Building your first emergency home kit

在宅避難Why a home kit, not just a go-bag

A go-bag is what you grab when you must leave. A home kit is what lets you stay. Tokyo’s official handbook says you should shelter at home if it is possible to keep living there, and warns that apartments bring their own problems:

Official English · Tokyo Metropolitan Government 東京都

“Although condominiums and apartments that satisfy seismic resistance standards are at little risk of collapsing, there is a possibility that water may be cut off due to power outages, or that the elevators may stop working.”

— 「東京防災」English edition, ch.1 pp.34–35: https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/029/136/tb2023_e_11.pdf · checked 1 Nov 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) explains why a few days is not enough:

Translated · MAFF 農林水産省

“Past experience shows that in many cases it takes a week or more from a disaster until lifelines are restored. Relief supplies may not arrive for 3 days or more, and with logistics stopped, food may not be available in supermarkets or convenience stores for a week. For this reason, a household food stock of at least 3 days to 1 week × the number of people is said to be desirable.”

原文 (Japanese original)

過去の経験によれば、災害発生からライフライン復旧まで1週間以上を要するケースが多くみられます。また、災害支援物資が3日以上到着しないことや、物流機能の停止によって、1週間はスーパーマーケットやコンビニなどで食品が手に入らないことが想定されます。このため、最低3日分～1週間分×人数分の食品の家庭備蓄が望ましいといわれています。

— 農林水産省「災害時に備えた食品ストックガイド」(1): https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter01.html · checked 1 Nov 2026

どれくらい？How much: the official numbers

Official English · Immigration Services Agency 出入国在留管理庁

“Prepare a first aid kit and enough food and water for at least three days (for seven days if possible).”

— Guidebook on Living and Working, ch.10 Emergencies and Disasters: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001451207.pdf · checked 1 Nov 2026

• Drinking water: 3 litres per person per day, for 3 days (Prime Minister’s Office; Tokyo Bousai uses the same 3 L figure).
• Large disasters: 1 week of stock “is said to be desirable” (Prime Minister’s Office).
• Water for flushing is extra. Keep a tank of tap water or keep the bath filled (Prime Minister’s Office).
• Check your ward’s hazard map: MAFF says it is also important to stock more, such as 2 weeks, depending on your area.

ローリングストックStart with rolling stock

You do not need a cupboard of army rations. Japan’s official advice is to stock what you already eat, just a little more of it.

Translated · MAFF 農林水産省

“‘Rolling stock’ means buying a little more of your everyday food, eating the oldest first with the best-before date in mind, and buying more to replace what you used, so that a set amount of food is always stocked at home.” It can be done within normal shopping, and only needs a little more storage space. “If possible, prepare one week’s worth.”

原文 (Japanese original)

「ローリングストック」とは、普段の食品を少し多めに買い置きしておき、賞味期限を考えて古いものから消費し、消費した分を買い足すことで、常に一定量の食品が家庭で備蓄されている状態を保つための方法です。…※できれば1週間分を備えましょう

— 農林水産省「災害時に備えた食品ストックガイド」(2): https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter02.html · checked 1 Nov 2026

Official English · Tokyo Metropolitan Government 東京都

“The key to stockpiling is to always have a little extra of the items you regularly use.”

— 「東京防災」English edition, ch.1 p.36: https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/029/136/tb2023_e_11.pdf · checked 1 Nov 2026

Want a list sized for your household? Tokyo’s free Tokyo Stockpiling Navi (English) calculates one.

狭い部屋の収納Small apartment? Storage that works

MAFF’s storage chapter (translated summary):

• Spread it out. If water doesn’t fit in one place, use the gaps: kitchen, oshiire (押し入れ), living room, bedroom closet.
• Heavy low, light high, to help stop things falling and causing injuries.
• See it, date it. Use boxes you can see into, write the best-before date on the side, put new stock at the back and eat from the front.
• After a disaster, eat what’s in the fridge first, then move on to your stock.
• Keep the cassette stove and gas together on a low shelf, so they can’t fall on you.

水Water

• Tap water: MAFF says tap water can be used as drinking water for about 3 days thanks to chlorine. Fill a clean container with a lid right to the top, close it tightly, and keep it out of direct sunlight in a cool place.
• Long-life water (保存水): MAFF says its best-before date is 5 to 10 years, versus about 2 years for normal mineral water.
• Water for heating food in hot water, washing food and dishes is needed on top (MAFF), and so is water for flushing (Prime Minister’s Office).

食料と熱源Food and a way to heat it

The Prime Minister’s Office lists 3 days of emergency food such as rice (e.g. alpha rice), canned food, dried fish and hardtack (kanpan), plus toilet paper, tissues, portable/simple toilets, matches, candles and a cassette gas stove. It also says to prepare, as far as possible, foods you use in everyday life rather than special ones.

Translated · MAFF 農林水産省

“How many spare gas cartridges do you need? About 6 cassette cartridges per person per week.” Mind the expiry: cartridges about 7 years, stove about 10 years.

原文 (Japanese original)

1人／1週間当たり、カセットボンベ約6本の備蓄が必要となります。注）使用期限にご注意（ボンベ：約7年、コンロ：約10年）

— 農林水産省「熱源を確保しよう」: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter07.html · checked 1 Nov 2026

MAFF also notes that of all lifelines, gas takes the longest to restore, so it suggests a cassette stove even if you live in an all-electric home (ch.9).

トイレToilet: the one people forget

If water is cut or drain pipes are damaged, you can’t flush. In apartments, Tokyo Bousai says to refrain from using toilets until the sewerage facilities have been checked (ch.1 pp.34–35).

Official English · Tokyo Metropolitan Government 東京都

“Portable toilets can be attached to a toilet bowl… They are used by excreting into the bag, stabilizing the water content with an absorbent sheet or coagulant, and tying closed the bag each time it is used. It may be several days before garbage is collected.”

“Taking one week as a guide, the amount of waste produced will be the number of times a person excretes per day, multiplied by the number of people, and multiplied by 7. When storing such waste, it is a good idea to keep hygiene in mind and prepare gloves, deodorant, coagulant, zip-lock plastic bags and plastic bags whose contents cannot be seen.”

— 「東京防災」English edition, ch.1 pp.42–43 Toilet Preparation: https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/029/136/tb2023_e_11.pdf · checked 1 Nov 2026

So: count your own bathroom trips per day, multiply by people and by 7, and buy at least that many bags.

明かり・電源Light, power and batteries

• Flashlights: FDMA says ideally one per person. Add spare batteries and a portable radio (FDMA checklist).
• The Prime Minister’s Office says to keep a flashlight, slippers and a whistle within reach of where you sleep.
• Phone power: Tokyo Bousai says to get into the habit of carrying a charged power bank, and to prepare a portable solar panel or battery-powered charger for long-term evacuation (“keep both solar-powered and battery-powered smartphone chargers”, ch.1 pp.88–89).
• Apartment tip from Tokyo Bousai: a wall-mounted or lantern-type solar light on the balcony can be brought inside in a blackout.
• Medical equipment at home? Tokyo Bousai: “prepare extra batteries in case of a blackout” (ch.1 p.83).

When the power actually goes out, see What to do when the power goes out.

貴重品・薬Papers, money and medicine

Translated · FDMA 消防庁

Valuables to prepare: cash, 10-yen coins (for public phones), bankbook, personal seal, health insurance card, driver’s licence. “For bankbooks, cards, health insurance card, driver’s licence etc., it is a good idea to prepare a note of the numbers or a copy.” First aid: a first-aid kit, a copy of your prescriptions, and your regular medicine.

原文 (Japanese original)

現金・10円玉・預金通帳・印鑑・保険証・免許証。10円玉は公衆電話用に。通帳、カード、健康保険証、運転免許証などは番号を控えたメモかコピーを用意しておくとよいでしょう。救急箱・処方箋の控え・胃腸薬・便秘薬・持病の薬

— 消防庁「非常用持出品チェックシート」: https://www.fdma.go.jp/relocation/bousai_manual/too/pdf/mocidashi.pdf · checked 1 Nov 2026

Official English · Immigration Services Agency 出入国在留管理庁

“A person who is 16 years and over needs to carry his / her residence card at all times.”

— Guidebook on Living and Working (English), Residence Card: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001450885.pdf · checked 1 Nov 2026

家族・ペットKids, older relatives and pets

Official English · Tokyo Metropolitan Government 東京都

“If you have an infant or child, or if you are elderly, a woman, or have allergies, be sure to add items that you will require to your emergency bag.”

— 「東京防災」English edition, ch.1 p.40: https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/029/136/tb2023_e_11.pdf · checked 1 Nov 2026

Tokyo Bousai’s model stockpile list includes, for example, powdered milk (stick type), liquid milk and allergy-friendly baby food for infants, hearing-aid batteries and rice porridge for older people, and sanitary products (ch.1 pp.36–37). MAFF publishes a dedicated guide for babies, older people, people with chronic illness or food allergies: 要配慮者のための災害時に備えた食品ストックガイド (PDF, Japanese).

Translated · Tokyo Metropolitan Government 東京都保健医療局

“Preparing for your pet is the owner’s responsibility. As a guide, stock pet disaster supplies for at least 5 days, ideally 7 days.” Examples: food and water, the animal’s regular medicine, bowls, toilet items (pet sheets, cat litter), collar and lead, health records (medical history, vaccinations), a photo of you with your pet, a cage or carrier.

原文 (Japanese original)

ペットのための備えは飼い主の責任です。最低でも5日分、できれば7日分を目安にペットの防災用品を備蓄しておきましょう。◆防災用品の例 ・フード及び水 ・動物の常備薬 ・食器 ・トイレ用品（ペットシーツ、猫砂など） ・首輪及びリード ・健康の記録（既往歴、ワクチン接種歴がわかるもの） ・写真（飼い主と一緒に写っているもの） ・ケージ、キャリーバッグ

— 東京都保健医療局「『同行避難』するために」: https://www.hokeniryo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kankyo/aigo/bousai/doukou-hinan · checked 1 Nov 2026

台風Typhoon season

The Prime Minister’s Office says more typhoons approach or hit Japan from July to October. When you see news that a typhoon or heavy rain is coming, it says to:

• check your disaster supplies again, including your emergency bag;
• reinforce your home before the rain and wind get strong;
• check the route to your evacuation site, and the hazard map;
• if you evacuate, keep belongings to a minimum and carry them on your back so both hands are free.

どこで買う？Where to buy it in Japan 広告 / PR

This section is WardReady’s shopping help, not official guidance. You can build most of a kit without a special trip:

• Supermarkets and convenience stores: water, canned food, retort pouches, instant rice: your rolling stock.
• Drugstores (ドラッグストア): medicine, wet wipes, masks, sanitary products, baby formula and baby food.
• 100-yen shops: zip bags, plastic wrap, foil, work gloves, small lights and batteries.
• Home centers (ホームセンター): water tanks (ポリタンク), cassette stoves and gas, portable toilet sets, often a 防災 corner.
• Online (Amazon.co.jp, Rakuten): heavy cases of 保存水 delivered to your door, handy if you have no car or live upstairs.

ラベルの読み方Japanese labels to look for

印刷用リストPrintable short list

Print this list ▸

Next: tick off all 47 items in the go-bag & 3-day stockpile checklist (FDMA and Prime Minister’s Office lists), then check your ward’s shelters and free bousai items: Chiyoda · Chuo · Minato · Shinjuku · Bunkyo · Taito · Sumida · Koto · Shinagawa · Meguro · Ota · Setagaya · Shibuya · Nakano · Suginami · Toshima · Kita · Arakawa · Itabashi · Nerima · Adachi · Katsushika · Edogawa. For what to do when the shaking starts, read the earthquake guide.

出典Sources (checked 2026-11-01)

• Prime Minister’s Office of Japan 首相官邸 「災害への備え 事前にできること」 (page updated Oct 2026): https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/headline/bousai/sonae.html
• Prime Minister’s Office of Japan 首相官邸 「大雨・台風」 (page updated Oct 2026): https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/headline/bousai/taifu_ooame.html
• FDMA 消防庁 「地震防災マニュアル」 備蓄品を備える: https://www.fdma.go.jp/relocation/bousai_manual/pre/preparation081.html
• FDMA 消防庁 「非常用持出品チェックシート」 (PDF): https://www.fdma.go.jp/relocation/bousai_manual/too/pdf/mocidashi.pdf
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 農林水産省 「家庭備蓄ポータル」: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/
• MAFF 「災害時に備えた食品ストックガイド」 (Mar 2019), ch.1 家庭備蓄のすすめ: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter01.html
• MAFF ストックガイド ch.2 ローリングストック: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter02.html
• MAFF ストックガイド ch.5 命をつなぎ止める水: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter05.html
• MAFF ストックガイド ch.7 熱源を確保しよう: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter07.html
• MAFF ストックガイド ch.9 備蓄食品の収納テクニック: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/chapter09.html
• MAFF 「要配慮者のための災害時に備えた食品ストックガイド」 (Sep 2026, PDF): https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/foodstock/attach/pdf/guidebook-15.pdf
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government 東京都 「東京防災」 English edition, Disaster Preparedness Tokyo (2023 revision), ch.1 (PDF), pp.34–43, 70–71, 82–83, 88–89: https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/029/136/tb2023_e_11.pdf
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Stockpiling Navi (English): https://www.bichiku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Public Health 東京都保健医療局 「ペットの防災 同行避難するために」: https://www.hokeniryo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kankyo/aigo/bousai/doukou-hinan
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan 出入国在留管理庁, Guidebook on Living and Working, ch.10 Emergencies and Disasters (English, PDF): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001451207.pdf
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Guidebook on Living and Working, full English edition (PDF), Residence Card section: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001450885.pdf

The Immigration Services Agency also collects multilingual disaster information here: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/01_00469.html.