Breaking summary (April 20, 2026, 6 PM JST)
- Earthquake: Occurred at 4:53 PM, off Sanriku, depth ~10 km, M7.5 (JMA revised), max intensity upper 5.
- Observed tsunami: 0.8m at Kuji Port at 5:34 PM, 0.4m at Miyako at 5:22 PM, 0.3m at Hachinohe at 6:04 PM.
- Tsunami warning (3m) remains active for Iwate, Aomori Pacific, and central Hokkaido Pacific coasts; Miyagi is under a tsunami advisory.
- Tohoku Shinkansen: Suspended Tokyo – Shin-Aomori; no resumption forecast as of 5:31 PM.
- Akita Shinkansen: Suspended line-wide.
- Tokaido Shinkansen: Resumed at around 5:07 PM with some delays.
- Sendai Airport Access Line: Suspended.
- Senzan Line: Gradually resuming from around 5:45 PM.
- Miyagi-area local lines: Widely suspended temporarily after the quake.
- Evacuation orders issued in Ofunato City and Noda Village (Iwate).
This article reflects the situation as of 6 PM JST on April 20, 2026. Warning lifts, resumption times, and power restoration change minute by minute. Always confirm the latest from JMA, JR East, NEXCO, and airport official sources before you travel.
Introduction
At around 4:53 PM on April 20, 2026, an M7.5 earthquake (after JMA revision) struck off the Sanriku coast. Shaking reached upper 5 on the Japanese intensity scale in Hashikami, Aomori, and lower 5 across wide areas of Iwate, Aomori, and Miyagi (sources: JMA, Yahoo! Weather & Disaster, NHK News — April 20, 2026).
A 3m tsunami warning was issued for the Pacific coasts of Iwate, Aomori, and central Hokkaido, and a tsunami advisory for Miyagi. An 80cm tsunami was observed at Kuji Port, confirming that tsunami impact has already reached the coast (sources: NHK News, Weathernews — April 20, 2026, 6 PM JST update).
The quake has heavily disrupted the Tohoku and Akita Shinkansen, Sendai Airport Access Line, Tohoku-area local lines, expressways, and airports. The Tokaido Shinkansen briefly stopped even in the Kanto region. This article walks through what we know about transit impacts right now, along with apps, refund rules, and alternate routes aimed at foreign residents.
TL;DR
- Tohoku and Akita Shinkansen are fully suspended. No resumption forecast as of 5:31 PM.
- Tokaido Shinkansen resumed around 5:07 PM with residual delays.
- Sendai Airport Access Line is suspended; many Miyagi-area local lines were suspended temporarily. Senzan Line is gradually resuming.
- Evacuation orders are in effect in Ofunato City and Noda Village; tsunami warning remains active.
- 80cm of tsunami was observed at Kuji Port — stay away from the coast and rivers.
- Extended suspensions usually come with fee-free refunds and rebooking. Keep every ticket.
- Best app combo for foreign residents: JR East App / Doko-Tre / Yahoo Transit / JMA / NHK World / NERV.
1. Shinkansen status
Tohoku Shinkansen
- Section: Tokyo – Shin-Aomori (both directions)
- Status: Suspended
- Cause: Earthquake-triggered power outage between Shiroishi-Zao and Shin-Aomori, plus facility inspections.
- Resumption: No restart forecast as of 5:31 PM. Tracks, viaducts, overhead wires, substations, and tunnels all require inspection.
- Sources: JR East Shinkansen Service Info; NHK News, Iwate Nippo, khb TV, Travel Watch — April 20, 2026 reports
For M7-class earthquakes, even partial recovery can take from several hours to well over a day. If you can’t absorb a long delay, consider non-rail options right away.
Akita Shinkansen
- Section: Tokyo – Akita (entire line)
- Status: Suspended
- Cause: Both the Shinkansen segment (Tokyo – Morioka) and the Tazawako Line (through-route) are under inspection.
- Sources: Akita Sakigake Shimpo, NHK News — April 20, 2026 reports
Tokaido Shinkansen
- Status: Briefly suspended Tokyo – Shizuoka, resumed at around 5:07 PM.
- Current impact: Delays on some trains.
- Note: Likely stopped for inspection in sections where intensity 3+ was recorded.
- Source: Yomiuri Shimbun Online — April 20, 2026
Hokuriku / Joetsu / Yamagata Shinkansen
- Hokuriku Shinkansen briefly suspended right after the quake, now resumed (source: NHK News, April 20, 2026).
- Joetsu and Yamagata Shinkansen: no major reported restrictions at this time, delays possible.
2. Tohoku-area local lines
According to Sendai Television, most sections of the Miyagi in-prefecture local lines were temporarily suspended after the quake (source: Sendai TV, April 20, 2026).
Status (as of 6 PM)
| Line | Section | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sendai Airport Access Line | Sendai – Sendai Airport | Suspended |
| Senzan Line | Sendai – Yamagata | Gradually resuming from ~5:45 PM |
| Tohoku Main Line | Miyagi / Iwate area | Temporarily suspended; progressive safety checks |
| Tazawako Line | Morioka – Omagari | Suspended |
| Kitakami Line | Kitakami – Yokote | Suspended |
| Ofunato Line | Ichinoseki – Sakari | Suspended (coastal) |
| Kamaishi Line | Hanamaki – Kamaishi | Suspended |
| Yamada Line | Morioka – Miyako | Suspended (coastal) |
| Hanawa Line | Koma – Odate | Suspended |
| Hachinohe Line | Hachinohe – Kuji | Suspended (coastal) |
(Sources: JR East Tohoku service info, Yahoo! Transit, Sendai TV, Travel Watch — April 20, 2026)
Coastal lines (Ofunato, Yamada, Hachinohe) generally do not resume until the tsunami warning is lifted. Since the warning is still active, resumption will come after the warning ends plus safety checks.
To see exactly where JR East trains are right now, use Doko-Tre (どこトレ) — JR East’s real-time train location service. It shows delays and current stopping points live.
Kanto / Greater Tokyo impact
- Several JR lines stopped briefly for safety checks right after the quake.
- Most have resumed, but residual delays remain on some lines.
- The timing overlapped with evening rush hour, so expect crowding at stations.
3. Expressways and general roads
No unified official list of specific sustained closures is available yet. Things to watch:
Areas needing attention
- Sanriku Expressway: Coastal route — elevated and low-altitude sections inside tsunami warning zones may be restricted.
- Tohoku Expressway: No major damage reported; temporary inspection closures on bridges and tunnels are possible.
- Route 45 (Sanriku coast): Authorities sometimes ask general drivers to stay off the road so evacuation traffic can move.
Where to check
- NEXCO East Japan
- Japan Road Traffic Information Center (JARTIC)
- Google Maps (visualizes closures and congestion)
(Links are consolidated in the “Live sources to check right now” section at the end of this article.)
If you’re driving in a coastal area, head for high ground immediately. Evacuating by car risks getting stuck in traffic. Leave the car and evacuate on foot. Evacuation orders are already in effect for Ofunato City and Noda Village.
4. Airports
Sendai Airport (SDJ)
- The Airport Access Line is suspended, limiting rail access to the airport.
- Sendai Airport was struck by the 2011 tsunami, so during tsunami warnings, runway operations can be restricted.
- Check flight status on the official Sendai Airport flight information page (link at the end of this article).
Iwate Hanamaki Airport (HNA)
- Likely under inspection. Contact your airline for flight-specific impact.
Aomori Airport (AOJ) / Misawa Airport (MSJ)
- Inland airports face lower tsunami risk, but cancellations and delays are possible.
Where to check
- Sendai Airport official site (link at the end of this article)
- Miyagi Prefecture “Sendai Airport regular route status”
- Airline official apps (ANA, JAL, LCCs)
- Flightradar24 / FlightAware for delay tracking
Before heading to the counter, try rebooking via your airline’s app or member page — usually faster than queuing. If you need Sendai Airport, pre-check airport bus and taxi alternatives since the rail access line is down.
5. How refunds and rebooking work
When a major earthquake causes long suspensions, rail and airline companies typically offer fee-free refunds and rebooking as a special measure.
JR Shinkansen and limited express
- If an express train is 2+ hours late, the limited express fee is fully refunded.
- If your route includes a suspended section, full refund or change to the next operating day is usually available.
- Processing is done at ticket windows or machines. Don’t throw your ticket away.
Flights
- Cancelled flights get full refunds or free rebooking.
- For the same fare and route, airlines sometimes allow transfers to other carriers.
Highway buses
- Cancellations typically lead to full refunds.
- Process through your booking channel (Kousoku Bus Net, Hatsusha Oraikan Net, etc.).
Refund deadlines vary by product. A safe rule: handle it within two weeks of the scheduled departure. Take a photo of your ticket, boarding pass, and booking number on your phone right now.
6. Apps and information sources (foreign-resident edition)
Rail
- JR East App: Service info and delay certificates (English available)
- Doko-Tre (どこトレ): JR East’s real-time train position service
- Japan Travel by NAVITIME: English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese; routes that factor in suspensions
- Yahoo Transit: Fast with suspension data
- Google Maps: Subway and major private rail status
Expressways and general roads
- Google Maps: Closures and congestion visualized
- NEXCO East app: Detailed expressway info
- Yahoo Car Navi: Real-time traffic
Airports and flights
- Airline official apps (ANA, JAL, Peach, etc.)
- Flightradar24 / FlightAware: Aircraft positions and delays
- Google Flights: Handy for cancellations
Earthquake / tsunami / evacuation
- JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) — multilingual (link at the end)
- NHK World — English live coverage
- NERV Disaster Prevention app — Multilingual real-time push for quakes, tsunamis, evacuation
- Safety Tips — JTA’s disaster app for foreign visitors and residents
- Iwate Disaster Information Portal — shelters and road closures
When Japanese news is too fast, run NHK World live and the NERV app side by side. NHK World is often shown on station and airport monitors too.
7. If you absolutely must travel
Alternate routes to consider
- Tokyo → Northern Tohoku: If Shinkansen suspension drags on, consider Haneda → Aomori / Misawa, or an overnight bus via the Tohoku Expressway. Night buses may also be cancelled depending on road status.
- Within Kanto: When JR is disrupted, combinations of private railways and buses can be more reliable.
- Coastal travel: Wait until the tsunami warning is fully lifted. Unless urgent, push travel to the next day.
Securing a place to stay
- If you might be stranded at a station, book a hotel early. Try Booking.com, Rakuten Travel, or Jalan.
- During major disasters, hotels near stations fill up first — decide quickly.
- Local governments sometimes open temporary shelters. Watch station staff announcements and municipal social media.
Forcing yourself home tonight can raise the risk of a secondary incident. Consider staying overnight somewhere safe. A quick LINE or email to your workplace or school is almost always accepted.
8. FAQ
Q: How long do I have to refund a Shinkansen ticket?
A: If your train is suspended and you can’t use the ticket, JR allows refunds or extensions. Generally you have up to one year from the boarding date, and special rules often apply during major events. Visit a ticket window as early as possible to be safe.
Q: I have a business trip to Tohoku tomorrow. What should I do?
A: First, contact the other party to see if remote or a later date works. Then check, in this order, Shinkansen resumption prospects, airline seat availability, and highway bus service. The key is not relying on a single mode.
Q: I’m worried about my Japanese at the station
A: A translation app (Google Translate, DeepL) on your phone is enough to get by. Major urban stations often have multilingual staff. JR East’s contact center also handles English.
Q: I bought my Shinkansen ticket with a credit card. How does the refund work?
A: Refund at the same channel you bought from (window, machine, or Eki-net). Credit card payments are refunded to the card. When the refund is under disaster-related special measures, fees are usually waived.
Q: Are taxis running?
A: In urban areas yes, but right after a quake, traffic jams and surging demand make them hard to catch. Ride-hailing apps like GO, DiDi, and Uber improve your chances.
Q: Where are the evacuation shelters?
A: Ofunato City and Noda Village (Iwate) have issued evacuation orders and opened shelters. Search “避難所” or “shelter” on Google Maps, and check the Iwate Disaster Information Portal (link at the end) for opening status.
Key Takeaways
- ✅ M7.5, max intensity upper 5; 80cm tsunami observed at Kuji Port.
- ✅ Tohoku and Akita Shinkansen are suspended; no resumption forecast as of 5:31 PM.
- ✅ Tokaido Shinkansen resumed around 5:07 PM with residual delays. Hokuriku Shinkansen has also resumed.
- ✅ Sendai Airport Access Line and many Miyagi local lines are suspended. Senzan Line is gradually resuming.
- ✅ Evacuation orders in effect for Ofunato City and Noda Village — avoid coastal travel.
- ✅ Strongest app combo: JR East App / Doko-Tre / JMA / NHK World / NERV.
- ✅ Fee-free refunds and rebooking are likely. Keep every ticket and booking record.
Live sources to check right now
When you need the very latest status, start with these ten official sources. Inline links to news coverage throughout the article remain for provenance, but this short list is what you actually open to take action.
Earthquake, tsunami, and evacuation
Rail
Airport
Expressways and general roads
This article is based on publicly available information as of 6 PM JST, April 20, 2026. Service status, suspensions, tsunami warnings, and evacuation orders are updated in real time. All travel decisions must follow the latest official guidance and instructions from local authorities. The news links embedded above are for provenance and may be updated or removed over time.
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