Abeno Tasukaru (Abeno Disaster Prevention Learning Center) — Local services in Osaka

I would recommend you to have at least N3 level JLPT to visit this centre. I visited it without making a reservation for the 1 hour A course disaster preparation route, lucky that I could communicate and understand Japanese (JLPT N2 level achieved).

You will learn how to protect yourself when earthquake, fire as well as other disasters occurred. Videos and interactive games (smoke evacuation) and a chance to experience a Richter magnitude 7 level is included. As the whole tour is conducted in only Japanese, you cannot follow instructions when the staff asked you to do it.

There are other interactive games as well as a counter selling goods in preparation of emergency.

I can truly understand how well the Japanese are preparing for the inevitable great earthquake to come, and once again I do trust it is one of the best countries in dealing with earthquake as...

What an amazing centre! The friendly staff had advised us that we had just missed a tour but we were welcome to explore the centre at our leisure (as it’s free to enter). They have so much information but the way it’s relayed made it very engaging. Half way through, the staff approached us to see if we wanted to experience their earthquake simulator and we could not believe the impact. Even with us holding handrails and receiving a countdown warning, a man stumbled during the exercise. The exhibit is primarily in Japanese but we wouldn’t let this dissuade you. A very insightful, educational experience...

Went for a truncated disaster course which was conducted in Japanese, with some english translated placards to help guide us. We were taught what to do in the event of a disaster - when in a kitchen, when out on the street; and lastly the experience of a simulated earthquake.

The total experience for us was about one hour and the earthquake simulation lasted about 5 min.

Overall, a...