Preparing for earthquakes in Japan: apps, kits and local advice

Japan’s earthquakes can range from a brief, harmless tremor to a major event followed by a tsunami. Most visitors will never experience a serious disaster, but a little preparation makes it easier to respond calmly in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Okinawa, or a smaller regional town.

Australian travellers are used to checking weather warnings, fire danger ratings, and road conditions before a trip. Earthquake preparation works in a similar way: install reliable alerts, understand the building you are staying in, and keep essential supplies close enough to reach without searching.

Check the risks before departure

Japan sits on several active tectonic boundaries, so earthquakes are possible across the country. Coastal areas, including parts of Tohoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido, and the Pacific coast near Tokyo, may also face tsunami risk. Inland destinations can still experience strong shaking, even when they are far from the sea.

Before flying from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or another Australian city, check the Australian Government’s Smartraveller advice for Japan. Save your travel insurance details, passport information, accommodation address, and emergency contacts offline. Travel insurance should cover medical care, cancellations, transport disruption, and natural disasters.

Your hotel or holiday rental will usually have an evacuation map. Look at it when you arrive rather than waiting for an emergency. Note the nearest stairwell, open evacuation area, fire alarm, and higher ground if you are staying near the coast.

Set up alerts before leaving Australia

Japan’s official warnings may appear in Japanese first, while tourist-focused services provide multilingual guidance. Download apps at home, update them, and test notifications before your flight. Mobile coverage can become congested after a major earthquake, so do not depend on a single app or a constant internet connection.

Useful options include the Japan Tourism Agency’s Safety tips app, NHK WORLD-JAPAN, and the Japan Meteorological Agency’s earthquake and tsunami information. Some travellers also use earthquake alert services such as Yurekuru Call, although availability and features can vary by device and location.

Keep a paper note in your wallet with your hotel name, address, and a Japanese translation. Screenshots are helpful when your phone battery is low or a network is unavailable.

Useful digital preparations

• Install multilingual earthquake and tsunami alert apps before arrival.
• Save Japan’s emergency numbers: 110 for police and 119 for ambulance or fire.
• Learn how to use Japan’s Disaster Emergency Message Dial, 171, if phone networks are operating.
• Download offline maps for your destinations and mark stations, hospitals, hotels, and open spaces.

Pack a compact emergency kit

You do not need to bring a full disaster pack from Australia. Japanese convenience stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, and railway stations sell many useful items. A small personal kit is still worthwhile because shops may close temporarily, trains may stop, and queues can form after a strong earthquake.

Australian travellers should remember that Japan uses Type A and Type B power outlets and a 100-volt electrical system. Australian Type I plugs will generally need an adaptor, and some appliances may not be suitable for Japan’s voltage. A charged power bank is often more useful than carrying extra electronic equipment.

Keep medication in its original packaging and bring enough for the trip, plus a small reserve. Japan has rules for importing some prescription medicines, so check the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requirements before departure.

Practical items for your day bag

• A power bank, charging cable, and plug adaptor suitable for Japan.
• Bottled water, compact snacks, prescription medicine, and basic first aid supplies.
• A small torch, dust mask, tissues, wet wipes, and sturdy enclosed shoes.
• Copies of your passport, insurance policy, accommodation details, and emergency contacts.
• A little cash in Japanese yen, since card machines and ATMs may be unavailable.

Know what to do during shaking

When shaking starts indoors, stay inside and protect your head and neck. Move away from windows, shelves, glass, hanging signs, and tall unsecured furniture. If you are in a hotel room, get under a sturdy desk or beside a strong piece of furniture rather than running immediately into a corridor.

In a train, station, shopping centre, or airport, follow staff instructions. Do not rush for the exit or use lifts. Japanese buildings and public transport systems commonly have established earthquake procedures, and staff may direct people to safer areas. At Tokyo Station, Kansai International Airport, or a busy shopping district, pushing toward a doorway can create more danger than waiting for instructions.

If you are outdoors, move away from buildings, walls, billboards, trees, and power lines. In a crowded street, watch for falling glass and signs. Once the shaking stops, expect aftershocks and check for injuries, smoke, broken gas lines, or blocked exits before moving.

Respond quickly to tsunami warnings

If you are near the coast and feel strong or long-lasting shaking, move inland or to higher ground as soon as it is safe. Do not wait for a siren if local advice already tells you to evacuate. A tsunami may arrive in several waves, and the first wave is not necessarily the largest.

Japanese coastal towns use signs showing tsunami evacuation routes and designated buildings. In places such as Sendai, Kamakura, Kochi, or parts of Okinawa, these signs may lead to hills, schools, community centres, or reinforced high-rise buildings. Ask hotel staff where to go, and follow official announcements rather than returning to the waterfront to take photographs.

A tsunami warning can remain active after the initial earthquake. Stay away from beaches, harbours, rivers, and estuaries until authorities announce that the danger has passed. Trains and roads may be suspended, so be prepared to remain in the evacuation area for several hours.

Use local information and reconnect safely

Japanese municipal offices, railway companies, airports, hotels, and convenience stores often provide practical updates during a disaster. Announcements may be in Japanese and English, particularly in major tourist areas. Look for information boards, staff instructions, and official social media rather than relying on rumours shared in crowded stations.

If you are separated from companions, agree on a meeting point before sightseeing. A hotel lobby may be unsuitable if the building is damaged or access is restricted, so choose a nearby open space identified by local authorities. Send a short text message instead of repeatedly calling, which can add pressure to congested networks.

Dial 119 for an ambulance or fire service and 110 for police. Give your location using a station name, landmark, hotel address, or map pin. In an immediate emergency, ask a Japanese speaker, hotel employee, police officer, or shop worker to help communicate your needs.

Save your alert apps, emergency numbers, and accommodation details before your trip, then take five minutes after checking in to locate the stairs and evacuation map. That simple routine lets you enjoy Japan with greater confidence while giving local instructions the attention they deserve.