๐ Emergency Numbers in Japan
Disaster & Emergency Transit Guide
Japan experiences earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. Knowing what to do โ especially with public transport shut down โ can save your life.
๐ถ CRITICAL: Get an eSIM Before Your Trip
During disasters, phone lines jam but data often still works. An eSIM means you can receive J-Alert earthquake warnings, find evacuation routes on Google Maps, and contact family without a local SIM card.
Get eSIM (activate before landing) โ*Affiliate link โ we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
๐๏ธ Earthquake โ What to Do
๐ If You're Indoors
- 1. Drop, Cover, Hold On โ get under a sturdy table
- 2. Stay away from windows and shelves
- 3. Don't rush for exits during shaking
- 4. After shaking stops, check for injuries
- 5. Turn off gas stoves to prevent fire
- 6. Follow staff instructions to evacuate if needed
๐ If You're on a Train
- 1. Trains stop automatically during earthquakes
- 2. Hold on to straps or poles
- 3. Do NOT try to exit between stations
- 4. Wait for staff instructions (usually in Japanese + English)
- 5. If evacuating, follow staff to the nearest station
๐ถ After the Earthquake โ Transport Shutdown
After a major earthquake, all trains and subways in the affected area stop for safety checks. This can last several hours or even days. You may become a "ๅธฐๅฎ ๅฐ้ฃ่ " (kiteiku konnan-sha) โ a person unable to return home.
- โ Do NOT start walking home immediately โ wait for official guidance
- โ Find the nearest ๅธฐๅฎ ๅฐ้ฃ่ ๆฏๆดในใใผใทใงใณ (Stranded Commuter Support Station)
- โ Large train stations, shopping malls, and city halls act as support centers
- โ They provide water, food, blankets, and information
๐ข Stranded Commuter Support Stations
Japan has a nationwide network of "ๅธฐๅฎ ๅฐ้ฃ่ ๆฏๆดในใใผใทใงใณ" (Stranded Commuter Support Stations). These are convenience stores, hotels, shopping centers, and public facilities that open their doors to stranded people during disasters.
๐ Typhoon โ Transport Shutdowns
Typhoons are common in Japan from June to October. When a strong typhoon approaches, train companies announce pre-emptive service suspensions.
๐บ How to Know if Your Train is Running
- ๐ JR East: jreast.co.jp โ service status in English
- ๐ Tokyo Metro: tokyometro.jp/en โ real-time status
- ๐ฑ Japan Official Travel App (JNTO) โ disruption alerts
- ๐ฑ Yahoo!ไนๆๆกๅ โ real-time disruption info (Japanese)
๐ Finding Evacuation Shelters
๐ฑ Useful Apps
- โข Safety tips (Government of Japan) โ multilingual alerts
- โข NHK World โ English news and alerts
- โข ๅ จๅฝ้ฟ้ฃๆใฌใคใ โ nationwide shelter guide
- โข Google Maps โ search "evacuation center near me"
๐ฃ๏ธ Useful Japanese Phrases
- โข ้ฟ้ฃๅ ดๆใฏใฉใใงใใ๏ผ โ Where is the evacuation shelter?
- โข ๅฉใใฆใใ ใใ โ Please help me!
- โข ใใไบบใใใพใ โ There is an injured person
- โข ่ฑ่ชใ่ฉฑใใไบบใฏใใพใใ๏ผ โ Does anyone speak English?
๐ก๏ธ Travel Insurance โ Essential for Japan
Medical costs in Japan can be very high without insurance. Cover yourself against trip cancellation due to disasters, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.
Get Travel Insurance โ*Affiliate link โ we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
๐จ Stranded? Book an Emergency Hotel
When transport shuts down, nearby hotels fill up fast. Search and book now before everything sells out โ many stations have hotels directly above them.
Find Hotels Near Stations โ*Affiliate link โ we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.