Earthquake, tsunami or typhoon while driving in Japan: what to do

If a large earthquake hits while you are driving in Japan, avoid sudden steering and braking, and stop on the left side of the road as safely as you can. Then listen to the car radio for earthquake and traffic information. If you have to leave the car on the road, stop the engine, leave the key in the car and do not lock the doors. Near the coast, a tsunami warning means leaving coastal and river areas for high ground at once.

This page collects what Japanese public bodies tell drivers to do. Instructions can change during a real disaster, so always follow the police, road staff and official announcements on the spot.

What should I do if an earthquake hits while I am driving?

The National Police Agency (NPA) gives these steps, taken from Japan’s official traffic rules guide:

1. Avoid sudden steering and sudden braking. Stop the car on the left side of the road in the safest way you can.
2. After stopping, listen to the car radio or other sources for earthquake and traffic information. Act on that information and on what you see around you.
3. If you keep driving, watch carefully for damaged roads, traffic lights that have stopped working and objects on the road.

Source: National Police Agency, Measures drivers should take when a large earthquake occurs (checked on 26 October 2026)

On the expressway, NEXCO Central adds:

• Slow down gradually and do not panic.
• If you hear an earthquake early warning on the radio, turn on the hazard lights, because drivers behind you may not have heard it.
• Stop on the left shoulder and turn off the engine. Try not to stop under long slopes or near tunnel entrances, where there is a risk of collapse.
• After a strong earthquake the expressway may close while the road is checked, and emergency vehicles may use the main lanes.
• At a service or parking area, follow the staff’s evacuation guidance.

Source: NEXCO Central, If an earthquake occurs (checked on 26 October 2026)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department tells drivers in Tokyo not to drive after a major earthquake unless it is absolutely necessary, even after the shaking stops. Some main roads are kept for emergency vehicles only.

Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Traffic control after a major earthquake (checked on 26 October 2026)

Should I leave the car and the key when I evacuate?

If you leave the car to evacuate, the NPA says to move it off the road if you can. If you have to leave it on the road:

Step	What the NPA says
Where	Pull over to the left side of the road. Do not park where it blocks people evacuating or disaster response work
Engine	Stop the engine
Key	Leave the key in the ignition, or somewhere easy to find in the car, such as the driver’s seat
Windows	Close them
Doors	Do not lock them

Source: National Police Agency, Measures drivers should take when a large earthquake occurs (checked on 26 October 2026)

NEXCO Central also says to take your valuables with you, leave a note with your contact details if you can, and move to a safe place away from traffic, such as behind the guardrail. Cars that block emergency routes may be moved by road managers.

Source: NEXCO Central, If an earthquake occurs (checked on 26 October 2026)

After a disaster, the police may close roads or whole areas to all vehicles except emergency vehicles. Ibaraki Prefectural Police explain the rules, which come from national law:

1. If you are on a closed road, move the car out of that section quickly. If you are in a closed area, move it off the road.
2. If you cannot move it at once, park as close to the left edge as you can, so that emergency vehicles can pass.
3. If a police officer gives you instructions, follow them.

Source: Ibaraki Prefectural Police, Measures drivers should take when an earthquake occurs (checked on 26 October 2026)

The police may move a car that blocks emergency traffic, and the car may be damaged when they do. Tell your rental company what happened as soon as you can.

What do I do if there is a tsunami warning near the coast?

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issues three levels of tsunami alert:

Alert	Expected height	What JMA says to do
Major Tsunami Warning	Over 10 m, 10 m or 5 m (“Huge”)	Leave coastal and river areas immediately for high ground or a tsunami evacuation building
Tsunami Warning	3 m (“High”)	Leave coastal and river areas immediately for high ground or a tsunami evacuation building
Tsunami Advisory	1 m	Get out of the water and leave coastal areas immediately

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Tsunami warnings and advisories; Tsunami warning leaflet (checked on 26 October 2026)

JMA also says to evacuate when you feel shaking near the coast, because a tsunami can arrive before a warning. Waves can come again and again, so do not go back until the warning is lifted.

About the car, the NPA says: do not use a car to evacuate, unless it cannot be avoided in order to escape a tsunami. If you must drive, watch carefully for damaged roads, broken traffic lights and objects on the road.

Source: National Police Agency, Measures drivers should take when a large earthquake occurs (checked on 26 October 2026)

Where can I check road closures in heavy rain or a typhoon?

NEXCO East asks drivers to check the weather forecast and road information before setting off. It closes expressway sections when rainfall passes its set limits, and announces sections that may close in advance on its website, X and LINE. A closed road reopens only after it has been checked and found safe.

Source: NEXCO East, Before going out in case of heavy rain or a typhoon approaching (checked on 26 October 2026)

Where to check	What it shows	Run by
JARTIC (jartic.or.jp)	Closures and congestion on expressways and ordinary roads	Japan Road Traffic Information Center
JARTIC by phone	Traffic information: 050-3369-6666, or #8011 from a mobile phone	Japan Road Traffic Information Center
Road Information Provision System	Road restrictions, weather and road surface information	MLIT
Passable Roads Map (通れるマップ)	Closed and passable roads during a disaster	MLIT
Drive Traffic (drivetraffic.jp)	Real-time congestion and restrictions on expressways	NEXCO East
X: @e_nexco_bousai	Road closures during disasters	NEXCO East
Highway radio, AM 1620 kHz	Traffic information on the expressway, updated about every 5 minutes	NEXCO East
Japan Safe Travel Information	Weather warnings and transport information during disasters, in English	JNTO

Source: MLIT disaster portal, Information to check during disasters; MLIT, Road emergency dial; NEXCO East, Before going out in case of heavy rain; Provision of traffic information; Japan Tourism Agency, Information tools for foreign visitors (checked on 26 October 2026)

MLIT warns that water in underpasses (roads that dip under a railway or another road) can rise very quickly in heavy rain, and cars can stall or sink. Some underpasses are closed before they flood. Do not drive past a closure sign. For your route, see also car navigation in Japan.

Source: MLIT, Flooding of underpasses (checked on 26 October 2026)

Who do I call in an emergency, and is there help in English?

When	Number or tool	Notes
Accident or crime	110 (police)	Kagawa Prefectural Police say you can talk to an officer through an interpreter even if you do not speak Japanese
Illness, injury or fire	119 (ambulance and fire)
Damage or objects on the road	#9910 (road emergency dial)	24 hours, free. For roads such as national roads and expressways. Cannot be used from satellite phones or 050 IP phones. For accidents, call 110
Help as a visitor	JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787	24 hours. English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. For accidents, illness and disasters, and tourist information
Alerts on your phone	Safety tips app	Push alerts for earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings and special weather warnings. 15 languages. Supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency
Disaster news	X: @JapanSafeTravel	JNTO posts information visitors need when a natural disaster happens

Source: Kagawa Prefectural Police, Call 110; MLIT, Road emergency dial #9910; NEXCO Central, Road emergency dial #9910; Japan Tourism Agency, Information tools for foreign visitors (checked on 26 October 2026)

Install the Safety tips app and save the hotline number before you start driving.

What should I do after an accident?

JAF gives this order:

1. Move the car to a safe place out of the way of traffic, and turn off the engine.
2. If anyone is hurt, call 119 first and give first aid until the ambulance arrives.
3. Always call the police on 110 and report the accident. Leaving the scene may be treated as a hit-and-run.
4. If you cannot call, ask someone nearby to do it.

Source: JAF, Emergency measures (checked on 26 October 2026)

Then call your rental company’s accident line; the number is on your rental papers. What to do next and what you may pay are covered here:

• Rental car insurance, CDW and NOC: what you pay after an accident
• Rental car breakdown on the expressway: flares, warning triangles, emergency phones and rental company numbers