M5.7 in western Shizuoka: Nagoya shook, trains stopped for a while
This week's news · Checked 2026-11-10
What happened. An earthquake struck western Shizuoka Prefecture at 1:04am Japan time on 8 Nov 2026 (00:04 in Malaysia), about 40 km deep, magnitude 5.7 (JMA). The strongest shaking was upper 5 on Japan's 0-to-7 intensity scale, in Chita, Aichi Prefecture. Lower 5 was recorded in several towns in Aichi, Nagano, Gifu and Shizuoka, including part of Hamamatsu. Most wards of Nagoya recorded 4; Osaka, Kyoto and Nara recorded 3, and Tokyo's 23 wards 1. JMA said there was no tsunami risk.
The Star (AFP, 9 Nov) and Bernama (Kyodo, 8 Nov) reported at least 20 people hurt, mostly lightly, in Aichi and Shizuoka, plus broken shop windows and goods knocked off shelves. Both reported train services, including the Shinkansen, stopped and delayed for a while that morning before running again. Authorities asked residents to stay alert for aftershocks over the following days (Bernama). JMA's earthquake list on the morning of 10 Nov showed no other felt quake centred in western Shizuoka since.
What it means for you.
- Taking the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka next month? The line runs through Hamamatsu and Nagoya, the area that shook hardest this time. In a strong quake, trains can brake on their own and stop for a while. Don't pick a train that's tight against your flight; leave a few hours.
- On a train when it shakes: hold a strap or handrail, protect your head, follow the staff and don't step down onto the tracks yourself (Safety tips app, Japan Tourism Agency, checked 6 Nov 2026).
- Before you fly: install the Safety tips app (earthquake and tsunami alerts; no Malay, so set it to English or Indonesian) and save 110, 119, the Japan Visitor Hotline 050-3816-2787 and the Embassy of Malaysia, 03-3476-3840. Step-by-step actions by place (hotel, station, lift, seaside) are in our earthquake guide for families.
- Alerts only reach a phone with data. One option: Japan eSIM on Klook (check the price and validity on the day you book).
Before you fly: Map of 231 halal places & prayer rooms (US$6.99) — December Edition, 15 Nov.
Affiliate links may be used; your price doesn't change. Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency, earthquake information (English), data for 8 Nov 2026 01:04 and the earthquake list on 10 Nov 2026; The Star (AFP), "Midnight earthquake rattles cities", 9 Nov 2026; Bernama (Kyodo), "Magnitude 5.7 Quake Strikes Central Japan, Leaving At Least 20 Injured", 8 Nov 2026. Safety steps from Safety tips (Japan Tourism Agency), checked 6 Nov 2026. Checked 10 Nov 2026.