteorological Agency, your local municipality, and on-site announcements over anything written here. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Kumamoto earthquake.