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I wasn’t supposed to write a post today, but, today is January 2nd, 2024 and yesterday, the news that Japan had been hit by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake reminded me, that when the earthquake alarm sounded on my last trip, I didn’t know what to do. So, I thought maybe some of you reading this might not either – so, here’s what to know if the earthquake alarm sounds on your trip.
Please note, that while this advice is based on official advice from the Japanese authorities, it is not intended to replace any advice from local authorities or experts, particularly those directing on-the-spot operations if an earthquake does happen. Always use common sense and listen to those on the ground.
How Common Are Earthquakes in Japan?
Incredibly common – but, will you know anything about 99% of them that happen while on your holiday – no.
I only got my first earthquake warning on my sixth trip last year. It was about 4.30am on my second day and I was woken up by a klaxon and my phone shouting ‘earthquake’ at me. Once the alert had passed when I was looking for more information, I discovered that actually seven small earthquakes had occurred in Tokyo since I had arrived less than 48 hours before and I’d had no clue. This one was just big enough to trip the alarm system.
But what I realized when that alarm woke me up was, I didn’t really know what to do.
I don’t live in an earthquake-prone area so my instinct when hearing the alarm was to go into ‘fire’ mode – I grabbed the closest clothes, shoved on shoes, grabbed my handbag and power bank in case I needed to charge my phone – before anyone calls me out for grabbing belongings, this was a tiny Japanese hotel room, both were within touching distance! And then I went to head out of the room to get out of the building – but then I thought, hang on you do you go outside in an earthquake?
The answer is no. Remembering various disaster movies, and something about doorways, I went and stood in the vestibule of the hotel room which seemed pretty solid and didn’t have any furniture or windows – but, I wasn’t completely sure that was right either, so, once I’d realized the danger had passed, got a calming cuppa and started investigating. And here’s what I took away from the advice.
7 Steps to Be Prepared
Again, the chances of a serious earthquake occurring on your trip are very small so this shouldn’t scare you, but as Japan is in an area of seismic activity it is good to at least know what to do if you do receive an earthquake warning during your trip.
Stay Connected
If you have a phone attached to the Japanese cellular network you should get advance warning if a larger quake is about to happen – that’s one reason why, maybe one person in each group should maybe get a local SIM card, or an eSim even if you’re using pocket wifi.
This warning occurs about 5-10 seconds before the quake giving you time to move to somewhere safer.
When mine went off, I didn’t know how long the warning applied for so wasn’t sure how long I needed to be on alert – I sat there for about five minutes, wondering when the room was going to shake – then googled, realised this was an immediate warning and relaxed. So, if you don’t feel anything after about a minute, chances are any concern has passed.
Download the NHK App
You don’t need to do anything specific to get these alerts, if the quake is expected to be over 5 on the local scale it will be triggered. You may not feel anything even if you do get the alert. However, you might also want to add the NHK app to the list of apps to download before your visit, as, if there is a large quake, they broadcast alerts and advice in English as well as Japanese.
You can also set up the Navitime app (which is very handy for planning your train trips anyway) so it sends you alerts in English.
RELATED READ: These are two of the apps I suggest as essentials on your Japan trip. Click here to read the rest of the list once you’ve finished this.
Scope Out Your Hotel Room
It’s always a good idea to know where the emergency exits are in a hotel anyway but as you shouldn’t use a lift after an earthquake in case of aftershocks it’s good to know where the stairs are.
Also, most Japanese hotel rooms include a torch in case the power goes out – make sure you know where it is.
When in your room, try to keep your essential items like your phone, passport, wallet and any essential medication together and close so you can grab them quickly if needed.
Lastly, look around the room so you know where to go, and what to avoid, if the alert klaxon does go off.
Move Somewhere Safe
If you do hear an alert, or start to feel a quake, move away from anything that might fall on you – most Japanese hotel rooms will be earthquake-ready so items will likely be secured well to walls and ceilings, but, to be safe, move away from anything that might topple or fall. If you can hide under something like a desk or table, then do. And stay away from windows.
If you’re outside, try and get away from anything obvious that might fall, like trees and utility poles.
Drop, Cover, Hold
If you’re in a public place when the warning hits, you’ll see the Japanese people crouch on the ground. This is to lower your center of gravity to prevent the risk of falling over. Do the same.
Also try and cover your head with a bag or, clothing to give a little protection from any falling debris. The Japanese know what to do in an earthquake, just follow what they do.
If you can hold onto something, then do. Remember, Drop, Cover, Hold.
What About Trains or Lifts?
This page from the JNTO aims at tourists and advises on different earthquake scenarios like what to do if you’re in a lift or train and an earthquake starts, and how to handle things like a tsunami warning. It’s short and to the point, so, spend a few minutes reading it so you know what to do in other scenarios.
Don’t Panic
Most earthquakes last just a few seconds. Buildings, even high rises, in Japan are built to withstand earthquakes and so you’re in one of the safest places in the world to experience this. I was watching videos of what happened at Tokyo Disney Resort when the latest alert happened and everyone was very, very calm.
If you do feel shaking, once the initial tremors are over, follow the advice of your hotel or local authorities as to what to do next, especially if you are near the sea, as there may be a tsunami risk.
Get Travel Insurance
It’s always important, but in a country that’s prone to natural disasters, it’s essential.
Earthquakes and The Shinkansen
When I went to the Maglev Museum in Nagoya, I was interested to see an exhibit that answered one of my big Japan-based questions – what happens to the Shinkansen in an earthquake? After all, those things can travel at 300mph. I don’t think I’d want to add shaking-earth to the mix.
A little demonstration allows you to create your own seismic event and find out.
Basically, the Shinkansen control center is fitted with seismic detection, and, at the first inkling of an impending tremor, all the trains automatically stop. This happens before the tremor hits so, the shinkansen would not be moving when the ground starts to move.
Depending on how large a quake is and where it takes place, it might take a while for tracks to be inspected or power to come back on so, it’s possible, that if you are in the vicinity of an actual quake, the train might be held for some time.
In the 2024 earthquake, four trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen were halted for 11 hours while tracks were inspected – but in true Japanese style, the staff delivered food to the trains by car to ensure passengers were kept fed and watered during the delay.
Services after an earthquake are also likely to be disrupted while the integrity of the tracks, wiring, and stations are checked, but, things move a lot faster than they might in other countries. I’m writing this within 24 hours of the 2024 quake, already half of the Hokuriku Shinkansen is already up and running and the second half is likely to be up and running in about an hour.
Obviously, if there is significant damage, there may be longer delays – and services can be disrupted over the next few days while more checks are made.
If you are traveling in the days after an event, expect trains to be more crowded than normal. If travel isn’t essential, it’s better to stay put somewhere safe.
What Happens at the Theme Parks?
As I said, the morning after the quake, I was sending out similar advice to this on my Facebook groups – one of which covers Tokyo Disney Resort tips (join it here if you’re planning a TDR trip), and I was interested in the emergency plans that TDR and Universal have in place.
Generally, the advice is the same as the above, if you hear an earthquake alert, you’re in a Disney or Universal Hotel, stay put in your room and again, find somewhere safe to shelter.
If you’re in the parks, use Drop, Cover Hold.
The quake yesterday was so strong warnings were sent out in Tokyo and you can see videos on social media of the Disney cast showing people how to drop and cover their heads in the queue for Beauty and the Beast. Everyone is very, very calm.
Elsewhere in the park, even Donald Duck and Eeyore got involved showing everyone what to do. And the Disney music kept playing just to keep everyone calm.
Thanks to @Jasnhill for permission to use his TikTok video showing the park as the alert went off (with a special appearance by Eeyore).
If you’re on a ride, it will stop. Stay put. Don’t try to exit the cars. The cast will tell you what to do.
As you can hear in the video above, the announcements outside in the park do come in English, but if not, just follow the staff. I couldn’t understand what the staff were saying in the BATB videos I saw, but their movements – and watching the crowd around me – would have shown me what to do.
The only time the staff looked stressed in the videos I saw of that day was when they were trying to get people who had stood up, or were walking around to crouch down before an all-clear signal was declared, so, just follow what everyone else is doing. If there is a more serious earthquake, follow staff directions.
Again, most quakes will be mild, but if any shaking is felt, then rides might be offline or run empty for a bit while tracks and other safety measures are inspected, so just be patient.
If you’ve used a Premier Access pass at Disney, and they take you out of the line, then you can have this refunded. Speak to the staff, once things have calmed down, or go to Guest Services and explain. They might also give you an all-access Premier Pass to use later in the day or just process a refund for the pass you have.
I haven’t been involved with a ride breakdown at USJ, but if you were using the Express Pass, I’d ask if they can void that entry or allow you to go through the queue again.
Another concern with earthquakes is the risk of following tsunamis, which, considering both Tokyo Disney Parks are near the water, might be concerning, but according to the Tokyo Disney Resort Disaster plan, both parks are more than 5 meters above sea level, so risk is limited. However, the Park does take advice from the local authorities and will evacuate if necessary. At this point, instructions would also be in English – just follow the Cast member’s instructions and do what everyone else is doing.
Also, it’s highly unlikely but if for any reason you get stuck at Disney, don’t panic, the resort apparently has enough food to last 50,000 guests three days!! I would guess USJ is similarly prepared.
So, there’s some advice about earthquakes in Japan. While it’s good to be aware of all of the above, don’t worry about this or let it spoil your trip. Big quakes are very, very rare, and while Japan has around 2000 quakes a year that people feel, you might not realize what’s going on even then. ‘I wondered if I was having a stroke as the water in my shower was going the wrong way,’ said my friend Drew after his Tokyo earthquake experience. It was only when he came out and his girlfriend was like ‘woah, did you feel that’ that he realised exactly what was going on.
I felt my first earthquake in Hakone a couple of trips ago. I was woken up in the night by what felt like a truck going past. But I was in Hakone, a relatively rural area, so no trucks were going past. A quick check online revealed that yes, it was an earthquake.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our 62-page Japan Super Planner, which includes tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. We also have specialised planners like Tokyo Tips, Kyoto Tips, or the Rail Pass Planner. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
Obviously, the quake on the Noto Peninsula was very serious, and as I write this, I’m thinking of those who lost their lives and those whose homes and businesses were damaged. I had been looking at Wajima town as a possible place to visit on an upcoming trip and it looked like a very pretty little town that is now decimated.
If you want to help, the Uwajima NPO Center is a local organisation raising funds to help people in the area.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.
