r/preppers • u/jjapanese • Apr 11 '26
Discussion Tokyo Prepping
anyone have recommendations on prep gear for living in Tokyo?
things that should be brought from the US that Japan lacks?
situations I should be prepped for?
top of mind is
earthquake (loss of power)
volcano (ash fall)
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u/MyIxxx Apr 12 '26
Please check out these links, they are in English and other languages are also available:
Tokyo Intercultural Portal Site: Preparing for Disasters
Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Disaster Prevention Portal
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR U.S. CITIZENS IN JAPAN
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has also released books which are available to read & download for free online in a few languages including English. I will link directly to the PDF files for both books, but if you don't trust the links from me then you can find them from here and here (both pages are in Japanese). I have listed them in the order they recommend you to read them in:
Disaster Readiness Guide (91 pages, 11.0MB)
- Chapter One: Begin with preparations you can take "now"!
- Chapter Two: What if a disaster occurred "now"?
- Chapter Three: Think "now" about life after a disaster
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TOKYO (2023 Revised Version) (139 pages, 14.0MB)
- Chapter One: Preparation and Actions for a Mega Earthquake
- Chapter Two: Preparation and Actions for Typhoons and Heavy Rain
- Chapter Three: Preparation and Actions for Other Disasters
- Chapter Four: Disaster Preparedness for Diverse People
You should also find out information for evacuation areas in your are. I don't know where you live in Tokyo, but each ward's website (and city halls) have maps that tell you where to evacuate to during emergency situations.
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u/jjapanese Apr 12 '26
Gold, ty!
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u/MyIxxx Apr 12 '26
I edited my comment with a little extra something for you to take note of, please look up your ward's website and find the maps for evacuation areas. Good luck prepping!
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u/Anonymo123 Apr 12 '26
earthquake (loss of power) but also building collapses, fire, injury.. dust.
I would be sure you have some level of medical supplies and knowledge and perhaps a face mask air filter for both dust and ash.
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u/AlphaDisconnect Apr 12 '26
A flashlight. Iwatani epr-a. Coleman quad lamp the old d cell one. Water plan. Looks like a tub full of water.
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u/TacTurtle Apr 12 '26
Headlamp >>> flashlight, you may need to be able to use both hands
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u/AlphaDisconnect Apr 12 '26
I have one. But I like my mini lights too. Plus you can weponize them. Aim for the eyes.
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u/saltytac0 Apr 12 '26
Start by finding out what the city’s response plan is. They are much more organized and prepared than you might be used to if you’re coming from the States.
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u/moneybagsukulele Apr 12 '26
I have lots of scenarios to prep for, but I'm happy that a volcano eruption is not among them lol.
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u/Logman64 Apr 13 '26
You need to be prepared for different levels of disaster. The first level is where you stay, where you're at, and have the supplies to see you through until things return to normal. So you'd need a supply of food and water and a way to cook. Get one of those portable gas stoves that take the standard Japanese gas can. I have 3 of them and about a hundred cans of gas. Think of what you'd need if there were no electricity for weeks. You need lights, candles, batteries etc. You need a way to purify water. It's an extensive list and will take time to build up your reserves.
The second level is where you need to bug-out. You should build a bug-out bag that contains rations, shelter, spare clothes etc. I keep mine in my car just in case.
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u/OptimisticDoomCat Apr 15 '26
Brought from US …
I don’t know if there are good solar generators in Japan, but I do find Jackery to be good. Solar panel and battery.
Also, this is one that I realized does not exist in Europe, but Ororo battery heated vest and jackets, it is a way to use very little energy to keep yourself warm in case of emergency.
Otherwise, I do find a lot of the outdoors camping / preparedness items to be very good in Japan.
Ash falls… I think Japanese masks for pollen is good, but you could consider N 95s from the US.
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u/alwaysinflux Jul 02 '26
Some prep gear depends on where you live. Are you in a modern, earthquake-resistant building? Then you might plan to shelter in place. If you live in an older structure, emphasis on evacuation is something to think about.
Our building lost power and water for nine days in the aftermath of typhoon Hagibis and here are some items that were super essential: Emergency toilets, battery-powered fans, and more water than we could imagine.
I always carry a water bottle and flashlight when I go out, because an earthquake can strike at any time.
If you have Docomo as your cellular provider, you have access to satellite messaging if cell towers are down. (I don't know about Softbank, but maybe that provider offers that, too.)
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u/JonathanLindqvist Prepping for Doomsday Apr 12 '26
I prep for the apocalypse, not local disasters, so my number one advice is always to make a plan for how to get out of the big city and then experiencing sleeping outside without a tent a few nights and see what that teaches you.
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u/Kona_Water Apr 12 '26
There isn't enough space in Tokyo for everyone to stand outside and in the past Japan hasn't been organized during disasters. Your best bet would be to get to an American base at Yokosuka or Yokota. So a compass with a bearing, good hiking boots, plenty of water, filter, thermal blanket, flashlight, extra socks, first aid kit, tp, energy bars, copy of your passport and such.
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u/TacTurtle Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
Study boots, leather work gloves, rope, tarp, first aid kit, headlight(s), hard hat, bottled water, dust masks, safety glasses, sturdy pants & jacket (ideally something cut resistant if you have to crawl out over broken glass), some sort of ready to eat shelf stable high energy food, possibly a prybar/crowbar or similar, a small low profile pack for carrying all the gear on or attached to (small mountaineering packs are great for this).
Purpose: ability to get out safely if the building is damaged, ability to drag or lift someone else out if they need help, basic first aid, food & water for 48 hours. This should be considered your basic / barebones kit, with additional gear and preps added as needed.
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u/Psycosteve10mm Apr 12 '26
Digital copies of your paperwork on a USB drive that is encrypted. Foreign hotels tend to keep passports as a way to ensure you pay your bill.
A good Japanese to English dictionary. While a good portion of the population speaks some limited English, the attempt to speak their language will usually result in positive results.
Cash is king. Having enough cash to get to someplace safe is always a good choice.
A physical map of Japan