What do earthquake intensity numbers mean in Japan?

Find out how Japan's shindo scale from 0 to 7 describes shaking at your location, how it differs from magnitude, and what each level feels like.

Published October 21, 2026 at 8:28 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan reports earthquake shaking with the shindo scale, which runs from 0 to 7, with levels 5 and 6 split into lower and upper. It measures how strongly the ground moves at a specific place, unlike magnitude, which describes the energy released at the source. Levels 1 to 3 are light, while 5 lower and above can move furniture and cause damage.

Shindo versus magnitude

Every earthquake report in Japan includes two kinds of numbers. Magnitude describes the size of the earthquake at its source, so each event has one magnitude. Seismic intensity, called shindo in Japanese, describes the shaking at a particular location, so one earthquake can produce several shindo values across different cities.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) explains that intensity varies with the distance from the epicenter and with the surface geology at each point. A mid-sized quake close to a city can feel stronger than a much larger quake far away. For travelers, the shindo number at the place where they are standing is the figure that matters most.

Think of it as a light bulb and a room. The bulb has one brightness, but each room receives a different amount of light depending on how far away it is and what lies between. Magnitude is the bulb, and shindo is the light in your room, which is why reports quote both when a notable quake occurs.

The scale from 0 to 7

JMA's scale has ten degrees: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 lower, 5 upper, 6 lower, 6 upper and 7. Instruments called seismic intensity meters measure the shaking, so the number is calculated rather than guessed by people. JMA operates hundreds of such meters, and local governments and research institutes add thousands more, which is why reports can be given for towns and not only for large cities.

Lower and upper divisions exist for 5 and 6 because the difference between them is large in practical terms. Reading shindo 5 upper on the news means a more serious situation than 5 lower, and the extra detail helps authorities and residents judge what to do. Level 7 is the highest and is rare.

Shindo 0 is shaking recorded by instruments that people do not feel. That detail explains why seismologists log far more tremors than visitors ever notice, and why the lowest numbers rarely appear in everyday conversation outside weather and earthquake bulletins.

What each level feels like

At shindo 1, the shaking is felt slightly by some people sitting quietly indoors. At 2, many people at rest feel it and some sleepers wake, and hanging lamps sway slightly. At 3, most people indoors feel it and dishes in cupboards may rattle. At 4, most people are startled, hanging objects swing noticeably and unstable ornaments may fall.

At 5 lower, many people are frightened and want to hold something stable, and dishes and books on shelves may fall. At 5 upper, walking becomes hard without support. At 6 lower, it is difficult to stay standing, and at 6 upper people may need to crawl. JMA's description of 7 focuses on furniture and structures, noting that most unsecured furniture moves and topples. These are typical descriptions, not guarantees.

JMA stresses that effects vary with ground conditions, building construction and the character of the shaking. For that reason, two people on different floors of the same building can describe the same quake differently, and tall buildings can sway for longer on their upper floors.

What happens to services and buildings

JMA also describes typical effects on infrastructure. Rail and highway services may stop for safety checks from about shindo 4. Gas meters with safety devices shut off at about 5 lower or higher, and elevators with earthquake controls stop automatically at about 5 lower or higher. Water and electricity outages may occur from around 5 lower.

For buildings, JMA explains that wooden houses with low earthquake resistance, generally those built up to 1981, begin to show wall cracks around 5 lower, while houses built from 1982 usually show cracks only from 6 lower. This helps explain why the same shindo value can have very different results in different buildings. Skyscrapers can sway slowly for a long time during long-period ground motion.

Reading the numbers as a traveler

When a phone alert or television report appears, look for the shindo value in your region. A report of shindo 1 to 3 usually means a brief, mild shake, and daily plans normally continue. Shindo 4 may delay trains while staff inspect the tracks. Shindo 5 lower or higher is the point at which some services stop and hotels may check on guests.

Japanese reports often list several areas with their own values, using prefecture and city names. Visitors can find the region where they are staying on a map and read the number beside it. English-language news and the JMA English site also give the values, and hotel staff are usually glad to explain what a report means.

Local news banners often show a map with colors for each shindo level. Warmer colors mean stronger shaking, and a legend nearby explains the numbers. Even without reading Japanese, the numerals are easy to recognize and compare.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings

The most frequent confusion is treating magnitude and shindo as the same thing, or converting one into the other. JMA's page does not provide a formula linking them, because the ground motion at a place depends on distance, depth and local soil. Another is assuming that a higher number always means disaster; shindo 3 and 4 events are common and mostly harmless.

Some readers mix up the shindo scale with the Richter or Mercalli scales they know from home. Japan uses its own system, and its descriptions are based on what instruments record and what typically happens indoors and outdoors. A quick look at the official table clears up most of the confusion.

A third mix-up is to wait for a number before acting. Alerts and shaking come first, and the official figure follows afterward, so protective steps such as covering the head should start immediately and not wait for the shindo report.

Practical next steps

Bookmark the English pages of JMA before traveling and save the shindo table to the phone. At the hotel, ask where the evacuation route is, and keep an eye on alerts if a strong shake is reported. For any official action, follow staff and public announcements first.

This guide shares general information, not professional advice; for health concerns, talk with a doctor or local clinic. Scales and official services can be updated, so confirm details on the agency's own pages before relying on them during a trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shindo 5 dangerous for tourists?

Shindo 5 lower or higher can move furniture and make standing difficult, so it deserves attention. Protect your head, stay away from windows and shelves, and follow staff and official alerts. Most buildings used by visitors are built to resist strong shaking.

Does a bigger magnitude always mean stronger shaking at your location?

Not necessarily. Magnitude is the energy at the source, while shindo is the shaking at your location. A smaller quake nearby can feel stronger than a larger one far away, so the local shindo value is the better guide.

Where can travelers see the latest shindo values?

The Japan Meteorological Agency posts earthquake information in English on its official website, and television and radio in Japan also report values after notable quakes. The national tourism organization lists the same sources in its safety guidance. Check the agency's pages for the current list of events.

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