What to do in an earthquake in Japan: the first 10 minutes, for visitors

While it shakes, right after, and the hours after — the official guidance, condensed. Then the same guidance by place: hotel room, shop, theater, underground mall, elevator, train, street, coast.

① While it shakes

• Protect your head and get under a sturdy desk or table.
• Don't run outside — the danger is falling objects and toppling furniture.
• Dark? Stay put — don't move around until the shaking stops.
• Don't rush to the stove — gas shuts off automatically in strong shaking.

Where you are

• In an elevator: press every floor button, get off where it first opens.
• Outdoors: move away from buildings, block walls, vending machines and signs.
• Driving: no sudden braking — hazard lights on, pull over to the left, stay inside.
• Can't stand? Stay low, cover your head, and move only after it ends.

② When the shaking stops — the first 10 minutes

• Put on shoes — they guard your feet from broken glass.
• Near the coast? Move to higher ground now — don't wait for a warning, don't go back for your things.
• Evacuate by the stairs, never the elevator. Leave your luggage.
• Inside a sturdy building? Don't rush out — glass and debris may be falling in the street.
• Check official information in English — the Safety tips app and JMA.

③ The hours and days after

• Expect aftershocks — strong ones can follow for days.
• Stay on high ground until the Tsunami Warning is lifted — calm water proves nothing.
• Don't crowd stations and roads. Waiting somewhere safe is often the smarter move.
• Nowhere to stay? Tokyo and some other big cities open temporary facilities for stranded people, travelers included — ask station or hotel staff what is open.
• Evacuation shelters are open to travelers too — the communication cards below can help you ask for what you need.
• Phones jammed? Leave a voice message on 171 / web171.
• Data-only SIMs can't call 110/119 — use a green payphone or borrow a phone.

Summarized from the official guidance behind the daily questions — each question links to its source.

Earthquake, by place

Hotel, elevator, coast — what to do in this exact place.

🏨 Hotel room

While it shakes

• Get under the desk or table and protect your head.
• Stay away from the windows.

When it stops

• Open the door so the frame can't jam it shut, and check your way out.
• Don't rush outside — leave by the stairs, following the staff.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: at your accommodation (JNTO)

🛍️ Shop · department store

While it shakes

• Move away from the shelves and showcases.
• Cover your head with your bag or a shopping basket.
• Head for somewhere with few goods — an elevator lobby, or beside a pillar.

When it stops

• Watch the floor — broken ceramics and glass.
• Leave by the stairs at the staff's pace, not the elevator.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: at tourist and commercial facilities (JNTO)

🎭 Theater · hall

While it shakes

• Get low between the seats and cover your head with your bag.
• Don't rush the exits or the stairs.

When it stops

• Exit signs and emergency lighting run on their own power — it won't stay dark.
• Walk out at the pace the staff set.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: at tourist and commercial facilities (JNTO)

🚇 Underground mall

While it shakes

• Protect your head and stay put — if there is no fire, underground is relatively safe in an earthquake.
• Don't chase the crowd to one staircase.

When it stops

• Emergency lighting comes on, and exits stand about every 60 m — pick a calm one.
• Walk along the wall, following the staff.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: in an underground space (JNTO)

🛗 Elevator

While it shakes

• Press every floor button and get off at the first floor where it stops.

When it stops

• Stuck? Press the emergency call button, say you're inside, and wait.
• Don't force the doors or the hatch — the car isn't airtight, and rescue will come, though it may take a while.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: in elevators (JNTO)

🚃 Train · bus

While it shakes

• Hold on to a strap or rail, stay low in your seat.
• Don't rush for the doors.

When it stops

• Follow the crew — never step down to the tracks on your own.
• Safety checks take time; staying put is often the smarter move.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: on a train or subway (JNTO)

🏙️ Street · downtown

While it shakes

• Move away from the buildings — falling glass scatters far and fast.
• Cover your head with your bag; block walls and vending machines topple too.
• A doorway is not shelter.

When it stops

• Make for open ground, watching for glass underfoot.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: in downtown and office areas (JNTO)

🌊 Coast · riverside

While it shakes

• Long or strong shaking near the sea IS the warning — start for high ground now.
• Don't wait for an official alert, don't go back for your things.

When it stops

• Get to high ground or a tall sturdy building, and keep going up.
• Stay there until the warning is lifted — calm water proves nothing.

Safety tips — Earthquakes: at the waterfront (JNTO)

Summarized from the official guidance behind the daily questions. Safety tips — official site (JNTO)

Safety tips

Safety tips — official app supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency. Push alerts for earthquakes, tsunami, and severe weather in English. Install it before you need it. 📲 Get the Safety tips app (App Store)