How to Prepare for Natural Disasters in Japan
Japan is located on the Ring of Fire, meaning that the country is often battered by typhoons, earthquakes, landslides caused by heavy rains, floods, and heatstroke-inducing heatwaves. Every year, people die in Japan due to one natural disaster or another.
Experiencing a natural disaster can be a terrifying and disorienting experience. That's why preparing and knowing what to do or where to go in the event of a natural disaster beforehand is important.
How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster
Having the knowledge you need about what to do in the case of an emergency and doing some preparation in advance can be the difference between life and death in these situations, so let's look at a few ways you can prepare.
・Check Your Local Hazard & Emergency Shelter Maps
Hazard maps are available for cities all over Japan and can be checked online. The maps highlight areas that are more prone to or vulnerable to natural disasters, including floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, and even volcanic activity, depending on the area. If you live in Japan, your real estate agent or local city hall/ward office will give you a map with this information. At train stations and other locations, you can find maps showing you the nearest emergency shelters, which also specify which shelter you should go to depending on the emergency.
To check the local hazard map for your area, you can check out the website here (Japanese only).
・Know What Natural Disasters are more Common in your Area
Different regions of Japan are prone to different kinds of natural disasters. Knowing which disasters are more likely to occur where you are can help you stay better prepared.
Since Hokkaido is up north, it is more prone to severe winter storms and heavy snowfall. The Tohoku region is vulnerable to tsunamis, like the one caused by the 2011 earthquake, and also gets hit by heavy snowfall in winter. Kanto, where Tokyo is located, is at a higher risk of being hit by earthquakes. The Chubu region, which includes Nagoya, is more exposed to typhoons, heavy rain, and landslides. Chugoku, the westernmost part of the main island of Honshu, is prone to heavy rain and flooding, especially in areas close to the Seto Inland Sea. Kyushu is often hit by strong typhoons, and areas around Mt. Aso also have to deal with volcanic activity. Finally, Okinawa is regularly hit by strong typhoons and tropical storms.
・Know the High-Risk Seasons
Natural disasters in Japan can happen year-round, but the period between June and October tends to be the most dangerous. Typhoon season, heavy rains, and extreme heat all make this time of year one to be especially cautious.
・Prepare an Emergency Kit
If you live in Japan, keep an emergency kit in your home. Bottled water (ideally several 1L bottles), non-perishable food, some spare cash, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a whistle, extra clothes and shoes, and multi-tools like a Swiss army knife are all good ideas of things to keep in your kit at home. Consider having spare batteries and mobile batteries fully charged and ready to keep your cell phone alive, since your phone may be your only lifeline, depending on the emergency.
In Japan, it is possible to buy pre-assembled emergency kits online on Amazon and other shopping sites, so if you don't have the time to gather some of these items yourself, that is another option.
・Fill Your Bathtub with Water!
This is a useful tip in the event of a typhoon. It's possible that you'll lose power in your home or lose access to running water. If you know a typhoon is coming, fill up your bathtub completely with water that you can use in case of an emergency, be it for washing, flushing the toilet, or whatever else. And while it is better to already have bottles of water ready in your emergency kit, if you are desperate, Japanese tap water is safe to drink.
What to Know About Evacuation Shelters in Japan
If a major disaster strikes, your local government will likely open designated evacuation shelters, which are usually schools, gymnasiums, or community centers. These shelters are open to everyone, including foreigners, but there are a few important things to keep in mind to avoid confusion or added stress.
・Bring your Own Supplies: Don't expect food, water, or bedding to be available immediately. Bring your emergency kit, including essentials like food, water, a flashlight, and any necessary medications.
・Language Barriers: Most shelters are operated by local officials or volunteers who may not speak English. Having a list of useful Japanese phrases or a translation app on your phone will make communication much easier.
・Pets May Not Be Allowed: Unfortunately, many shelters do not permit pets. If you have a pet, research which shelters in your area are pet-friendly in advance. Some cities offer special accommodations for pet owners.
・Limited Privacy: Evacuation shelters are usually large open spaces without private rooms. If you want a bit more comfort, consider bringing a lightweight curtain, blanket, or privacy sheet you can hang.
Useful Resources in Case of an Emergency
You've armed yourself with knowledge of what to do if there is a natural disaster and know where to go if you need to evacuate and have an emergency kit fully stocked and ready in your home. But if a serious storm, flooding, or typhoon warning is issued in your area, or if there is an earthquake, what should you do?
There are many websites in Japan that provide detailed, up-to-date information you need to know if you're worried about a natural disaster hitting or one has already hit. Here are some useful ones to check frequently in these situations so that you can be fully informed on what the current situation is and what you should do.
・Disaster Prevention Portal
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has created a detailed Disaster Prevention Portal filled with information useful for both preparing for natural disasters and for if there is a disaster. It is available in multiple languages and provides links to all kinds of websites, official Twitter accounts, and more based on your location. You can even filter what kind of results you want to see based on the kind of disaster. If you're not sure what specifically to search for or can't find the information you're looking for, this is a great place to start.
Check out the Disaster Prevention Portal by clicking here.
・Japan Meteorological Agency
The Japan Meteorological Agency, which is in charge of monitoring all natural phenomena in Japan (such as weather, typhoons, and other natural disasters) provides accurate, up-to-date information for foreigners in Japan. This information is available in multiple languages, and there are multiple resources available on their website.
If, for example, a typhoon is coming, you can check out their typhoon maps to see whether the typhoon will hit your area and prepare accordingly. If there are heavy rains and flood or landslide warnings are being issued, you can check their risk maps to see if where you are is in a danger zone. This information can be critical in case of an emergency, so be sure to check this site.
Check out the Japan Meteorological Agency website here.
To see the Japan Meteorological Agency's Risk Maps, click here.
・Tokyo Intercultural Portal Site: Natural Disasters
This website features a wealth of easy-to-understand information about natural disasters and what to do in the case of natural disasters. There are disaster-awareness videos you can watch, information about how to prepare for typhoons or heavy rainfall, information about evacuation centers, and more. It's a great resource not only for people living in Tokyo but for anyone living in Japan.
This site is available in multiple languages.
Check out the portal site by clicking here.
・Disaster Preparedness Apps
There are also apps available for download to help you be prepared for natural disasters. Having these apps on your phone is a good idea just in case there is a natural disaster and you need information or assistance.
NHK World-JAPAN: While not exclusively for disaster preparedness, the public broadcaster NHK's app gives you access to domestic and international news, including livestreams. News is available in multiple languages, and in the event of a major natural disaster, the NHK can be a valuable resource for obtaining up-to-date information.
Safety Tips: Developed by the Japan Tourism Agency, this app includes tons of helpful safety tips for travelers in Japan. You'll be able to find information on earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and other potential emergencies. The app also provides a communication card you can use to help you communicate with emergency responders, along with helpful links to emergency contacts and medical facilities.
・Other Communication Tools
In the aftermath of a major disaster, phone networks and internet access can quickly become overloaded or go down entirely. Fortunately, Japan has several systems in place to help you stay connected.
・Disaster Message Board (171): This voice message service is activated during large-scale disasters. Dial 171 and follow the instructions to either leave a message for loved ones or check for messages from them.
・Emergency Wi-Fi: "00000JAPAN" becomes available in many areas during disasters. This is a free, public Wi-Fi network that doesn't require a password. If your mobile signal is out, check for this network.
・Use Apps Instead of Phone Calls: Messaging apps like LINE, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter) often work more reliably than voice calls when networks are congested.
・Municipal Emergency Apps: Many cities and prefectures have their own apps that provide push notifications about earthquakes, flooding, evacuation orders, and more. Some offer multilingual support, so download your local one ahead of time and enable notifications.
・Our Article All About Typhoons
We've prepared an in-depth article about typhoons, including what to expect when one hits, resources that provide the latest updates on weather conditions and evacuation orders, how to prepare for typhoons, and how to protect your home from potential damage.
Be Prepared!
By keeping yourself informed, knowing what to do if there is a disaster, and preparing in advance, you will be ready in the unfortunate event that you find yourself in an emergency. So enjoy your time in Japan, but be smart and be prepared!
