HAKODATE Travel Tips

When you see earthquake news in Japan, you’ll hear the word “Shindo” (Seismic Intensity). Unlike Magnitude, which measures the earthquake’s energy, Shindo measures how much the ground actually shakes at your location.

To help you stay calm, here is how we locals honestly feel at each level.

The “Shindo” Scale: A Local’s Perspective

• Shindo 1–2: Most people don’t notice, especially if walking.
• Shindo 3: You’ll notice it if you are sitting or lying down. Light fixtures might sway slightly. For Japanese people, this is business as usual. No need to panic or stop what you’re doing.
• Shindo 4: Almost everyone notices. Even earthquake-hardened Japanese people will brace themselves and wait for it to stop.
• Shindo 5 Lower: (The level we felt in Hakodate on Dec 8, 2025). Your instincts tell you to grab a table or handrail. Items may fall from shelves, and you’ll notice the shaking even while driving.
• Shindo 5 Upper: Time for life-saving actions. We hide under tables and protect our heads. Weak walls or shelves may collapse.
• Shindo 6 Lower/Upper: It’s difficult to keep standing. Expect power or water outages. Old buildings may sustain damage.
• Shindo 7: Catastrophic. This was the level of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. It is extremely rare in history.

Note: Depending on the Magnitude and depth of the epicenter, the “feeling” (side-to-side vs. sudden jolt) can vary even at the same Shindo level.

3 Tips for Travelers: Stay Safe, Not Scared

• 1. Don’t Panic: Staying calm is your best safety measure. With translation apps, the language barrier is much smaller today. Panic often leads to unnecessary accidents or friction.
• 2. Ask the Locals: If you experience a “Shindo 5 Lower” or higher, ask hotel staff or nearby locals:• “Should I evacuate?” “Should I stay here and wait?”
• 3. Use NHK’s English Audio: During major earthquakes, NHK (Channel 1) usually provides simultaneous English interpretation on their sub-audio channel. If you are at a hotel, ask the staff to switch the TV audio to English.
• 4. Prepare a “Cane Before You Fall”: We recommend downloading this app to accompany your travels. In Japan, we have a saying, “Korobanu saki no tsue”, which literally means “a cane before you fall.” It reflects the wisdom that it’s always better to have your support (a cane) ready before you actually stumble.

• Safety tips app (Supervised by Japan Tourism Agency): https://www.jnto.go.jp/safety-tips/eng/app.html

Knowledge and preparation are your best tools. We want you to feel secure while enjoying our city!

Enjoy every moment of your Hakodate journey, and travel safe!