Japan feels a tremor every five minutes, which adds up to about 2000 significant earthquakes each year.
The country ranks as the world’s most seismically active nation, with nearly 1,500 earthquakes yearly. Most go unnoticed by people living there or visiting. Japanese territory accounts for about 20% of all global earthquakes above magnitude 6, making seismic events a fact of life for travelers. One or two major earthquakes strike Japan annually and cause various levels of damage, though most pass without any issues.
Your concerns as a traveler might ease by learning why Japan’s earthquake count runs so high. The country’s earthquake history tells a sobering tale, from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 that took over 100,000 lives to the massive 2011 Tōhoku earthquake (known as 3.11) with its 9.1 magnitude – ranking among the five strongest earthquakes ever recorded. This devastating event claimed nearly 20,000 lives and became history’s most expensive natural disaster, with damage costs reaching $235 billion.
Travelers need to know how to handle an earthquake in Japan – this knowledge could save your life. This piece will give you the practical strategies to prepare, respond, and stay safe during earthquakes, whether you’re visiting Japan for the first time or you’re a frequent visitor to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Understanding Earthquakes in Japan
Japan’s position on Earth’s crust creates perfect conditions for seismic activity. The science behind these tremors helps travelers prepare better for their visits to this geologically active country.
Why does Japan have so many earthquakes?
The country sits at the meeting point of four major tectonic plates—the Pacific, North American, Eurasian, and Filipino plates. This location puts Japan right on the Pacific Ring of Fire. This zone has seen about 90% of the world’s earthquakes in the last 10,000 years.
These massive plates create tremendous pressure beneath Japan as they move. To cite an instance, the Pacific Plate moves westward about 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters) each year. Earthquakes happen when these plates collide, slide past each other, or one plate slides beneath another (subduction).
The subduction speed near Japan’s coast reaches an exceptionally high rate of 10 cm yearly. This makes the area especially prone to seismic events.
How common are earthquakes in Japan?
The country experiences about 1,500 noticeable earthquakes each year. This number represents roughly 10% of all the world’s temblors. Minor tremors occur almost daily, yet residents and travelers barely notice them.
Major earthquakes (measuring 6 or higher on the shindo scale) strike Japan once or twice yearly. The statistics show that earthquakes with magnitude 8 or greater occur approximately every 19 years. Quakes of magnitude 7 or higher happen about every 16 months.
Japan earthquake season and risk zones
Earthquakes don’t follow strict seasonal patterns like typhoons or monsoons. Notwithstanding that, research shows some connection between seasonal factors and seismic activity. Studies suggest that surface hydrological loading, especially winter snow accumulation, can affect earthquake occurrence seasonally.
Some regions face higher earthquake risks than others:
- The Sanriku area (Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi) has seen most important seismic activity historically
- Prefectures along the Sea of Japan coast (Fukui, Ishikawa, Niigata) show high earthquake vulnerability
- The southern Kanto region has a 70% chance of experiencing a massive earthquake (magnitude 7+) within the next 30 years
The government has created detailed hazard maps that identify high-risk zones throughout the country. They use two main approaches: Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Maps and Scenario Earthquake Shaking Maps.
How to Prepare Before an Earthquake
Getting ready for earthquakes in Japan requires preparation before your trip. Major earthquakes strike Japan once or twice every year, so safety measures can protect you.
Know your evacuation routes and shelters
You should understand Japan’s three-tiered evacuation system before your trip. First, find temporary evacuation sites (typically nearby parks or schoolyards) where people gather right after a quake. Larger open evacuation areas become your next destination if needed. Schools or community centers serve as evacuation shelters and provide temporary housing when you can’t return to your accommodation.
Find these evacuation points near your planned accommodations before you arrive. You should walk these routes to become familiar with them. Your hotel might be a designated evacuation shelter—check this detail when booking.
Build a travel-friendly emergency kit
Your travel emergency kit should include:
- Water and food: At least 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person
- Important documents: Passport, residence card, credit cards in waterproof bags
- Cash: Between 10,000-100,000 yen, as ATMs may not function
- Light sources: LED lanterns or headlamps with extra batteries
- First aid supplies: Bandages, disinfectant, and any prescription medications
- Communication tools: Portable radio, battery charger, and whistle for signaling
Secure your accommodation space
Travelers should take simple precautions in their rooms. Check emergency exits as soon as you arrive. Look for sturdy furniture that can provide shelter during a quake, and keep heavy items off high shelves.
Register with your embassy if you’re a foreigner
Your embassy registration becomes crucial during major disasters. Register before your Japan trip so officials can find and help you in emergencies. U.S. citizens can complete their registration online through the State Department website.
What to Do During an Earthquake
Your actions can save your life at the time the ground starts shaking in Japan. Earthquakes hit without warning, so you must know exactly what to do during these critical moments.
Drop, cover, and hold on
You can protect yourself best during an earthquake with these three critical steps:
- Drop to your hands and knees right away. This position keeps you from falling down and helps you stay low.
- Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. Try to crawl under a sturdy table or desk to protect yourself.
- Hold on to your shelter with one hand and be ready to move with it if it shifts around.
People with mobility limitations need to adapt. Wheelchair users should lock their wheels and bend forward to cover their head. Those who use canes should sit down and protect their head with both hands.
Stay away from windows and unstable objects
Without doubt, falling and flying objects pose more danger during earthquakes than building collapse. You should stay away from exterior walls, windows, tall furniture, and hanging objects. Guests in Japanese hotels can use pillows or futons to protect their heads from broken glass or light fixtures.
Safety tips for public transport and driving
Protect your head and stay where you are if an earthquake hits while you’re on a train or bus in Japan. Strong tremors trigger trains to stop automatically. Drivers should pull over right away, away from buildings, trees, and overpasses. The safest place is inside your vehicle with the parking brake on. You should then listen to emergency radio broadcasts to get updates.
When and how to evacuate safely
We learned that rushing outside during shaking puts you at risk since areas near exterior walls face the most danger from falling debris. You should leave only after the shaking stops and use designated routes to reach evacuation sites. People in coastal areas must move to higher ground after a major earthquake because tsunami warnings come within three minutes of big quakes.
The earthquake resistant buildings in Japan make indoor spaces safer than the outdoors. Listen to official instructions on emergency channels and follow evacuation guidance from staff in public facilities.
Staying Safe After the Quake
What happens right after an earthquake can be just as dangerous as the earthquake itself. The ground may have stopped shaking, but you still face several risks that you must address right away.
Avoid elevators and check for aftershocks
Stay away from elevators after a quake, regardless of whether they seem to work. Aftershocks can strike minutes, days, weeks and maybe even months after the main earthquake. Check yourself for any injuries before you help others. Your next step should be to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sturdy shoes to shield yourself from broken objects and debris.
Watch for tsunami warnings in coastal areas
People in coastal areas just need to act fast because of tsunami risks. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) sends tsunami warnings about three minutes after most important earthquakes. Major Tsunami Warnings point to waves that could be higher than 5 meters, while regular Tsunami Warnings suggest 3-meter waves.
Your life could depend on moving to higher ground without waiting for official orders if you feel strong tremors near the coast. Remember that tsunami waves come in multiple rounds, so stay at safe locations until officials lift all warnings.
Use emergency communication services
Japanese cell networks usually stay strong after earthquakes. These emergency services help when connection becomes difficult:
- Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171): This voice message board lets you leave messages for family and friends
- 00000JAPAN: A free public Wi-Fi network that works during emergencies with most devices
- J-Alert: Japan’s emergency system broadcasts vital information through TV, radio and loudspeakers
Get updates from reliable sources like NHK and JMA
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) shares earthquake details and tsunami alerts in English. You can watch NHK World or visit their website for trustworthy updates. JMA offers up-to-the-minute data analysis about earthquakes and tsunami forecasts through their official channels.
Apps that provide real-time alerts and safety tips
These apps could save your life, so download them now:
- Safety tips: Sends alerts about earthquakes and tsunamis in 15 languages including English
- NERV Disaster Prevention: Gives you real-time alerts based on where you are
- Yurekuru Call: Warns you about earthquakes seconds before they hit
Conclusion
Earthquakes are part of life in Japan, but you can reduce potential risks by a lot during your travels with the right preparation and knowledge. This piece explores why Japan experiences frequent seismic activity and gives you practical ways to stay safe before, during, and after an earthquake.
Your best defense against earthquake dangers lies in good preparation. You should know the evacuation routes near your hotel, pack a small emergency kit, and register with your embassy before starting your trip. These basic steps could save your life in an emergency.
The “drop, cover, and hold on” technique will protect you best if an earthquake strikes during your visit to Japan. Keep away from windows and anything that might fall. Wait for the shaking to stop before following evacuation orders. Most people get hurt from falling objects, not building collapses.
You need to stay watchful after an earthquake hits. Look out for aftershocks, stay off elevators, and listen for tsunami alerts near the coast. Technology helps too – earthquake alert apps on your phone give you up-to-the-minute information during emergencies.
Japanese buildings are earthquake-resistant, and the country has detailed emergency response systems from years of dealing with seismic events. This preparation, plus your awareness, will give you peace of mind while exploring Japan despite its geological activity.
Knowledge about earthquake safety shouldn’t take away from your travel experience. You can enjoy Japan’s amazing culture, food, and scenery while feeling confident about handling unexpected seismic events.
The Most Important Things to Remember:
Japan experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually, making earthquake preparedness essential for all travelers visiting this seismically active country.
• Master the “Drop, Cover, Hold On” technique – Drop to hands and knees, cover your head, and hold onto sturdy shelter during shaking • Prepare a travel emergency kit – Pack water, cash (10,000-100,000 yen), important documents, and communication tools before your trip • Know your evacuation routes – Locate nearby evacuation sites and shelters around your accommodation before earthquakes strike • Stay informed with reliable sources – Download Safety Tips app and monitor NHK World for real-time earthquake alerts and tsunami warnings • Avoid immediate evacuation during shaking – Stay inside earthquake-resistant buildings and evacuate only after tremors stop completely
Most earthquake injuries result from falling objects rather than building collapse, so staying calm and following proper safety protocols significantly reduces your risk while traveling in Japan.
FAQs
Q1. What should I do during an earthquake in Japan? Drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you’re in a hotel, protect your head with pillows or futons. Stay away from windows and falling objects, and don’t rush outside during the quake.
Q2. Is it safe to visit Japan considering the frequency of earthquakes? Yes, it’s generally safe to travel to Japan. While earthquakes are common, most are minor and barely noticeable. Japan has advanced earthquake-resistant buildings and comprehensive emergency response systems in place to ensure visitor safety.
Q3. How can I prepare for earthquakes as a traveler in Japan? Prepare a travel emergency kit with water, cash, important documents, and a portable charger. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes near your accommodation, download earthquake alert apps, and register with your embassy before your trip.
Q4. What should I do after an earthquake in Japan? After the shaking stops, be cautious of aftershocks. Avoid using elevators, check for injuries, and follow official instructions. If you’re in a coastal area, be alert for tsunami warnings and evacuate to higher ground if necessary.
Q5. How does Japan educate its population about earthquake safety? Japan emphasizes earthquake preparedness from an early age. Schools conduct regular earthquake drills, teaching children to seek protection under desks and hold onto table legs. This education extends to the general public, ensuring widespread awareness of safety protocols during seismic events.
