What to Do During an Earthquake in Japan: Safety Guide for Travelers, Updated November 8, 2026

Guidance checked: November 8, 2026, at 2:02 a.m. UTC (11:02 a.m. Japan Standard Time, UTC+09:00).

If an earthquake strikes while you are in Japan, protect your head and take cover under a sturdy table if one is nearby. Stay away from windows and falling objects, and do not rush outside while the ground is shaking. If you are near the coast and feel strong or long-lasting shaking, move to high ground as soon as you can do so safely, without waiting for a tsunami warning.

Earthquakes can happen with little or no warning. For Australian travelers, knowing what to do in a hotel, on a train, or by the sea can make the first few minutes less confusing. This guide explains practical actions; it is not a report of a specific earthquake.

Destaques

• During shaking, protect your head and shelter under sturdy furniture when possible.
• Near the coast, strong or prolonged shaking is a reason to evacuate to higher ground immediately.
• Expect aftershocks and follow instructions from local authorities and staff.
• In Japan, call 119 for fire, rescue, or an ambulance and 110 for police.

What should you do when an earthquake starts in Japan?

Act as soon as you feel shaking or receive an earthquake early warning. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) earthquake safety guide recommends protecting your head and sheltering under a table. Move away from glass, shelves, and furniture that could fall, if you can do so safely. Hold on to your shelter and stay protected until the shaking stops.

Do not run into the street during shaking: broken glass, signs, and other objects can fall outside. Do not risk injury trying to turn off a flame. Once the shaking has stopped, check for immediate hazards and follow directions from building staff or emergency responders.

If you are in a hotel room, use the same approach. Afterward, put on shoes if they are within reach, watch for broken glass, and use the stairs if staff direct you to evacuate. Take essential medication and your passport only if they are readily accessible and collecting them will not delay an urgent evacuation.

What if you are outside, on a train, or driving?

Your safest action depends on your surroundings. The JMA's location-specific guidance advises the following:

• On a street: Watch for falling signs and glass and for collapsing block walls. If you are beside a sturdy building, sheltering inside may be safer than remaining exposed to falling debris.
• In a station, store, or other crowded place: Protect your head, stay calm, and follow staff instructions. Do not rush toward exits.
• On a train or bus: Hold a handrail or strap firmly. Follow crew instructions and wait for directions before leaving the vehicle.
• In an elevator: Stop at the nearest floor and get out promptly. If you are trapped, use the emergency call button and wait for help.
• Driving: Turn on your hazard lights, slow down gradually without braking suddenly, and pull over to the left side of the road if the shaking is strong.
• Near mountains or cliffs: Be alert to falling rocks and landslides, particularly after strong shaking.

When should you evacuate because of a tsunami?

If you are near the coast and feel strong shaking or a long, slow earthquake, leave the shoreline and move immediately to higher ground or a designated tsunami evacuation building. Do the same if authorities issue a tsunami warning, even if you did not feel the earthquake. Do not wait to see the water: a nearby tsunami can arrive quickly.

Move away from riverside areas too, because tsunami waves can travel upstream. Follow local evacuation signs and instructions, and go on foot when practical. The JMA's tsunami guidance explains that waves can arrive repeatedly. Stay in a safe place until authorities lift the relevant warning or advisory; the first wave is not necessarily the largest.

What should you do after the shaking stops?

Check yourself and others for injuries, then look for hazards such as damaged walls, broken glass, fire, or the smell of gas. Leave a damaged building when it is safe to do so, and follow evacuation instructions. Be ready to protect yourself again: aftershocks can occur, and damaged structures may be more dangerous during later shaking.

Use official information and local staff to decide whether it is safe to return to your accommodation or continue your journey. Trains, roads, utilities, and phone service may be disrupted after a significant earthquake, so allow extra time and avoid assuming your original route is available. Send a brief message to family when you can, and conserve your phone battery.

For an ambulance, fire, or rescue, call 119; for police, call 110. Australians who need emergency consular assistance and cannot contact an embassy or consulate can call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre from overseas on +61 2 6261 3305. See Smartraveller's Japan advice for contact details and current travel information.

How can travelers prepare before an earthquake in Japan?

At each hotel, locate the stairs, exits, and meeting point. If you are staying near the coast, identify a route to high ground or a designated tsunami evacuation building before you need it. Ask staff about local evacuation arrangements, especially if anyone in your group needs mobility assistance.

Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank, water, essential medication, and a copy of important travel details. Agree on a meeting point and a way to contact your travel companions if you become separated. The Japan National Tourism Organization recommends checking accommodation evacuation routes and keeping devices charged.

Japan lies in an active earthquake region, and earthquakes cannot be reliably predicted by travelers from ordinary signs or social media posts. An early warning may give only seconds, and sometimes shaking can arrive before an alert. Preparation and immediate protective action therefore matter even when no warning has appeared.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stand in a doorway during an earthquake?

Do not make a doorway your default destination. Protect your head and take cover under a sturdy table if one is nearby, following the JMA's guidance for indoor spaces.

Should I leave my hotel immediately?

During shaking, protect yourself indoors and do not rush outside. After it stops, follow staff instructions and evacuate if the building is damaged, authorities tell you to leave, or there is a tsunami or other immediate danger.

Can I return to the beach after the first tsunami wave?

No. Further waves can follow and may be larger. Remain in a safe place until authorities lift the relevant warning or advisory.