Whether you’re new to Japan or a resident, this easily digestible video will fill you in on the country’s facts faster than any other.
information
Being the most earthquake-prone country in the world, earthquake drills are as common in schools in Japan as fire drills are in the West. Knowledge of what to do and how to prepare for big quakes is essential, but many foreigners visiting or living in Japan are simply not used to larger tremors and have little or no idea how to respond should the earth start to rumble. Thankfully, even in Japan the chances of being hurt or killed in an earthquake are relatively slim, but it’s important to know what you can do to prepare. Combining our own first-hand experience with the expert advice of a seismologist from the California Institute of Technology, the following article not only discusses how best to respond in the event of an earthquake, but also lists the essential items that anyone living in Japan or any other earthquake-prone country should have stowed away in their earthquake preparedness kit.
Talking safety is never the most exciting subject, and no one’s asking you to go all Dwight Schrute and build a nuclear fallout shelter here, but it pays to be ready. And if the thought of tooling up in the name of earthquake preparedness fails to get your heart pumping, simply substitute the word “earthquake” for “zombie outbreak” and the process will become infinitely more fun.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Animate Akihabara releases a lucky bag for the first time in years, and it’s amazing
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
The complete guide to sushi in one handy picture
We asked a specialist to tell us about all the benefits of traditional Japanese underwear
Weekly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】- Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
The complete guide to sushi in one handy picture
We asked a specialist to tell us about all the benefits of traditional Japanese underwear
Stunning Japanese restaurant is like eating in a samurai residence
New Era combines with old eras for amazing hat collection based on Japanese painting masterpieces
Foreign resident of Japan starts work as city’s first-ever non-Japanese rickshaw puller【Photos】
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Five different ways to say “children” in Japanese
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japanese host and host clubs no longer allowed to take advantage of customer’s romantic feelings
-
