Affordable Ways to Prepare Your Emergency Kits in Japan - 100 yen hidden gem
- Ippo Visa Support
- Dec 25, 2025
- 4 min read
As we enter the last week of 2025, this is a good time to reflect on one essential but often postponed responsibility, preparing an emergency kit.
Japan is a country well known for earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. Disaster preparedness is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, and having an emergency kit is not optional—it is a necessity, whether you are living in Japan short-term or long-term.
Many people hesitate because they assume emergency kits are expensive. In reality, ready-made evacuation kits can cost anywhere between ¥10,000 and ¥30,000, depending on the contents. While these kits are useful, they are not the only option.
In this post, I would like to introduce a more affordable and practical approach—building your own emergency kit using items from 100-yen shops in Japan, which many people overlook.
Why 100-Yen Shops Are a Smart Choice
Japan’s 100-yen shops such as Daiso, Can★Do, and Seria offer a wide variety of disaster-preparedness goods at extremely affordable prices. These stores allow you to prepare a functional emergency kit without a large financial burden, while still covering essential needs.
As discussed in our earlier guide on emergency kit essentials, 100-yen shops are one of the most convenient places to source life-saving items for disasters.
You can purchase the following items in stores (and in some cases online) at Japan’s leading ¥100 shops.
Essential Emergency Items You Can Buy at 100-Yen Shops
🔦 LED Flashlight (Battery or Hand-Powered)
Provides immediate lighting during power outages, which are common after earthquakes and typhoons.
📯 Whistle
Allows you to signal for help if you are trapped or need to alert rescuers.
🛠️ Simple Tools (Wrench, Pliers, Hammer, Gloves)
Useful for shutting off utilities, clearing debris, or protecting your hands during cleanup.
🩴 Slippers / Sandals
Protect your feet from broken glass and debris when evacuating indoors or outdoors.
😷 Masks
Help protect against dust, smoke, and poor air quality after a disaster.
🩹 First Aid Supplies
Items like bandages and triangular towels help treat minor injuries when medical help is unavailable.
🔋 Batteries & Mobile Rechargeable Batteries
Ensure flashlights, radios, and mobile phones remain usable during power failures.
🚽 Portable Toilet
Essential when water supply or sewage systems are disrupted.
🍱 Ready-to-Eat Food & Drinks
Allows you to maintain energy and hydration when cooking facilities are unavailable.
🪥 Toiletries
Basic hygiene items such as wet wipes and toothbrushes help maintain cleanliness during extended emergencies.
🌧️ Plastic Raincoat
Keeps you dry and warm during evacuation, especially during typhoons or heavy rain.
🛏️ Aluminum Emergency Blanket
Helps retain body heat and prevent hypothermia in cold conditions.
🔥 Lighter, Matches, or Candles
Useful for light, warmth, or cooking when electricity is unavailable.
🏕️ Camping Supplies
Compact items such as cups, utensils, or folding containers improve comfort during shelter stays. Adding Japan Emergency Bag Checklist (50+ items!) from @rainbowholic in instagram
Quality waterproof backpack
White safety helmet
Hand crank radio for emergency (choose one that can charge your phone, has solar power and a flashlight)
Crank radio manual
Printed scanned copies of personal documents (passport / residency card / bank information / etc.)
Carabiner keychain clips
Compass
Personal safety alarm keychain
Capsule keyring (write down your personal information / emergency contact details on a paper and put it inside)
Rain coat
Mini journal kit (pen, notebook, washi tape, scissors)
Extra tote bag
Glow sticks and glowing bracelets
Picnic mat
Emergency bag checklist
Portable toilet
Silent aluminum blanket
Heat packs / pocket warmer warmers
Packaging tape / gum tape
Toothbrush and toothpaste set
Mini vanity kit (compressed towel, hair ties, small hair brush, tooth brushing wipes)
Extra plastic bags (for carrying things from one place to another)
Travel neck pillow
LED head lamp / head light
Candles and a lighter
Wet wipes
Towel (optional: keychain towel holder)
Money pouch (cash and coins)
Insect repellant (if you need)
Map of your area
Extra flashlight (2-way flashlight)
Bottled water
Extra masks
Extra clothes (1 pair of pants, 1 long-sleeved shirt, and 1 shirt, and 2 pcs. underwear)
LED light with whistle
Socks
Disposable underwear from Daiso
Sandals
Sanitary napkins for women
Instant food (canned goods, Calorie Mate energy bars, biscuits, etc.)
Candies / chocolates for survival
Sharpie pen for labeling
Safety hand gloves
Tissue pack
Collapsible cup
Eating utensils
Foldable seat cushion (optional)
Medicine (for headache and colds)
First aid kit (bandaids of different sizes)
White flower oil
Alcohol (in a travel size container)
Extra AA batteries
Extra usb cords
Useful camping tool
Umbrella
Foldable fan
USB cords / lightning cables
Kitchen wrap (to keep things waterproof)
Final Thoughts
Disaster preparedness does not need to be expensive. By using 100-yen shops wisely, you can build a practical, affordable, and effective emergency kit tailored to your needs.
As 2025 comes to an end, consider this a reminder to prepare today rather than regret tomorrow. Emergencies do not come with warnings—but preparation makes all the difference.
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