Blogger – Travels With Matt Blog

What to Do If You Experience an Earthquake in Japan: A Traveler’s Guide

Japan is one of my favorite places in the world, but there is one reality every traveler should understand before visiting: Japan has earthquakes.

The recent earthquake in the Kumamoto area is another reminder of that.

On July 28, 2026, a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, reaching a magnitude of 7.1 and maximum intensity of 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. The earthquake caused significant damage and disruption across the region.

That doesn’t mean you should cancel your first trip to Japan. Far from it.

But if you’re traveling to Japan for the first time, you should know what to do if the ground suddenly starts moving.

The good news is that Japan has extensive earthquake preparedness systems, early-warning technology and procedures designed around earthquakes. And as a traveler, there are a few simple things you can do to make the experience much less stressful.

What Travel Teaches You About Time

Time behaves differently when you travel.

It’s one of those things that doesn’t make much sense until you’ve experienced it yourself.

Back home, the days can blur together. Monday becomes Friday before you know it. Weeks disappear into meetings, errands, rush hour traffic, and routines that quietly repeat themselves. You look at the calendar and wonder how another month has already passed.

Then you travel.

And somehow, time changes.

Tokyo, the Second Time Around

The first time you arrive in Tokyo, it hits all at once.

The size. The movement. The constant flow of people and sound and light. It’s exciting, but it’s also a lot to take in. You’re figuring things out in real time—how the trains work, where to go, how to move without getting in the way. Every step feels new, and every decision takes a little more effort than it should.

You’re in it, but you’re still adjusting.

This Isn’t a Checklist—It’s Your Trip

There’s a version of travel that looks good on paper.

Every hour accounted for. Every “must-see” pinned. Every popular spot squeezed into a schedule that barely leaves room to breathe. It feels productive. It feels efficient.

It also misses the point entirely.

The First Time I Felt Like I Belonged in Japan

There’s a point on some trips when something shifts. You stop feeling like a visitor.

You stop checking maps every few minutes. You stop worrying about whether you’re doing things “right.”

And suddenly, you just start moving through the day like everyone else.

That moment happened for me in Osaka.

The Dream of Living Somewhere You Don’t Need a Car

Living in Florida means accepting one simple reality: you need a car. And it’s something that is almost always a major pain on a weekly basis.

I dream about about living in a place that would not require a car just to make it down the street.

Do You Need to Know Japanese to Travel to Japan?

As you prepare to travel to Japan, you are probably wondering how much Japanese you will need to know to make it comfortably around the country? The answer may surprise you as you pack that Japanese dictionary and download some lessons while packing your bag.

Japan Is the Place That Never Lets Me Go

Why Traveling to Japan Continues to Shape How I See the World

There are places you visit, places you enjoy, and places you remember fondly. And then there is Japan — the place that never really lets you leave.

Lost in the Middle of the Map

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want this blog to be moving forward. Travel still excites me more than anything—packing a bag, stepping into a new place, wandering a city I’ve never seen before. But the act of blogging about it? Lately that feels a little less like an adventure and a little more like homework.

Thank you, Japan

I returned home a few weeks ago after spending two weeks in Japan, exploring Tokyo, Osaka, and several smaller towns along the way. It was one of most incredible trips I have ever had in my four visits to the Land of the Rising Sun.

The sites, the foods, the places I experienced and the people I met along the way will always hold a special place in my heart. Makiko, Kayoka, Ittaa, Yoshie, Yoshi, Hiro, Yumi, and so many more I can’t list all made my trip incredible. From the knowledge, the care, and stories each one shared along the way made the trip one of the best I have ever taken in my entire life.

My life has not been the same since I got back to the states, with my thoughts always on Japan and missing the world I was lucky enough to live in for two weeks. A piece of my heart is still in Japan and I miss it every day.

Back to Japan: One Week Until My Fourth Adventure Begins

It’s hard to believe, but I’m just one week away from returning to Japan! My suitcase is packed (for now), my itinerary is mostly locked in, and my excitement level is officially off the charts. After nearly two years away — my last visit was in 2023 — it feels incredible to be heading back to a country that never stops inspiring me.

My packing philosophy for travel

When it comes to packing for a trip, I follow two key strategies: redundancy in travel gear and optimizing for convenience. These approaches ensure I’m prepared for any situation while making my travels as smooth as possible. Let me explain.