Do this now

Follow these steps in order.

  1. 01

    Onboard, hold on, protect your head and follow crew instructions; do not operate doors or step onto tracks.

  2. 02

    After the shaking, check the official status of the exact rail operator, airport, airline or road—not a national summary alone.

  3. 03

    Keep a safe indoor place while inspections continue and avoid joining crowds around closed station entrances.

  4. 04

    Rebook or relocate only after the alternative route and destination accommodation are confirmed.

What to know

A stopped train is following a safety process

Railway systems may stop automatically when strong motion is detected. Crews and control centers then check tracks, tunnels, bridges, power and signaling. The delay may extend well beyond the shaking, and another operator on a parallel route may have a different status.

What to know

Do not self-evacuate from a train

Tracks can remain live, tunnels have restricted walking space and adjacent trains may move. Tokyo Metro instructs passengers not to force their way out and to evacuate only under crew guidance when a train cannot proceed.

What to know

Airports and roads need separate confirmation

An airport terminal may remain open while rail access, one runway or individual flights are disrupted. Roads may close for inspection, landslides, liquefaction or emergency access. Confirm the airport, airline, bus company, expressway and destination separately.

What to know

Staying put can be the safer transport decision

After a major urban earthquake, immediate walking can add crowding and expose you to aftershocks, falling glass and blocked roads. If the building is safe, remain with staff until a temporary accommodation facility or verified route is available.

If that does not work

Use the fallback.

  • Ask the hotel to extend the room before joining a queue elsewhere.
  • If a station is closed, use the operator website or staff information rather than repeatedly approaching the entrance.
  • If no safe route is confirmed, prioritize shelter, water, medication and charging over reaching the next booked city.

Before you need it

Save this offline.

  • All operating companies on the itinerary
  • Airline and hotel booking references
  • One alternative night near each major transfer point
  • Offline map that shows rivers, coast and steep terrain

Primary evidence

Official sources used

Open these pages again before travel. External links lead to the responsible Japanese authority or transport organization.

Tokyo Metro — In case of a major earthquakeOperator guidance for passengers when trains stop during a major earthquake.
JNTO — Staying safe in JapanOfficial visitor guidance for earthquakes, coastal evacuation, emergency information and preparation.
Japan Tourism Agency — Safety tips appOfficial app information for multilingual earthquake, tsunami, evacuation and other disaster notifications.
Japan Meteorological Agency — Current earthquake informationOfficial multilingual list of recent earthquakes and observed seismic intensities.