Typhoon season preparation checklist Japan 2026: your complete guide to staying safe

Typhoon season in Japan 2026 is underway, and early preparation is crucial to protect your family and home. This typhoon season preparation checklist Japan 2026 covers everything you need: from emergency supplies to evacuation plans, following official guidelines from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and local governments. Don’t wait for the alert—start now.

In Japan, typhoons are most intense between July and October, peaking in August and September. Authorities issue early warnings (such as «Special Alerts» or «Evacuation Orders»), but logistics (suspended public transport, power or water outages) can make last-minute preparations difficult. This checklist is designed for residents, not tourists, and includes steps specific to local procedures, like registering for municipal alert systems or securing documents in both digital and physical formats.

What this checklist includes

Four critical areas: emergency supplies (with products available at Japanese supermarkets like 7-Eleven or Aeon), important documents (including your «zairyū card» or residence card), home safety (with measures for typical wooden houses), and evacuation plans (routes to shelters designated by your local government, «hinanjo»). Each task is designed to be completed in order, prioritizing urgency and accessibility.

• Review and update your emergency kit: include bottled water (3 liters per person/day for 3 days), non-perishable food (instant rice, crackers, canned goods), flashlight with extra batteries, hand-crank or battery-powered radio, first-aid kit, prescription medications (for 1 week), masks, and disposable gloves.
• Purchase additional supplies at local stores: candles, lighters, wet wipes, toilet paper, heavy-duty trash bags, wide adhesive tape (for windows), clear plastic sheets (to cover documents), and cash (small bills, as ATMs may fail).
• Prepare important documents in physical and digital formats: passport, residence card (zairyū card), health insurance (kokumin kenko hoken or shakai hoken), property deeds or rental contract, home insurance policies, and family photos (for identification). Store copies in a waterproof bag and in the cloud (Google Drive or iCloud).
• Register for your municipality’s alert system: download your city’s official app (such as «Tokyo Bousai» for Tokyo or «Osaka Bousai» for Osaka) and enable push notifications. Verify your phone number is registered in the SMS alert system (like «J-Alert»).
• Identify the nearest evacuation shelter («hinanjo»): check your local government’s evacuation map (available on their website or at the municipal office) and plan your walking route (public transport may be suspended). Note the shelter’s address and phone number in a visible place.
• Secure your home: trim trees or branches near windows, secure outdoor items (potted plants, bicycles) or bring them inside, apply adhesive tape in an «X» pattern on large windows to reduce breakage risk, and close blinds or curtains to protect against shattered glass.
• Prepare a family communication plan: designate a meeting point outside your home (such as a park or train station) and an out-of-area contact (a relative in another prefecture) to report your status. Teach everyone how to send text messages (they work better than calls during emergencies).
• Charge all electronic devices: mobile phones, power banks, rechargeable flashlights, and radios. Download offline maps of your area in Google Maps or Apple Maps for navigation without internet.
• Check gas and electricity supplies: know how to turn off gas and water valves in case of leaks or flooding. If you live in an apartment, locate the building’s main control panel and learn how to use the emergency generator (if available).
• Prepare appropriate clothing and footwear: include raincoats, waterproof boots, warm clothing (typhoons can lower temperatures), and a thermal blanket per person. Store everything in an easy-to-carry backpack.
• Check drains and gutters: clear leaves or debris to prevent home flooding. If you live in a low-lying area, place sandbags (available at hardware stores like Cainz or Komeri) around doors and windows.
• Learn about pet evacuation protocols: some shelters do not allow animals, so identify an alternative location (such as a pet boarding facility or a relative’s home). Include pet food, water, leash, and vaccination records in your emergency kit.
• Review your home insurance: confirm it covers typhoon, flood, or wind damage. If not, consider purchasing additional disaster insurance (such as «jishin hoken») before peak season arrives.
• Practice an evacuation drill: walk the route to the shelter with your entire family, including children and elderly members, to identify obstacles or risks. Time how long it takes to arrive.
• Stay informed: follow official social media accounts like the Japan Meteorological Agency (@JMA_kishou) or your local government. Avoid spreading rumors and rely only on verified sources.
• Prepare a car emergency kit: include a physical map of the area, jumper cables, a small shovel, a blanket, and bottled water. If you own a car, keep the gas tank at least half full during typhoon season.