2026.04.21
Tokyo is one of the world’s leading megacities and a place where you can enjoy safe, comfortable sightseeing. However, Japan is also prone to earthquakes, and the chance of experiencing one during your stay is not zero. There’s no need to be overly afraid, but with the right knowledge and preparation, you can remain calm and act appropriately when it matters. This article presents a disaster preparedness guide to help all travelers visiting Tokyo stay safe.
Important note
Buildings in Japan are constructed to some of the highest seismic standards in the world. Even if you feel shaking, buildings rarely collapse immediately. Above all, stay calm and check your surroundings.
When an earthquake occurs, the most important thing is the basic principle "Get low, protect your head, and stay still". Regardless of nationality, remember the following guidelines.
Stay where you are
Rushing outside is extremely dangerous due to the risk of falling objects (such as signboards and broken glass).
Protect your head
Move away from windows and large furniture, and take cover under a sturdy table or desk to protect your head.
Wait until the shaking stops
Do not move until the shaking subsides; afterward, act calmly and follow in-house announcements and staff instructions.
Do not use elevators
Never use elevators during an earthquake. There is a risk of becoming trapped.
Automatic stop system
In Japan, the railway system automatically makes an emergency stop when it detects an earthquake. Be prepared for a sudden brake.
Hold on firmly
If standing, hold on firmly to a handrail or strap. If seated, lower your posture and protect your head with a bag or a similar item.
Do not get off on your own
Even if the train stops, do not open the doors and step down onto the tracks on your own. Wait for announcements from the crew and evacuate according to their instructions.
Move away from buildings and structures
Move away from nearby buildings, block walls, utility poles, and vending machines. There is a risk of falling signs and window glass.
Move to an open area
If possible, move to an open, safe area such as a park or plaza, lower your posture, and wait for the shaking to stop.
Odaiba, Toyosu, and along the Sumida River—Tokyo has many popular waterfront sightseeing spots. If you encounter an earthquake in these areas, precautions different from those in ordinary urban settings are required.
Be aware of the possibility of tsunamis
Topographically, Tokyo Bay is less likely to receive large tsunamis directly from the open ocean, but a Tokyo metropolitan epicentral earthquake could generate tsunamis up to about 2.5 m. If you feel strong shaking, move to higher ground without waiting for a tsunami warning.
Evacuate to high ground or upper floors of buildings
Move away from the coast and go to the highest place possible. If there is no nearby high ground, it is effective to evacuate to the 3rd floor or above of a reinforced-concrete building.
Check official information
When traveling without local familiarity, rather than deciding to “wait and see,” check signage and announcements around you and keep your attention on moving in a safe direction.
💡 Advice for waterfront areas
For travelers who face language barriers, securing multilingual sources of information is extremely important. Before arriving in Japan, prepare the following apps and services.
Safety tips
A free app supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency. Supports 15 languages and receives Earthquake Early Warnings, tsunami warnings, and emergency weather warnings via push notifications. Also equipped with a disaster response flowchart and communication card functions.
Supports 15 languages · FreeキタコンDX
Tokyo’s system for people who have difficulty returning home. Available in English, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), and Korean, allowing you to check real-time disaster information and the availability of temporary stay facilities. Accessible via the LINE app.
Multilingual supportJapan’s “Shindo” is different from magnitude; it indicates how strong the shaking is at a given location. It is shown in 10 levels from 0 to 7 (with 5 and 6 divided into lower and upper).
💡 Advice for Foreign Travelers
Even for travelers from within Japan, experiencing a disaster in Tokyo, where you may not be familiar with the area, can be unsettling. Make use of the tools you are accustomed to and familiarize yourself with Tokyo’s unique disaster-prevention infrastructure.
Yahoo!防災速報
Receive push notifications for a wide range of hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, heavy rain, and heatstroke. With location-based alerts, you can automatically get information even at your destination.
Free東京都防災アプリ
Includes a feature to check shelters and temporary stay facilities on a map near your current location, which is very useful when you are unfamiliar with the area.
FreeDuring large-scale disasters, telephone lines become congested and it can be difficult to contact family. For safety confirmation, use the “Disaster Message Dial (171)” and the online “Disaster Message Board (web171)”. You can try them on the 1st and 15th of each month, etc., so we recommend confirming how to use them with your family before your trip.
☎️ How to use the Disaster Message Dial
After a major earthquake, trains and subways may suspend operations for a long time for safety checks. Do not force yourself to return to the hotel; please wait at stations, commercial facilities, or at “Temporary Stay Facilities” designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
🚶 What is a Return-Home Support Station?
Even after the shaking stops, beware of aftershocks (earthquakes that follow the main shock). Stay in a safe place and gather accurate information.
During large-scale disasters, telecom carriers provide a service called “00000JAPAN (Five Zero Japan)” that opens public wireless LAN for free.
Open your smartphone's Wi-Fi settings
Select the network name “00000JAPAN”
No password required; connection to the internet is complete
After an earthquake, you may feel anxious and think, “I don't know where to go.” However, when traveling in an unfamiliar area, attempting to move long distances based on your own judgment can be dangerous.
First, check the safety of where you are
Do not force yourself to move far; first confirm whether your current location is safe. If you are in a facility, hotel, or station, check the guidance from staff or attendants.
Check signage and official information
Even when looking for an evacuation site, it is important to act calmly while checking signage and official information. Make use of Tokyo’s temporary stay facilities and Returning-Home Support Stations.
Ask people around you for help
In Japan, there is a culture of helping each other during disasters. If you are in trouble, try speaking to nearby people or store staff. Even if you don't share a language, your smartphone's translation apps can help.
⚠️ Important precautions after an earthquake
| Contact | Phone number | What they handle |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 110 | Report accidents and crimes |
| Fire and Ambulance | 119 | Report fires, request an ambulance |
| Disaster Message Dial | 171 | Record/play safety messages for family members |
| Japan Visitor Hotline | 050-3816-2787 | 24-hour multilingual support by JNTO (EN, CN, KR, JP) |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Government Disaster Prevention website | — | https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/ |
How to make a call
In Japan, 110（police） and 119（fire/ambulance） are free, and you can call them from mobile phones as well. Even if you don't speak Japanese, calling may connect you to an interpreting service. Stay calm and say something like “English please.”
To enjoy your trip to Tokyo with greater peace of mind, it's recommended to do a little preparation before departure. Refer to the checklist below to confirm your preparations before traveling.
If an earthquake occurs while sightseeing in Tokyo, should I go outside immediately?
It depends on the situation. Inside a facility, rather than rushing outside, it may be safer to secure your safety on the spot and follow staff guidance. Buildings in Japan are built to strict seismic standards, so in many cases it is safer to remain indoors.
What should I do if an earthquake occurs while riding a train?
Do not try to get off the train; follow onboard announcements and staff instructions. Railways in Japan are equipped with systems that automatically perform an emergency stop when an earthquake is detected. At stations as well, avoid rushing off on your own and calmly check the information.
Is there anything I should at least prepare before traveling?
It is recommended to charge your smartphone (carry a mobile battery), save your accommodation information, check your map app, and install disaster information apps. When you arrive at the hotel, check the emergency exits and evacuation routes so you can act calmly in case of an emergency.
Even if I don't understand Japanese, can I get information during an earthquake?
Yes. The "Safety tips" app, supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency, supports 15 languages and can receive Emergency Earthquake Alerts and Tsunami Warnings via push notifications. In addition, the Japan Visitor Hotline (050-3816-2787) provides 24-hour support in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
After an earthquake, what should I do if trains stop and I can't get back to my hotel?
Do not try to walk back; please wait at stations, commercial facilities, or "temporary stay facilities" designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. At "Return-Home Support Stations" (marked with a yellow sticker) such as convenience stores and family restaurants, you can access tap water and restrooms.
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