Typhoon season preparation checklist for expats in Japan: supplies, documents, and evacuation steps

Typhoon season in Japan (May to October, peaking between August and September) requires careful preparation, especially for expatriates. This checklist helps you organize emergency supplies, key documents, evacuation routes, and communication plans before the next typhoon hits in 2026. Use Foco to track each step in one place: create a project called 'Japan Typhoons' and assign tasks with urgent or important priority based on deadlines.

In Japan, typhoon warnings are issued days in advance, but power outages, flooding, and transportation shutdowns can occur within hours. Local authorities (such as the Japan Meteorological Agency) recommend having an emergency kit ready and knowing your area’s evacuation routes. This checklist includes steps specific to foreigners, like registering your address with your embassy or preparing copies of your visa.

How to use this checklist in Foco

Import the tasks into Foco and customize them: add reminders (e.g., '3 days before the typhoon'), attach photos of evacuation routes, or record voice notes with instructions from your municipality. Use the Kanban view to group tasks by category (Supplies, Documents, Communication) or the Calendar view to track critical deadlines. Share the project with roommates or family to assign responsibilities.

• Purchase basic supplies: 3 liters of water per person/day (for 3 days), non-perishable food (rice, energy bars, canned goods), manual can opener, and disposable utensils
• Prepare an emergency kit: flashlight with extra batteries, portable radio (hand-crank or solar-powered), charged power bank, first-aid kit, and essential medications (with prescriptions translated into Japanese)
• Include Japan-specific items: N95 masks, work gloves, wet wipes, toilet paper, and sturdy garbage bags (for emergency toilet use)
• Pack sturdy clothing and footwear: raincoat, waterproof boots, warm clothes (shelters can be cold), and a thermal blanket
• Make physical and digital copies of documents: passport, visa, residence card (zairyū card), health insurance, and home insurance policy (store them in a waterproof bag and in the cloud)
• Register your address with your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan (check if they offer expat alert systems)
• Note emergency contacts: embassy, nearby hospitals, local police station, and designated shelters (available on your municipality’s website)
• Translate key phrases into Japanese: 'I need medical help,' 'Where is the nearest shelter?' and 'I am allergic to...' (save a copy on your phone and print one)
• Map evacuation routes from your home and workplace: identify at least two alternative routes and practice them (use Google Maps or your city’s official app)
• Check your home’s condition: seal windows with tape, secure outdoor items (potted plants, bicycles), and clear drains to prevent flooding
• Charge all electronic devices and store power banks in waterproof bags
• Prepare cash in yen: ATMs and cards may stop working during power outages (recommended: 50,000–100,000 JPY in small bills)
• Set up mobile alerts: enable notifications from apps like 'Yurekuru Call' or the 'Japan Meteorological Agency' for real-time official warnings
• Inform family abroad: share your emergency plan and designate an out-of-country contact (e.g., a relative in your home country)
• Review your home insurance: confirm coverage for typhoon and flood damage (many policies in Japan have specific exclusions)
• Prepare a pet plan: food, water, portable carrier, and vaccination records (some shelters do not accept pets)
• Store extra fuel: if you have a car, fill the tank and keep additional fuel canisters (gas stations may close during emergencies)
• Check gas supply: turn off the main valve if there’s a risk of flooding or earthquake (typhoons in Japan are often accompanied by tremors)