What to Bring Inside Before a Typhoon in Japan: Balcony and Outdoor Safety Tips

I used to pay very little attention to the things left outside when a typhoon was approaching.

I knew there would be strong wind and heavy rain, but I assumed that anything reasonably heavy would stay where it was.

Then one storm changed my mind.

After the typhoon passed, I went into our backyard and found a tall, narrow planter lying on its side. It looked as though it had rolled several times before stopping some distance from where I had left it.

The planter was filled with soil, so it was not particularly light.

My first thought was simple: what if that had been on a balcony or somewhere higher?

Fortunately, nothing was damaged. But since then, I have paid much more attention to outdoor items when a typhoon is forecast.

If you live in Japan, the basic rule is straightforward: before strong winds arrive, move or secure anything that could fall, roll, tip over, or be blown away.

What Should You Bring Inside Before a Typhoon?

You do not need a complicated routine.

Start by looking around your balcony, entrance, garden, and the sides of your home.

Common outdoor items worth moving or checking include:

• Flower pots and planters

• Laundry poles, hangers, and clothespins

• Sandals and slippers

• Buckets and watering cans

• Brooms and gardening tools

• Outdoor trash cans

• Small tables and folding chairs

• Children’s outdoor toys

• Bicycles and bicycle covers

If something can safely be moved indoors, into a storage area, or to a more sheltered location, it is better to do that while the weather is still calm.

When you are unsure about an item, ask four simple questions:

Is it light?
Can it tip over easily?
Does it have a large surface that catches the wind?
Could it hurt someone if it fell from a height?

Those four questions are often more useful than trying to memorize a long checklist.

Heavy Flower Pots Can Still Move in Strong Winds

This was the biggest surprise for me.

I had assumed that a planter filled with soil was too heavy to move very far. My own planter proved otherwise.

Tall or narrow pots can be especially easy to tip over once strong wind hits them.

If a planter is sitting on a shelf, stand, wall, or other elevated place, the risk is not only that the pot may break. It could also fall onto a person, car, bicycle, or something below.

If possible, move flower pots to a low and sheltered location before the storm arrives.

For very large planters, do not hurt yourself trying to carry them.

If they cannot safely be brought indoors, consider whether they can be moved away from exposed or elevated areas while conditions are still calm.

The important point is not to wait until the wind is already strong.

Don’t Forget the Small Things on the Balcony

Some of the easiest items to overlook are the things we see every day.

A pair of balcony sandals does not look dangerous. Neither does a plastic watering can, hanger, bucket, or broom.

But small and light objects can be picked up or pushed around by strong wind.

Laundry equipment deserves attention too.

If strong winds are expected, take in laundry, hangers, clothespins, and other loose accessories.

If your laundry pole can be safely removed or lowered, moving it somewhere protected can also reduce the risk of it shifting during the storm.

Instead of asking whether every object is “dangerous enough,” I find it easier to think:

What is outside right now that does not actually need to stay outside during the typhoon?

That usually makes the answer much clearer.

Check Bicycles and Bicycle Covers

Bicycles are often kept outside Japanese houses and apartment buildings, so they are easy to forget when preparing for a typhoon.

If you have access to a more sheltered bicycle parking area, consider moving your bike before conditions worsen.

Pay particular attention to the bicycle cover.

A loose cover can catch the wind like a sail, so make sure it is not likely to flap violently or come loose.

The best setup will depend on where you live. A bicycle beside a sheltered wall is in a very different situation from one standing in an open parking area.

Rather than relying on one rule for every home, look at how exposed your own bicycle is to the wind.

Clear Balcony Drains Before Heavy Rain

Typhoons are not only about wind.

Heavy rain can also become a problem, especially if water cannot drain properly from a balcony.

Leaves and dirt can block the drain, making it harder for rainwater to flow away.

While the weather is still calm, remove any obvious leaves or debris around the drain.

If your home has shutters or storm shutters, this is also a good time to make sure they open and close normally.

These are simple jobs, but they are much easier to do before the weather becomes severe.

Do Not Go Outside Once Conditions Become Dangerous

This is more important than saving a planter, bicycle, or laundry pole.

If you suddenly remember something outside after the wind has already become severe, do not put yourself in danger just to retrieve it.

Typhoon preparation should be finished before strong wind and heavy rain arrive.

Once conditions worsen, stay away from balconies, roofs, exposed outdoor areas, and anything that could fall or be blown around.

Follow current weather warnings and local evacuation information if authorities issue them.

Where to Check Official Typhoon Information in Japan

For the latest typhoon forecasts, warnings, rainfall information, and storm updates, check the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Local evacuation information may also be available through your city or ward website.

If you are not confident reading Japanese, it is still useful to know the name “Japan Meteorological Agency,” since its weather information is the main official source for typhoons in Japan.

Checking the forecast early also gives you more time to move outdoor items before the weather becomes unsafe.

A Quick Outdoor Check Can Make a Difference

My planter did not damage anything when it rolled across our backyard.

I was lucky.

But seeing something I considered too heavy to move lying far from its original place made me rethink how I prepare for typhoons.

Now, when a storm is forecast, I pay attention to the things sitting outside.

Are there flower pots that could fall? Is the laundry pole still up? Are sandals, buckets, or gardening items outside? What about the bicycle? Is the balcony drain clear?

It only takes a few minutes to notice these things while the weather is still calm.

And sometimes the most useful typhoon preparation is simply noticing what is sitting outside before the wind does.

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