Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Disasters

What to Put in an Emergency Go-Bag

Goal of this lesson

Be able to pack the things you will grab when you evacuate in a backpack, add the things you personally need such as medicine and copies of your ID, and prepare and check it.

Explanation

An emergency go-bag (非常持ち出し袋) is a bag you can grab right away when you evacuate. Pack it in a backpack so your hands are free, and keep it somewhere easy to see, such as by the front door.

Examples of contents are drinking water, food, a flashlight, a portable radio, a first-aid kit, clothes, rain gear, valuables, writing materials, and tissues. Also add the things you personally need, such as the medicines you take regularly and your medication notebook (お薬手帳), glasses, a smartphone charger, copies of your ID, and a note with the contact details of your family and other important people.

Separately from the go-bag, it is reassuring to keep drinking water (about 3 liters per person per day) and food at home for at least 3 days, and ideally for 1 week in case of a large disaster. Check the contents from time to time and look at the expiry dates of food and batteries.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

逃げる ときに すぐ 持って いく 袋（ふくろ）を 作ります。

・リュックに 入れます。両手が 使えます。 ・玄関（げんかん）など、すぐ 取れる 場所に 置きます。

入れる もの： ・水、食べ物 ・ライト、ラジオ ・薬（くすり）、お薬手帳（おくすりてちょう）、めがね ・スマホの 充電器（じゅうでんき） ・服、雨がっぱ ・お金、身分証（みぶんしょう）の コピー ・家族の 電話番号の メモ

家にも 水と 食べ物を 3日分 以上 用意します。水は 1人 1日 3リットルです。

Check quiz

Q1

What is best for an emergency go-bag?

  1. A backpack that keeps both hands free
  2. A large suitcase
  3. A paper bag
  4. A basket you carry by hand
AnswerA. A backpack that keeps both hands free

With both hands free, you can evacuate safely.

Q2

About how much drinking water should you store per person per day?

  1. 100 milliliters
  2. 3 liters
  3. 10 liters
  4. None is needed
AnswerB. 3 liters

The guideline for drinking water is 3 liters per person per day.

Q3

What should people who take medicine regularly put in the bag?

  1. Only snacks
  2. A game console
  3. Their medicine and medication notebook
  4. A photo album
AnswerC. Their medicine and medication notebook

With a medication notebook, it is easier to tell doctors and pharmacists at the evacuation site which medicines you usually take.

Q4

Where should you keep your emergency go-bag?

  1. At the back of a closet
  2. At the back of your car trunk
  3. At a friend's house
  4. Somewhere easy to see, such as by the front door
AnswerD. Somewhere easy to see, such as by the front door

Keep it where you can grab it right away.

Q5

At least how many days of water and food should you store at home?

  1. Half a day
  2. 3 days
  3. Only 1 month or more
  4. You do not need to store any
AnswerB. 3 days

At least 3 days, and ideally 1 week in case of a large disaster, is considered desirable.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What should I do with my residence card and passport?

A. Carry the originals with you at all times, and put copies of your ID in the go-bag; they will be useful if you lose the originals. Taking photos with your smartphone is also a good idea.

Q. How many days of medicine should I have?

A. For medicine for a chronic condition, it is said that having at least 3 days' supply, and ideally about 7 days', is reassuring. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how much you can keep on hand.

Q. What if the bag is too heavy to carry?

A. Make the go-bag a weight you can carry while walking. Do not try to put everything in it: store most of the water and food at home, and put in the go-bag the things you need for evacuation first.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original