Information reviewed November 9, 2026 (JST), for the hazards and regional transport restrictions described here. This is a dated review, not a real-time nationwide warning feed. Check official advisories and operator notices for your own travel dates.
Latest review — November 9: Typhoon No. 32 has prompted confirmed ferry schedule changes for the Ogasawara Islands, including an early Chichijima departure and a canceled Hahajima sailing. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also advises caution in areas strongly shaken by the November 8 earthquake centered in western Shizuoka.
This page focuses on natural hazards and transport restrictions that may affect a Japan itinerary. For crime, scams, and everyday personal safety, see our Japan safety guide for foreign travelers.
The Short Answer: Is Japan Safe to Travel Right Now?
The U.S. Department of State advises Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions for Japan. Australia also recommends normal safety precautions overall, with stronger advice for restricted areas near Fukushima Dai-ichi. These nationwide advisories do not override local evacuation orders, trail closures, or transport restrictions.
The U.S. and Australian travel advisories do not advise against travel to Japan as a whole, but some destinations and routes need extra checks. If you are traveling to Ogasawara, check the changed ferry schedule immediately. If you are visiting areas strongly shaken by the November 8 earthquake, check local access and transport notices. The Koumi Line has a planned reopening, while volcanic access restrictions remain around Tokachidake, Hokkaido-Komagatake, and Mount Aso. Read the sections relevant to your own route and dates.
Current Japan Travel Safety Snapshot
| Area or issue | Information checked November 9 | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Western Shizuoka / central Japan earthquake | A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck western Shizuoka on November 8; the maximum observed intensity was 5-upper in Chita, Aichi. JMA advises caution for about a week in strongly shaken areas. | Check local damage and transport notices if traveling through affected parts of Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, or southern Nagano. |
| Typhoon No. 32 / Ogasawara | Ogasawara Kaiun announced on November 9 that the November 11 Chichijima departure will leave November 10 instead; a November 11 Hahajima ferry is canceled. Other sailings may change as weather develops. | Review your exact sailing and accommodation now, not just the forecast. The operator offers fee-free booking changes or cancellations related to this adjustment. |
| Koumi Line / Nagano–Yamanashi | The Koumi–Nobeyama section remains suspended through November 10 due to rockfall. JR East plans normal full-line service from the first trains November 11. Separate daytime construction closures are scheduled later. | Check the specific date and every connection. No substitute buses are provided for the published closures. |
| Kururi Line / Chiba | Trains remain suspended between Kururi and Kazusa-Kameyama. JR East lists replacement buses and taxis through March 31, 2027. | Do not plan this section as a rail trip. Verify the replacement schedule. |
| Tokachidake / Hokkaido | JMA maintains Volcanic Alert Level 2, with a hazard zone roughly 1.5 km from the 62-2 Crater. A separate winter road closure affects through-driving from Biei. | Observe volcanic restrictions; approach the onsen area from Kamifurano via Route 291 and check the facility before departure. |
| Hokkaido-Komagatake | JMA maintains Level 2 and warns of hazards within roughly 4 km of the crater. The Akaigawa hiking trail gate is closed. | Do not enter closed routes near the crater. |
| Mount Aso / Kumamoto | JMA maintains Level 2. Access within roughly 1 km of Nakadake No. 1 Crater is restricted. | Crater viewing is unavailable. Verify your specific road and attraction elsewhere in Aso. |
Regional Details Travelers Should Know
November 8 Earthquake: Western Shizuoka and Nearby Areas
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in western Shizuoka at 1:04 a.m. on November 8. JMA recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 5-upper in Chita, Aichi, and intensity 5-lower in parts of Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Nagano. JMA says this earthquake did not pose a tsunami threat. See JMA’s November 8 earthquake assessment (Japanese).
In areas that shook strongly, JMA advises caution for about one week because another earthquake of comparable intensity is possible, especially during the first two or three days. Rockfalls and landslides may also be a concern. If you are planning to hike or travel in affected areas, check local restrictions and transport updates before setting out. An earthquake report by itself does not establish that every destination or rail line is closed.
Typhoon No. 32: Ogasawara Ferries Have Changed
JMA’s current typhoon map (Japanese) shows Typhoon No. 32 approaching the Ogasawara area around November 10–11. The forecast may change, but ferry changes are already confirmed by the operator.
In its November 9 announcement (Japanese), Ogasawara Kaiun moved the Ogasawara Maru departure from Chichijima from November 11 at 3:00 p.m. to November 10 at 2:00 p.m.; the scheduled Tokyo arrival is now November 11 at 3:30 p.m. The Hahajima Maru departure from Hahajima on November 10 moves from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m., and service on November 11 is canceled. The company says changes and cancellations related to these adjustments will be handled without a fee.
If you booked accommodation, a tour, or an onward flight around these sailings, contact the operator or booking provider promptly. Check JMA’s latest cyclone information and Ogasawara Kaiun’s latest sailing notices (Japanese) for further changes. Other sailings are not necessarily canceled simply because the storm is forecast nearby.
Koumi Line: Rockfall Suspension Until November 10, With a Planned Restart
JR East’s Koumi Line status page (Japanese) says the Koumi–Nobeyama section remains suspended through November 10 after a rockfall, with reduced services on adjacent sections and no replacement buses. JR East has announced a planned return to normal service on the full line from the first trains on November 11; that is a future plan, not a completed reopening as of this review.
Separately, construction work is scheduled to suspend trains between Kobuchizawa and Koumi on November 17–19 and December 15–17, approximately 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., without replacement transport. Check the service for your specific day even if the rockfall-related closure has ended. This is particularly important for travel toward Nobeyama and Kiyosato.
Kururi Line: Use Replacement Transport Beyond Kururi
JR East continues to suspend trains between Kururi and Kazusa-Kameyama in Chiba Prefecture. The operator’s current notice (Japanese) lists replacement buses and taxis through March 31, 2027. Confirm where the replacement service stops and allow additional connection time.
Tokachidake: Volcanic Restriction and Separate Winter Road Closure
JMA’s November 6 volcanic update (Japanese) maintains Level 2 around Tokachidake. Stay outside the restricted area approximately 1.5 km from the 62-2 Crater; authorities warn of large volcanic rocks near the crater and ash or smaller rocks farther downwind. Follow the marked restrictions rather than assuming that an open road means the mountain is open for hiking.
The Kamifurano tourism association’s winter road notice (Japanese) says Route 966 is closed between the Hakugin and Bogakudai gates from October 19, 2026, until around late April 2027. This prevents through-driving from Biei’s Shirogane Onsen; use the Route 291 approach from central Kamifurano for Tokachidake Onsen. The road closure is distinct from the volcanic restricted zone.
For Hakuginso (Japanese), the latest facility notice checked still describes November 1 reopening as planned, not confirmed. Check directly at +81-167-45-4126 before traveling. Confirm Fukiage Open-Air Bath separately; Hakuginso’s announcement is not an operating notice for the outdoor bath.
Hokkaido-Komagatake: Crater Area and Akaigawa Trail Remain Restricted
JMA’s November 6 volcanic update (Japanese) maintains Level 2 at Hokkaido-Komagatake. Large volcanic rocks are a hazard within approximately 4 km of the crater. Mori Town (Japanese) says the Akaigawa hiking trail gate is closed. Do not enter closed routes; check local authorities before planning a mountain hike.
Mount Aso: Crater Viewing Is Still Restricted
JMA’s November 6 volcanic update (Japanese) maintains Level 2 at Mount Aso. Entry within approximately 1 km of Nakadake No. 1 Crater remains restricted, and the official local crater-access page (Japanese, with English restriction summary) states that crater viewing is unavailable. Other destinations in the wider Aso area have their own access conditions; check your exact destination rather than treating the entire area as closed.
Should You Change or Cancel Your Japan Trip?
| Your situation | Next step |
|---|---|
| A local evacuation instruction or official closure applies to your destination. | Follow the instruction and change the affected part of your itinerary. Do not bypass a barrier or restricted trail. |
| Your trip includes a rail section with a published suspension or a planned reopening. | Check the actual service on the day of travel; an announced restart is not proof that trains have already resumed. |
| You are booked on an Ogasawara sailing around November 10–11. | Check the revised ferry schedule first, then adjust lodging, activities, and onward flights. Review the operator’s fee-free change and cancellation guidance. |
| You plan to hike or visit an onsen near a volcano. | Check the volcano’s access zone, any separate road restrictions, and the specific facility’s operating notice. |
Your itinerary matters more than a national headline. If an advisory affects a different region, check local conditions on your planned route and keep your own mobility needs, bookings, and risk tolerance in mind.
Official Information
For the most up-to-date guidance, consult these official sources. Individual event and route links appear in the relevant sections above.
- JNTO: Safe Travel Information
- U.S. Department of State: Japan Travel Advisory; Australian Government: Japan Travel Advice
- JMA: Weather Warnings; Tropical Cyclones; Volcanic Warnings
- JR East: Train Status; Ogasawara Kaiun: English Traveler Information
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Japan safe to travel to right now?
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The U.S. and Australian governments recommend normal precautions for Japan overall, while local restrictions still apply. In this November 9 review, check the November 8 earthquake assessment for western Shizuoka and nearby areas, Typhoon No. 32 for Ogasawara, selected railway disruptions, and the volcanic access restrictions above.
- What should I know about the November 8 earthquake in Japan?
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The magnitude 5.7 earthquake was centered in western Shizuoka, with the strongest observed shaking in Chita, Aichi. JMA says there was no tsunami threat from this event and advises caution for about one week in areas with strong shaking. Check local access and transport conditions for the places you intend to visit.
- Has Typhoon No. 32 changed ferries to Ogasawara?
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Yes. Ogasawara Kaiun moved the November 11 Chichijima departure to November 10 at 2:00 p.m., brought forward a November 10 Hahajima departure, and canceled its November 11 Hahajima sailing. The operator says related booking changes or cancellations are fee-free. Check its latest notice for your exact service, since further changes remain possible.
- Can I ride the Koumi Line now?
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The Koumi–Nobeyama section is suspended through November 10 because of a rockfall; JR East plans to restore normal full-line service from November 11. Daytime construction closures are separately scheduled for November 17–19 and December 15–17, without replacement buses. Check the operator’s live notice for your exact travel date.
- Can I visit Tokachidake or Hokkaido-Komagatake?
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Both volcanoes are under Level 2 alerts with restricted zones, and Hokkaido-Komagatake’s Akaigawa trail gate is closed. Tokachidake also has an unrelated winter road closure that affects the approach from Biei. Follow local restrictions and verify the access route and facility you plan to use.
- Can I visit the crater at Mount Aso?
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No. Level 2 restrictions prohibit entry within approximately 1 km of Nakadake No. 1 Crater, so crater viewing is unavailable. Destinations elsewhere in the wider Aso area have different access conditions. Check official local guidance before departure.
