Earthquakes in Japan are a common concern, and while they are common, there are steps travellers can take to stay safe.
While they’re not something anyone wants to experience, especially when travelling abroad, natural disasters are always a possibility and something of which you should be mindful. For Japan, the natural disaster that typically comes to mind is earthquakes, as the country has an extensive history with them. Since earthquakes can happen at any time, it’s best to know ahead of time what to do in the off chance that you experience an earthquake in Japan.
Read on for information and advice on staying safe in the event of a Japan earthquake.
Earthquakes in Japan: Some Context
To fully appreciate the likelihood of earthquakes in Japan, it’s best to take a quick look at the country’s history with the phenomenon.
Japan has an extensive history with earthquakes and is actually recorded as experiencing roughly 20 percent of all earthquakes above magnitude 6 on the planet. It’s estimated that the country experiences a tremor once every five minutes, resulting in around 2000 noteworthy earthquakes each year. 
Looking back through Japan’s history, there are countless major earthquakes that have struck over the years. The earliest referenced one is from 416 in the Nara Prefecture, and there are detailed records of Japanese earthquakes from as far back as 1892. These seismic shocks have not relented over the centuries, either, with two earthquakes of magnitude 7 having already been recorded for Japan in 2021.
The largest earthquake in recent memory was the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake (often referred to as 3.11), which had a magnitude of 9.1, making it one of the top five strongest earthquakes in the world since records began. It was this earthquake and its subsequent tsunami that caused the tragic Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, with the earthquake estimated to have a death toll of almost 20,000 deaths.
Why Are There So Many Earthquakes in Japan?
Clearly, earthquakes are a frequent issue in Japan, but why is that? Earthquakes are the result of shifting tectonic plates that cause deep-seated stresses in the crust and upper mantle of the Earth.
Japan has the unfortunate honour of sitting on top of four overlapping continental plates: the Pacific, the Philippine, the Eurasian and the North American plate. As such, it’s far more likely to experience seismic activity than most places around the world, and is also home to a generous number of volcanoes and hot springs. These frequent eruptions are also why Japan experiences tsunamis, as they are caused by earthquakes occurring along its extensive coast.
What to Do During an Earthquake: Scenario Guide
The core principle in any earthquake is Drop, Cover, Hold — get low, protect your head, and hold on. How you apply that principle depends on where you are.
If you're in a building (hotel, restaurant, shop)
Stay inside. Moving toward exits or stairwells during active shaking is one of the most dangerous things you can do, as falling debris concentrates near doorways and stairwells. Move away from windows and large furniture. Get under a sturdy table or desk if one is nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms, and hold on until the shaking stops. Modern earthquake-resistant buildings are widely deployed across Japan, so if you are in such a building during an earthquake, do not go outside until it is safe. Never use elevators during or immediately after a tremor.
If you're on a JR train or Shinkansen
Hold onto a handrail or overhead strap firmly. If you're seated, stay in your seat and brace with your arms. Do not attempt to move between carriages. The train may stop abruptly between stations — this is the automatic seismic braking system activating. Once the train has stopped, listen to crew announcements and follow their instructions. Service will resume once the line has been safety-checked, or you will be guided to the nearest station.
If you're outdoors
Move away from buildings, utility poles, walls and trees, all of which can shed debris or collapse during strong shaking. Open ground — a park, a wide road — is ideal. Crouch low and protect your head. Do not attempt to run; most earthquake injuries outdoors come from falls rather than structural collapse.
If you're near the coast
This is the situation that calls for the most immediate action. If the Japan Meteorological Agency expects a tsunami to cause damage, it issues a warning approximately three minutes after an earthquake, and when there is strong or long-lasting vibration near the coast, you should begin evacuating to higher ground without waiting for an official warning. Move inland and uphill immediately, and do not return to the coast until authorities have formally cancelled the tsunami warning.
General Safety Tips for Travellers
Download the JNTO Safety Tips app before you travel. It's available in multiple languages and delivers real-time earthquake, tsunami and weather alerts directly to your phone. Registering a Japanese SIM or data connection also means you'll receive Japan's national emergency alerts automatically.
Stay connected while you travel. In an emergency, being able to access maps, alerts and translation tools is invaluable. A Pocket WiFi device keeps you online anywhere in Japan — including areas with limited free WiFi coverage.
Follow the lead of locals and staff if you're in a public place. Japanese people have earthquake preparedness drilled from childhood, and staff at hotels, stations and tourist sites are trained in emergency procedures. If they're moving calmly and purposefully, follow them.
Know where your nearest evacuation point is. Japanese cities post evacuation route maps at train stations and on street corners. Spending 30 seconds locating the nearest one when you arrive somewhere new costs nothing.
After any significant earthquake, expect train disruptions. JR lines carry out safety inspections before resuming service after a major tremor. Delays of minutes to hours are possible. Having the JR Pass means you can board the next available service without worrying about rebooking — just wait for the all-clear.
How to Stay Informed During an Emergency
Japan's infrastructure for communicating during emergencies is excellent, and several tools are specifically designed to help international visitors.
The JNTO Safety Tips app (available here) guides in multiple languages based on the type of emergency you're facing — earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis — along with useful Japanese phrases for communicating with local emergency services and bystanders. It pulls live data from the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The Japan Meteorological Agency website (jma.go.jp) provides real-time earthquake data and issues tsunami warnings. Its information is authoritative and updated within minutes of any significant event.
Your embassy or consulate will also issue advisories for major events — it's worth saving their contact details before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What does a minor earthquake feel like in Japan?
A small tremor typically feels like a brief rumble or swaying, similar to a heavy vehicle passing nearby. You might notice hanging lights or water in a glass moving slightly. Minor earthquakes in Japan often last only a few seconds and cause no damage. Many visitors experience one during a longer stay and barely register it.
2. What is the Shindo scale?
The Shindo scale is Japan's way of measuring the intensity of shaking at a specific location, rather than the energy released by the earthquake overall (which is what the Richter scale measures). It runs from Shindo 1 (barely perceptible) to Shindo 7 (violent). Most of the tremors you might feel as a visitor in a major city are Shindo 1 or 2 — noticeable but not alarming.
3. What should I do if a tsunami warning is issued?
Move to higher ground immediately — don't wait to assess the situation yourself. Head inland and uphill, away from rivers, beaches and low-lying coastal areas. Japan posts tsunami evacuation route signage widely in coastal towns. Stay elevated until the Japan Meteorological Agency officially cancels the warning, as tsunamis can arrive in multiple waves over several hours.
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