Japan Emergency Guide: Earthquakes, Typhoons, Police and Preparation
A calm practical guide to emergency numbers, hotel evacuation routes, severe weather and offline backup information.
Know 110 and 119
110 is the police emergency number; 119 is for fire and ambulance emergencies. For non-urgent lost property or local help, a police box can be useful.
Check the evacuation route at check-in
JNTO recommends noticing evacuation routes. It takes less than a minute to identify the nearest stairwell and removes one decision from an emergency. The practical test is whether this reduces a real point of friction on your itinerary; if a current operator or facility instruction differs, follow that instruction.
During an earthquake, follow the place you are in
Inside a station, hotel or store, follow staff instructions and protect yourself from falling objects. Running blindly outside can create new hazards.
Severe weather is also a transport issue
Typhoons and heavy rain can suspend trains or flights before the local weather feels extreme. Check operator sites, not only a general forecast. The practical test is whether this reduces a real point of friction on your itinerary; if a current operator or facility instruction differs, follow that instruction.
Keep key information offline
Hotel addresses, insurance details if applicable, emergency contacts and booking references should be accessible without mobile data. Keep the phone charged.
Separate backup payment
A second card or emergency funds stored separately keeps a lost wallet from becoming a complete travel shutdown. The practical test is whether this reduces a real point of friction on your itinerary; if a current operator or facility instruction differs, follow that instruction.
Before you act
Check any price, timetable, eligibility rule, product availability or operator-specific condition on the official source for your actual travel date. Good travel planning is not memorizing rules; it is knowing which detail needs verification.
Official sources used for verification
This site summarizes and explains official information in original wording. It is not an official government or operator website.