Short answer. Japan has no blast-proof public bunker network for the general population. Instead, prefectures designate existing buildings as civil-protection evacuation facilities: as of 1 April 2026 there were 103,226, of which 62,382 are emergency temporary evacuation facilities (sturdy concrete buildings) and 4,540 are underground 1. Find the nearest one on the Cabinet Secretariat's civil-protection portal 23.
What counts as a public shelter in Japan?
Under the Civil Protection Act (国民保護法), Article 148, prefectural governors (mayors in designated cities) must designate evacuation facilities in advance, with the owner's consent, meeting criteria set in Article 35 of the Enforcement Order 2. They are existing public and private buildings, not purpose-built bunkers.
| Category (1 April 2026) | Number |
|---|---|
| Evacuation facilities (避難施設) | 103,226 |
| of which emergency temporary evacuation facilities (緊急一時避難施設) | 62,382 |
| of which underground facilities | 4,540 |
Source: Cabinet Secretariat, FDMA and Cabinet Office update of 25 August 2026 1.
What are emergency temporary evacuation facilities for?
They give short-term protection from blast and fragments, for example during a missile alert, until the surroundings are confirmed safe 4. They are not designed for long stays. Facilities able to hold people for about 2 weeks, called specified temporary evacuation facilities (特定臨時避難施設), are being built only in 5 municipalities of the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa 45. Their technical guideline is described on the shelter standards page.
Is there a place for everyone?
The government reports 100% population coverage of emergency temporary evacuation facilities for all designating authorities as of 1 April 2026 1. The second period, 2026-2030, targets 100% coverage at municipal level, including daytime population 4. Coverage means a designated building exists nearby; it does not mean a protected bunker.
How do I find my nearest facility?
The Cabinet Secretariat civil-protection portal offers two tools 2:
- By map — kokuminhogo-map.go.jp (data as of 1 April 2025) 3.
- By list — downloadable lists on kokuminhogo.go.jp/hinan/ (data as of 1 April 2026) 2.
Look up the facilities near your home, workplace and children's school before you need them. The portal pages are in Japanese.
What if no facility is nearby when an alert sounds?
Do not travel far to reach one. Shelter in the nearest building or underground space 2. Outdoors, go into the nearest building, preferably concrete, or underground; if there is none, take cover or lie flat and protect your head 6. Indoors, move away from windows, ideally to a windowless room 6. A missile may arrive less than 10 minutes after launch 6. The full sequence of messages is on the alerts page; for the decision between staying and leaving after a nuclear event, see /guides/shelter-or-evacuate.
Frequently asked questions
Does Japan have nuclear bunkers?
Not for the general population. The March 2026 Cabinet policy says shelters against nuclear attack are among the standards still under study 4.
Are subway stations shelters in Japan?
Underground spaces can be designated: 4,540 underground facilities were counted on 1 April 2026 1. Check the official map or list for the specific station 32.
Can I go to any concrete building during a missile alert?
Yes. If no designated facility is nearby, the guidance is to shelter in the nearest building or underground space rather than travel 26.
Are evacuation facilities the same as earthquake evacuation sites?
This page covers civil-protection facilities designated under the Civil Protection Act 2. Check your municipality's own disaster evacuation sites separately.
Sources
- 内閣官房・消防庁・内閣府 — 避難施設一覧の更新について（令和８年８月25日） — https://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/pdf/hinan/01_R8hinanshisetu.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) — 避難施設 - 内閣官房 国民保護ポータルサイト — https://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/hinan/index.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) — 国民保護ポータルサイト 地図から探す — https://www.kokuminhogo-map.go.jp/kokuminhogo/map (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) — 緊急事態を想定した避難施設（シェルター）の確保に関する基本方針（令和８年３月31日閣議決定） — https://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/pdf/hinan/260331shelter_hontai.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) — 緊急事態を想定した避難施設（シェルター）の確保に関する基本方針（概要） — https://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/pdf/hinan/260331shelter_gaiyou.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) — 弾道ミサイル飛来時の行動 — https://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/kokuminaction/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Japan, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- 内閣官房・消防庁・内閣府 · 避難施設一覧の更新について（令和８年８月25日） checked 2026-10-20
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) · 避難施設 - 内閣官房 国民保護ポータルサイト checked 2026-10-20
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) · 国民保護ポータルサイト 地図から探す checked 2026-10-20
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) · 緊急事態を想定した避難施設（シェルター）の確保に関する基本方針（令和８年３月31日閣議決定） checked 2026-10-20
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) · 緊急事態を想定した避難施設（シェルター）の確保に関する基本方針（概要） checked 2026-10-20
- 内閣官房 (Cabinet Secretariat) · 弾道ミサイル飛来時の行動 checked 2026-10-20