How to Read JMA Earthquake Intensity Scales in Japan
Japan reports earthquake shaking using the Japan Meteorological Agency’s seismic intensity scale, known as 震度 (Shindo). It runs from 0 to 7, with levels 5 and 6 divided into “Lower” and “Upper”. Unlike earthquake magnitude, Shindo describes the intensity of ground shaking at a particular location. If you see a Japan earthquake alert, check the reported Shindo level for your specific area, then follow official local instructions.
Table of Contents
- What does Shindo mean?
- Magnitude and Shindo are not the same
- The 10 JMA Shindo levels
- How travellers should interpret each level
- What “5 Lower” and “5 Upper” mean
- Where to find official JMA information
- What to do when you receive an earthquake alert
- Final advice for Japan travellers
- Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This article is intended as general travel information only. It is not live emergency advice and must not replace instructions from Japanese authorities, emergency services, accommodation staff or transport operators. Shindo levels describe measured shaking and cannot, on their own, determine the exact risk to an individual building, street or traveller. In an emergency, protect yourself first and follow official instructions.
For travellers, Japanese earthquake reports can initially feel confusing. You may see a news report saying “magnitude 6.0”, while your hotel in 東京 (Tokyo) reports 震度3 (Shindo 3), and another town closer to the earthquake reports 震度6弱 (Shindo 6 Lower). These are not conflicting numbers. They describe different parts of the same event.
Understanding the JMA scale will not predict earthquakes or tell you exactly what will happen in your accommodation. What it can do is help you interpret official alerts, understand why transport may be delayed and recognise when you should pay close attention to emergency guidance—particularly if you are near the coast, in a mountainous area or travelling between cities.
What does Shindo mean?
Shindo, written as 震度, is Japan’s measure of seismic intensity. It describes how strongly the ground shook at a particular observation location. The Japan Meteorological Agency, usually called JMA, calculates and announces intensity values using seismic intensity meters installed on the ground or on the first floor of low-rise buildings.
Because Shindo is based on shaking at a specific place, different areas can record different intensity levels from the same earthquake. JMA explains that seismic intensity varies according to distance from the epicentre and local surface geology.
This is why a single headline about an earthquake’s magnitude does not tell the full story for travellers. A large earthquake can be felt only lightly in a distant city, while a smaller but nearby earthquake can produce stronger shaking in one particular area. Always check the intensity announced for the place where you are staying or travelling.
Magnitude and Shindo are not the same
Magnitude and seismic intensity are often mixed up, but they answer different questions. Magnitude is a measure related to the size of an earthquake. Shindo measures the strength of shaking experienced at a specific location.
| Term | What it describes | Why it matters to travellers |
|---|---|---|
| Magnitude | The size of the earthquake itself. | It gives broad context about the event, but does not tell you exactly how strongly your location shook. |
| JMA seismic intensity / Shindo | The level of ground shaking measured at a particular location. | It is more useful for understanding conditions in the area where you are currently staying or travelling. |
| Earthquake Early Warning | A warning that strong shaking may be about to arrive in an area. | It may provide only seconds of notice. If received, protect yourself immediately rather than searching for more information. |
For example, an earthquake may have one reported magnitude but produce Shindo 2 in 京都 (Kyoto), Shindo 4 in 名古屋 (Nagoya) and Shindo 5 Lower in a community closer to the strongest shaking. The correct response depends on your situation and the instructions provided locally, not on the magnitude number alone.
The 10 JMA Shindo levels
Although the scale is commonly described as running from 0 to 7, it has ten official intensity levels: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Lower, 5 Upper, 6 Lower, 6 Upper and 7. The Japanese words for Lower and Upper are 弱 (jaku) and 強 (kyō).
| JMA level | Japanese alert wording | Typical effects described by JMA |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 震度0 | Imperceptible to people, but recorded by seismometers. |
| 1 | 震度1 | Felt slightly by some people who are quiet indoors. |
| 2 | 震度2 | Felt by many people who are quiet indoors; some people may wake up. |
| 3 | 震度3 | Felt by most people indoors and by some people walking; dishes may rattle. |
| 4 | 震度4 | Most people are startled; unstable ornaments may fall and hanging objects swing significantly. |
| 5 Lower | 震度5弱 | Many people feel frightened and need to hold onto something stable; dishes and items on bookshelves may fall, unsecured furniture may move, and unstable furniture may topple over. |
| 5 Upper | 震度5強 | Many people find walking difficult without holding onto something stable; dishes and books are more likely to fall, televisions may fall from stands, and unsecured furniture may topple over. |
| 6 Lower | 震度6弱 | It is difficult to remain standing; unsecured furniture may move or topple, and doors may become wedged shut. |
| 6 Upper | 震度6強 | It is impossible to remain standing or move without crawling; people may be thrown through the air. Most unsecured furniture moves and is more likely to topple over. |
| 7 | 震度7 | It is impossible to remain standing or move without crawling; people may be thrown through the air. Most unsecured furniture moves and topples over, or may even be thrown through the air. |
These descriptions are examples of typical effects, not guarantees. JMA explicitly states that places recording the same seismic intensity may not experience the same degree of damage. The effects depend on factors including the nature and duration of the shaking, local ground conditions and the construction of individual buildings.
How travellers should interpret each level
At Shindo 1 to 3, travellers may notice light shaking, rattling dishes or gently moving fittings. Stay calm, check your immediate surroundings and monitor official updates. Do not make safety decisions solely from an intensity number: follow instructions from accommodation staff, railway operators and local authorities, even if the shaking feels minor.
At Shindo 4, most people are startled and unsecured objects may fall. Stay away from windows, shelving and tall furniture. Do not rush outside during active shaking. Protect your head and neck, then follow instructions from hotel staff, transport personnel or local authorities after the movement ends.
At Shindo 5 Lower and above, the possibility of falling objects, damaged windows, moving furniture and local disruption becomes more serious. Your immediate response should be personal safety: get low, cover your head and neck, hold onto something stable if possible and wait for the shaking to stop. Do not spend the first moments checking social media, trying to pack luggage or recording video.
At Shindo 6 Lower, 6 Upper or 7, there may be serious local disruption and damage. Follow official evacuation directions, avoid lifts, stay away from damaged buildings and be prepared for aftershocks. If you are near the coast and experience strong shaking, or even weak but long-lasting shaking, evacuate to higher ground or inland as soon as it is safe to move because of possible tsunami risk. Remain in a safe location until authorities cancel the tsunami warning.
What “5 Lower” and “5 Upper” mean
One of the most common points of confusion is the split between 5 Lower and 5 Upper, written as 5弱 and 5強. These are not decimal values and should not be read as 5.1 or 5.9. They are separate categories within the JMA scale.
Shindo 5 Lower means many people are frightened and feel the need to hold onto something stable. Dishes and items on bookshelves may fall, while unsecured furniture may move or unstable furniture may topple.
At Shindo 5 Upper, walking becomes difficult without holding onto something stable. JMA notes that dishes and books are more likely to fall, televisions may fall from stands, and unsecured furniture may topple. Treat both 5 Lower and 5 Upper seriously, but do not assume damage based only on the reported level.
Where to find official JMA information
The most reliable explanation of the scale comes directly from JMA. Save these official links before travelling; each link opens in a new tab:
- JMA: Summary of Tables Explaining the JMA Seismic Intensity Scale (PDF)
- JMA: Monitoring of Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanic Activity
- Japan Meteorological Agency: English-language homepage
- JNTO: Safety Tips for Travellers
For international visitors, download the official Safety Tips app before departure. It provides multilingual notifications for Earthquake Early Warnings, tsunami warnings, weather warnings and other safety information. An alert can give you very little time, so know what to do in advance: protect yourself first, then check official information once you are safe.
What to do when you receive an earthquake alert
Do not wait to understand the exact Shindo level before taking immediate protective action. If shaking begins, or you receive an Earthquake Early Warning, move away from glass and objects that could fall. Get low, protect your head and neck and hold onto something stable if available.
- In a hotel or ryokan: Stay away from windows and large furniture, protect your head, use stairs rather than lifts after the shaking, and follow staff instructions.
- On a train: Remain seated if possible, or hold a rail or strap if standing. Do not force doors or leave the carriage unless instructed by railway staff.
- Outside: Move away from glass façades, signs, walls, utility poles and trees. Protect your head and follow local instructions.
- Near the coast: After strong shaking, or weak but long-lasting shaking, move uphill or inland immediately. Do not wait to watch the sea or search for further confirmation.
Once you are safe, use JMA, JNTO Safety Tips, local authorities, accommodation staff and transport operators as your main sources of information. Expect possible aftershocks and transport delays. Keep your phone charged, retain some yen cash and avoid unnecessary travel until you understand the local situation.
Final advice for Japan travellers
The JMA Shindo scale is useful because it tells you about the shaking experienced in a real location, rather than only the overall size of an earthquake. Remember the essential distinction: magnitude describes the earthquake; seismic intensity describes shaking at a particular place.
Do not use any Shindo number as a reason to ignore local instructions or to decide that a building, road or coastline is safe. Protect yourself during the shaking, follow local authorities afterwards and use official JMA and JNTO resources for reliable updates. Bookmark this guide before your trip and return to Inspires Plus for practical, UK-focused Japan travel planning advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between Shindo and earthquake magnitude in Japan? Magnitude describes the size of the earthquake. Shindo describes how strongly the ground shook at a specific location, so it can vary between cities and neighbourhoods during the same event.
- What does Shindo 5 Lower mean? At Shindo 5 Lower, many people feel frightened and need to hold onto something stable. Dishes and items on bookshelves may fall, while unsecured furniture may move or unstable furniture may topple.
- Is Shindo 7 the highest earthquake intensity in Japan? Yes. JMA’s current seismic intensity scale runs from 0 to 7, with levels 5 and 6 divided into Lower and Upper categories, creating ten intensity levels in total.
- Should I evacuate after every Shindo alert? No. Follow the instructions issued for your location. However, if you are near the coast after strong shaking, or weak but long-lasting shaking, evacuate to higher ground or inland immediately because of potential tsunami risk.
Disclaimer: This article is general educational travel content only. The JMA seismic intensity scale describes measured ground motion at a location; it does not predict personal injury, damage to a specific building or the appropriate response in every situation. During an earthquake, tsunami warning or other emergency, protect yourself first and follow instructions from Japanese authorities, emergency services, accommodation staff and transport operators. Check live information