Earthquakes in Japan: That brief tremor changes everything during your trip

Three years ago, I experienced a magnitude 4 earthquake while sleeping in a hotel during my trip to Tokyo.

The bed shaking up and down was truly terrifying.
It was a type of tremor I had never experienced in Korea.

But what was even more frightening was that during those brief 30 seconds, I had no idea what to do.
Should I get out of bed? Should I go outside? Can I take the elevator? All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind, but there was no clear answer.

Fortunately, that earthquake ended without major damage, but since then, whenever I travel to Japan, I've developed the habit of learning about earthquake preparedness in advance.Japan experiences
approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually. Most are small, but major earthquakes of magnitude 5 or higher occur on average 1-2 times each year.It's not about
"I'll be lucky if I don't encounter a big earthquake during my trip to Japan"; it's about being prepared.

So, in this article, I've summarized Japan's earthquake intensity system, what to do in different situations, essential apps and contacts, tsunami response, and pre-departure preparations.Read
it once, and you'll be able to react calmly in a real crisis.

📑 Table of Contents

1. The Reality of Earthquakes in Japan: How Often Do They Occur?
2. Emergency Earthquake Warning: The Meaning of That Alarm
3. Earthquake Response by Situation
4. Why Tsunamis Are More Frightening
5. Must-Have Apps
6. What to Check When Checking into a Hotel
7. Actions to Take After an Earthquake
8. Korean Embassy/Consulate Contact Information
9. Earthquake Preparedness Kit
10. Earthquake Preparedness Checklist Before Departure

🌐 The Reality of Earthquakes in Japan: How Often Do They Occur?

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Knowing the exact data can change your mindset.

💡 Understanding Japan's Seismic Intensity System

Unlike the Richter scale (M) used in Korea, Japan uses a 10-level system of seismic intensity (震度) from 0 to 7.

An intensity of 4 or higher is shocking for Koreans. At 5-Lower or higher, you should take a full evacuation posture.

💡 Earthquake-Prone Regions and Times

• Kanto (Tokyo area): Ongoing concern about a direct hit earthquake under the capital
• Tohoku: Affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
• Nankai Trough: Large earthquake expected within the next 30 years (includes Osaka and Kyoto)
• Timing: No seasonality, can occur anytime

When I first went to Japan, I thought, "I'll be unlucky if I encounter an earthquake."But after
seeing the statistics, I realized: it's lucky if you go to Japan and don't feel an earthquake.

📱 Emergency Earthquake Warning: The Meaning of That Alarm

If your phone suddenly rings frantically in Japan and you hear an alarm sound on TV, that's an Emergency Earthquake Warning (EEW).

🚨 What is an Emergency Earthquake Warning?

• A pre-earthquake warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency
• Issued when an intensity of 4 or higher is expected
• Warns seconds to tens of seconds before the main tremor arrives
• Automatically broadcast on TV, radio, and mobile phones
• Immediately identifiable by its unique alarm sound (chime)

💡 What to do immediately when the alarm sounds

Time is short, so you need to react instinctively.

1. Drop, cover, and hold on to protect your head
2. Get under sturdy objects (tables, desks)
3. Move away from windows and glass
4. Turn off gas/electricity if in use (only if possible)

💡 If you don't hear the alarm

Travelers might not receive the alarm if they don't have a Japanese phone. Therefore:
- Safety Tips app (supports Korean) is essential to install
- Data roaming/SIM must be maintained
- Check the charging status of your Wi-Fi egg

I went with my Korean phone, and it still picked up the Japanese carrier signal and the alarm sounded.
But to ensure you receive it, the Safety Tips app is the answer.

⚠️ Tsunami Warning (Different Alarm)

• Issued by the Meteorological Agency approximately 3 minutes after an earthquake
• If shaking lasts for more than 1 minute, it's a sign of tsunami risk
• Immediately start evacuating to higher ground

🎯 Earthquake Response by Situation

Even the same earthquake requires completely different responses depending on where you are.

🏨 In a Hotel Room

1️⃣ Immediately drop to a low posture
- Get on the floor next to the bed
- Protect your head with a pillow or blanket

2️⃣ Wait until the shaking stops
- Open the door to secure an exit (if possible)
- Stay away from objects on furniture that might fall

3️⃣ Put on shoes when shaking stops
- Lots of broken glass/objects
- Never go barefoot

4️⃣ Use stairs to evacuate
- Absolutely no elevators
- Follow hotel staff instructions

🛒 In a Shopping Mall/Department Store

• Avoid narrow aisles between display shelves
• Move towards pillars or walls
• Watch out for falling objects overhead (lights, signs)
• Drop to a low posture and wait
• Follow staff instructions after the shaking stops

🚇 On a Subway/Train

• Japanese trains have an automatic stop system that activates
• Hold on tightly to handrails and lower your center of gravity
• If seated, duck your head
• Never force open doors
• Wait for announcements from the crew (Japanese → English order)

🚌 On a Bus/Taxi

• Hold on tightly to handrails/seats
• Follow driver's instructions
• Only exit after the vehicle has stopped

🍽️ In a Restaurant

• Get under a table (sturdy one)
• Be careful of dishes and hot food
• In a restaurant with hot food like Gukbap, it's safer to get out quickly.

🚶 On the Street

• Stay away from building walls and signs
• Stay away from vending machines that might fall
• Protect your head with your bag
• Move to a park or open space

🏊 At the Beach

• If shaking lasts for more than 1 minute → Tsunami warning sign
• Walking is faster and safer than driving
• Immediately go to the nearest high ground or upper floors of a hotel
• Never go towards the beach

🎢 At the Airport

• Stay away from windows and hanging signs
• Lay your suitcase down against a wall (as a shield)
• Wait for staff instructions

I once experienced a small earthquake at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, and I was actually surprised by how calm the passengers were. Japanese people are trained from a young age.

🌊 Why Tsunamis Are More Frightening

Tsunamis often cause more significant damage than the earthquake itself.

🌊 The Danger of Tsunamis

• 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake: Approximately 20,000 deaths, most due to tsunami
• Tsunami reached heights of up to 16.7m (height of a 3-4 story building)
• Travels at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour
• The first wave is not necessarily the largest; they continue to repeat

⚠️ Signs of a Tsunami Warning

1️⃣ Shaking lasts for more than 1 minute
The 2011 earthquake shaking lasted for about 3 minutes

2️⃣ An earthquake that shakes for a long time, even if the intensity is weak
A large earthquake occurring far away may have weak intensity but a high tsunami risk

3️⃣ Water suddenly recedes from the beach
The sea retreats further than usual → immediate sign before a tsunami

4️⃣ Official tsunami warning issued
Issued approximately 3 minutes after the earthquake

🏃 Tsunami Evacuation Principles

• Start immediately (go high, not far)
• Walk rather than drive (roads may be blocked)
• Go to the nearest high ground or upper floors of a concrete building
• Don't think, "Will it really reach here?" and go even higher
• Never descend until the warning is lifted

🚫 High-Risk Areas (High Tsunami Risk During Earthquakes)

• Pacific Coast (Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai)
• Coastal cities (Kamakura, Miyazaki, Shizuoka, etc.)
• Island regions (Izu, Okinawa, etc.)

💡 Safe Inland Cities

Japanese travel destinations with less tsunami concern:
- Kyoto (inland, basin)
- Nara (inland)
- Matsumoto (mountainous)
- Takayama (mountainous)

📲 Must-Have Apps

Download these before you depart. It'll be too late once you arrive.

🥇 Safety Tips (Essential #1)

• Official free app from the Japan Tourism Agency
• Supports 15 languages, including Korean
• Emergency Earthquake Warnings, Tsunami Warnings, Weather Warnings
• Evacuation flowcharts
• Emergency phrases
• App designed for foreign travelers

🥈 NHK WORLD-JAPAN (Essential #2)

• App for NHK's international channel, Japan's public broadcaster
• Alerts for earthquakes of intensity 5-Lower or higher
• Tsunami warnings, emergency news flashes
• 19 languages (including Korean)
• Most reliable source

🥉 Yurekuru Call

• Specialized earthquake early warning app
• Displays a countdown (how many seconds until shaking arrives)
• Supports both iPhone and Android
• Japanese interface but simple to use

🌟 Yahoo! Japan Disaster Alerts

• Japan Yahoo's comprehensive disaster prevention app
• Integrates all disaster types: earthquakes, typhoons, floods
• Primarily Japanese, but alarms are intuitive

💡 Recommended Installation Combination

• Safety Tips + NHK WORLD = Minimum combination
• For extra safety: + Yurekuru Call

When I went to Tokyo, I installed Safety Tips + NHK WORLD, and both worked well. NHK was faster, and Safety Tips provided more user-friendly guidance in Korean.

🏨 What to Check When Checking into a Hotel

When you arrive at your hotel, invest just 30 seconds to check these things.

✅ Check-in Confirmation (30-second investment)

1️⃣ Emergency Evacuation Route Location
- Emergency diagram posted behind the room door
- Check the route from your room to the emergency stairs
- Usually more than two evacuation routes

2️⃣ Emergency Stair Location
- Next to the elevator or at the end of the hallway
- Actually go and check it once

3️⃣ Shelter Location
- Ask hotel staff
- Usually a nearby school or park
- "Hinanjo (避難所) wa doko desuka?" = "Where is the shelter?"

4️⃣ Flashlight Location Check
- Most hotels provide emergency flashlights
- Usually next to the bed or in a desk drawer

💡 Additionally in the Room

• Keep shoes next to the bed (so you can put them on immediately in case of an earthquake)
• Keep your passport close by (you'll need to take it during evacuation)
• Keep a bottle of water handy (in case of water supply interruption)
• Organize emergency items in a small bag (wallet, passport, phone)

💡 Room Location Selection Tip

• Lower floor rooms (1st~5th floor) recommended: Faster evacuation
• Higher floors feel the shaking more intensely
• However, very low floors are not recommended in tsunami-prone areas

When I went to a Tokyo hotel, I also took 5 minutes to check the emergency stair location.
Those 5 minutes could be truly crucial.

📋 Actions to Take After an Earthquake

The shaking stopping doesn't mean it's over.

✅ Immediately After Shaking Stops (1-10 minutes)

1. Check for injuries
- Your own and your companions' injuries
- If injured, call 119 (Japan)

2. Put on shoes
- Lots of broken glass/objects
- No bare feet

3. Secure an exit
- Open doors (aftershocks can jam doors)
- Prepare to move to emergency stairs

4. Gas/Electricity
- Hotel staff will handle it if you're in a hotel
- If possible, unplug electronics

🚪 Start Evacuation

1. Absolutely no elevators
- Risk of getting trapped by aftershocks
- Use stairs

2. Protect your head
- Cover your head with a bag or cushion
- Many falling objects

3. Follow instructions
- Prioritize hotel staff instructions
- Follow others (most people will be safe)

4. Minimize luggage
- Only essential items: passport, cash, phone
- Don't delay by packing too much

⏰ Aftershock Preparedness (24 hours)

Aftershocks can continue for several days after the main quake.
- Frequent small tremors after the main quake
- Even weak aftershocks can cause further collapse of damaged buildings
- Assume there won't be 24 hours without shaking

📡 Check Information

• Real-time information via the NHK WORLD app
• Check Japanese trends on Twitter (X)
• Watch TV in the hotel lobby
• Beware of rumors - only trust official information

🏠 Know Your Shelter

• Usually elementary schools, junior high schools, or parks
• In Japanese, "避難所 (Hinanjo)"
• If the hotel is safe, it's better to stay there

📞 Korean Embassy/Consulate Contact Information

This is truly important. One call can help in an emergency.

🇰🇷 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan (Tokyo)

• Main: +81-3-3452-7611: +81-3-3452-7611
• Consular Section (business hours): +81-3-3455-2601: +81-3-3455-2601
• Emergency (24 hours): +81-70-2153-5454: +81-70-2153-5454
• Hours: Weekdays 09:00-18:00

🇰🇷 Major Consulates General

🆘 Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center

• Phone: +82-2-3210-0404 (charged)
• 24-hour operation
• Assistance for incidents/accidents
• Calling from Japan to Korea: Korean language available on mobile phones

🚨 Japan Emergency Contacts

• Police: 110: 110
• Fire/Ambulance: 119: 119
• Coast Guard: 118: 118
• Disaster Dial: 171 (safety confirmation)

💡 What to Save in Advance

• Korean Embassy + nearest Consulate General numbers
• Consular Call Center
• Japan 119/110
• Save to your phone contacts before departure

When I went to Tokyo, I didn't memorize the embassy number, but I saved it as "Embassy" in my contacts. In a crisis, there's no time to search.

🎒 Earthquake Preparedness Kit

Things to add to your usual Japan travel luggage.

🆘 Emergency Bag (Small)

A small bag to keep in your hotel room at all times:
- Passport copy (original with you)
- Cash approx. 10,000-20,000 JPY
- Phone charger/power bank
- Masks/wet wipes
- 500ml bottled water
- Snacks (energy bar, chocolate)
- Portable flashlight (or phone light)
- Whistle (for calling for help)

👕 Clothing Tips

• Comfortable walking shoes for long distances
• Light jacket (for sudden evacuation at night)
• Recommended to sleep in comfortable clothes rather than pajamas in areas prone to major earthquakes

💊 Medications

• Regular medications (blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)
• Painkillers/digestive aids
• Band-aids/antiseptic
• Emergency N95 mask

📋 Document Preparation

• Travel insurance certificate (print + phone)
• Passport copy (distributed in luggage/bag)
• Flight tickets/reservation information printouts
• Write down family emergency contacts on paper

💡 Essential Travel Insurance Check

• Does it cover natural disasters?
• Does it cover travel itinerary changes?
• Medical expense limit
• Must purchase before departure

📋 Earthquake Preparedness Checklist Before Departure

✅ Install Safety Tips app + set location
✅ Install NHK WORLD-JAPAN app + set notifications
✅ Enable Korean earthquake alerts on your phone
✅ Prepare data roaming or Japanese SIM
✅ Pack power bank/charger
✅ Save Korean Embassy in Japan + nearest Consulate General numbers
✅ Save Consular Call Center (+82-2-3210-0404)
✅ Save Japan emergency numbers (110, 119, 118)
✅ Purchase travel insurance (including natural disaster coverage)
✅ Passport copy + digital backup
✅ Assemble emergency bag (cash, flashlight, mask, etc.)
✅ Keep family emergency contacts on paper
✅ Check emergency evacuation routes upon hotel arrival

📚 More Detailed Official Information

Official information regarding earthquake preparedness in Japan can be found below.

• Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Safety Tips Korean
• Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan

The JNTO Safety Tips page provides well-organized information on natural disasters, including Emergency Earthquake Warnings and Tsunami Warnings, in Korean. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan website offers emergency contact information and consular assistance. It's reassuring to check these before you depart.

🌐 In the Moment of Shaking, Stay Calm

Earthquakes in Japan can happen anytime, but you can cope with them if you're prepared.

• Apps → Safety Tips + NHK WORLD are essential to install
• Posture → Drop, cover, and hold on to protect your head, get under something sturdy
• Evacuation → No elevators, use stairs, shoes are essential
• Tsunami → Shaking for more than 1 minute = immediately go to high ground
• Contacts → Embassy/Consular Call Center must be saved

I was truly scared when I first experienced an earthquake.
But since then, installing apps, packing an emergency bag, and checking evacuation routes have become habits.
Once you're prepared, you can naturally focus on your trip.

Before your next trip to Japan, please read this article one
more time.The difference between being prepared and unprepared is decided in those 30 seconds of shaking.For
a trip to Japan, safety comes first, and memories come second.