Do this now

Follow these steps in order.

  1. 01

    Drop low, protect your head and neck, and shelter under a sturdy table if one is within reach.

  2. 02

    Stay away from windows, shelves, signs and anything that may fall; do not use an elevator or run for the stairs while shaking continues.

  3. 03

    Near the coast or a river mouth, evacuate toward higher ground immediately after strong or long shaking, or whenever a tsunami warning or advisory is issued.

  4. 04

    When the shaking stops, check for injuries and hazards, expect aftershocks, and use JMA, the Safety tips app, facility staff or local authorities for instructions.

What to know

If you are inside a hotel, shop or restaurant

Stay inside unless staff or authorities direct you to evacuate. Moving glass, ceiling panels, lighting and unsecured furniture can be more dangerous than remaining in a protected position. Do not stand in a doorway simply because it is a doorway; choose protection from falling and flying objects.

Do not reach across a shaking room to turn off a stove. Once the strong movement has stopped and you can approach safely, extinguish an open flame or switch off heat if staff have not already done so. Leave damaged equipment, gas smells and electrical faults to staff or emergency services.

What to know

If you are outdoors

Move away from glass-fronted buildings, exterior signs, vending machines, walls and overhead cables. Protect your head with a bag or clothing and choose an open space without entering the road. In a crowded tourist area, avoid sudden running that may cause falls or crush risk.

What to know

If you are on a train or at a station

Hold a handrail, protect your head and follow announcements. A train may stop automatically for inspection. Do not force open doors, climb onto the track or leave a stopped train unless the crew directs you. At a station, stay behind barriers and follow staff to the designated safe route.

What to know

The first minutes after the shaking

Strong aftershocks may follow. Put on shoes before walking through broken glass, keep clear of damaged walls and slopes, and do not enter a visibly damaged building to collect luggage. Use text or a short status message instead of making repeated calls when networks are congested.

Magnitude describes the earthquake itself; JMA seismic intensity describes the shaking at your location. Base your action on the shaking, tsunami information and local instructions—not on a magnitude number seen without context.

If that does not work

Use the fallback.

  • If mobile data fails, check TV, radio, public-address announcements, station displays or staff instructions.
  • Look for the temporary SSID 00000JAPAN only after operators announce that emergency Wi-Fi has been activated in the affected area.
  • For immediate danger call 110 for police or 119 for fire and ambulance. For multilingual visitor support, use the Japan Visitor Hotline.

Before you need it

Save this offline.

  • A screenshot of this action sequence
  • Hotel name, address, phone number and evacuation route
  • Travel-companion meeting point and one overseas contact
  • Safety tips app, offline map and a charged power bank

Primary evidence

Official sources used

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

Japan Meteorological Agency — Earthquake and tsunami safety guidanceOfficial multilingual safety card covering shaking, tsunami warnings and Japan's seismic intensity scale.
Japan Meteorological Agency — Responding to an Earthquake Early WarningOfficial action guidance and important limits of early warnings.
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.
Tokyo Metro — In case of a major earthquakeOperator guidance for passengers when trains stop during a major earthquake.