How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

What should I put in an earthquake emergency bag in Japan?

Your emergency bag should include: 3 days of water (2L per person/day), emergency food, first aid kit, flashlight, battery radio, spare batteries, cash, copies of important documents, medicine, and a whistle.

How do I find my nearest evacuation center in Japan?

Check your local city hall hazard map - available in English in most major cities. Search your ward name plus evacuation site online, or use the NHK World or Yahoo Japan Disaster apps.

What is the J-Alert system in Japan?

J-Alert broadcasts emergency warnings within seconds via TV, radio, municipal speakers, and mobile phones. It warns of earthquakes, tsunamis, missile threats, and severe weather.

What should I do immediately when an earthquake strikes in Japan?

Drop, Cover, Hold On. Get under a sturdy table, protect your head. Do not run outside during shaking. After shaking stops: turn off gas, open doors, check for fires, and evacuate if you are in a tsunami zone.

What should I do during an earthquake in Japan?

Japan's earthquake protocol: Drop, Cover, Hold On During the shaking: Indoors: Get under a sturdy table, protect your head, stay away from windows and furniture that could fall Outdoors: Move away from buildings, power lines, vending machines. Crouch down and cover your head. In a car: Pull over safely, stay inside until shaking stops Don't rush outside: Most injuries happen from falling objects when people run outside After the shaking stops: Check for injuries and hazards (gas leaks, fires) Turn off gas at the meter if you smell gas Check official sources for tsunami warnings (海岸から離れて!) Prepare for aftershocks Tsunami risk: If near the coast and shaking lasts >1 minute, move to high ground immediately. Don't wait for official warnings.

What emergency supplies should I keep at home in Japan?

Japan recommends 3 days to 1 week of supplies (防災グッズ): Essential supplies: Water: 3L per person per day (9L minimum per person) Food: Non-perishable, no-cook items (canned goods, crackers, energy bars) Flashlight + batteries: Power outages are common after disasters Portable radio: Battery or hand-crank (for emergency broadcasts) First aid kit: Including personal medications (1 week supply) Cash: ¥30,000-50,000 in small bills (ATMs won't work) Phone charger: Portable battery pack, fully charged Documents to keep ready: Residence Card (在留カード) copy Passport copy Insurance documents Emergency contact list Where to buy: Don Quijote, Tokyu Hands, Amazon Japan have complete 防災セット (¥5,000-15,000)

How do I find my local evacuation shelter (避難所)?

Every area in Japan has designated evacuation points. Here's how to find yours: City website: Search "[your city] 避難所マップ" for official evacuation maps Hazard map (ハザードマップ): Your city mailed one when you registered. Also available at city hall. Signs in your neighborhood: Green signs with 避難所 or 避難場所 point to shelters Apps: Yahoo! 防災速報, NHK World app show nearby shelters Two types of evacuation sites: 避難場所 (Temporary assembly point) Open spaces like parks - go here first during earthquake to escape falling buildings 避難所 (Evacuation shelter) Schools, community centers - for staying overnight if home is damaged Practice: Walk to your nearest shelter BEFORE an emergency so you know the route!

What emergency apps should foreigners have in Japan?

Essential apps with English support: Safety Tips (観光庁公式): Official government app with earthquake, tsunami, weather warnings in multiple languages. PUSH notifications for your area. NHK World: English news and emergency broadcasts Yahoo! 防災速報: Fastest alerts (Japanese but visual icons are clear) Yurekuru Call: Earthquake early warning - gives you seconds to prepare before shaking NERV防災: Beautiful design, fast official warnings Setup tips: Enable location services for accurate local warnings Allow notifications even when app is closed Set your home AND work areas for alerts Test that notifications work before you need them Most important: Keep your phone charged! A dead phone during an emergency is dangerous.

How does Japan's earthquake early warning system work?

Japan has the world's most advanced 緊急地震速報 (Emergency Earthquake Warning) system: How it works: Sensors detect initial P-waves (fast but weak) System calculates earthquake size and location Warnings sent BEFORE strong S-waves arrive You get 5-30 seconds warning depending on distance from epicenter Warning delivery: Smartphones: Loud alarm + vibration (all Japanese phones, most foreign phones registered to Japanese carriers) TV/Radio: Automatic interruption with warning Public speakers: Sirens in many areas Train stations: Announcements and automatic train stops The sound: It's a distinctive alarm sound you'll never forget. When you hear it: immediately Drop, Cover, Hold On. Note for foreign phones: Install Yurekuru Call app to receive warnings if your phone doesn't get them automatically.

Chiba Survival Guide

Last Updated: April 2026

Earthquake & Typhoon Preparedness

JMA Alert Status

Normal

Emergency Bag Checklist

Passport / ID

Cash (Coins)

Water (3 Days)

Portable Charger

Flashlight

Medicine

0/6 Items Ready

Hazard Maps

Togane City Hazard Map Japan Meteorological Agency

Emergency Phrases

Japan Disaster Preparedness FAQ

Japan's earthquake protocol: Drop, Cover, Hold On

During the shaking:

Indoors: Get under a sturdy table, protect your head, stay away from windows and furniture that could fall
Outdoors: Move away from buildings, power lines, vending machines. Crouch down and cover your head.
In a car: Pull over safely, stay inside until shaking stops
Don't rush outside: Most injuries happen from falling objects when people run outside

After the shaking stops:

Check for injuries and hazards (gas leaks, fires)
Turn off gas at the meter if you smell gas
Check official sources for tsunami warnings (海岸から離れて!)
Prepare for aftershocks

Tsunami risk: If near the coast and shaking lasts >1 minute, move to high ground immediately. Don't wait for official warnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your earthquake emergency bag should contain at minimum: 3 days of water (2 liters per person per day), emergency food rations, a flashlight with spare batteries, a portable phone charger, photocopies of your passport and residence card, cash in small bills, prescription medications, a first aid kit, and a whistle. Keep this disaster preparedness bag near your front door so you can grab it quickly after an earthquake strikes.

Check your city or ward's official website for the evacuation center map, which lists designated shelters (hinan basho) by neighborhood. You can also download the government's Bosai (disaster prevention) app or use Google Maps to search 'hinan basho' near your location. Green signs featuring a running person figure mark official evacuation routes, and you do not need to show ID or residency documents to enter a public evacuation center.

J-Alert is Japan's national emergency warning system that sends loud emergency alerts directly to all mobile phones in a geographic area without requiring any app installation. It broadcasts warnings for large earthquakes, tsunamis, and missile threats, and activates automatically on any phone with a Japanese SIM card including prepaid tourist SIMs. The alert sounds even when your phone is on silent mode, so you will always receive critical disaster warnings.

During an earthquake, immediately drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops — this is universally taught disaster response in Japan. After the shaking ends, turn off gas appliances, open doors to prevent them from jamming shut, evacuate the building if instructed, and avoid using elevators. Follow the flow of people to the nearest evacuation area and do not use your phone for calls to keep emergency lines clear.

Japan issues typhoon warnings using a numbered level system where higher numbers indicate greater danger and broader evacuation orders. Track typhoon updates through NHK World's English broadcast, weather apps like Weather News, or your prefecture's disaster prevention website. Trains and buses proemptively suspend service when a typhoon is forecast to pass through, often announced the day before, so plan to stay home and stock supplies when a typhoon warning is issued.

Chiba Survival Guide

Emergency Bag Checklist

Hazard Maps

Emergency Phrases

Japan Disaster Preparedness FAQ

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should foreigners in Japan put in an earthquake emergency bag?

How do I find evacuation centers near me in Japan?

What is J-Alert and how does it work on my phone in Japan?

What should I do during an earthquake in Japan as a foreigner?

How do typhoon warnings work in Japan?

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