Typhoon Chan-hom made Japan’s first recorded landfall in Ibaraki Prefecture on August 11, disrupting flights and trains while bringing destructive winds, heavy rain and widespread power outages.
Typhoon Chan-hom made landfall in southern Ibaraki Prefecture on Tuesday evening, August 11, becoming the first typhoon known to strike the prefecture directly since Japan’s official records began in 1951.
Tropical Storm Chan-hom (JMA #15) is set to landfall near Tokyo this evening, the first recorded typhoon landfall in Ibaraki Prefecture since 1951.
— Rain Viewer (@RainViewer) August 11, 2026
It hits right at the start of Japan’s peak Obon travel period.
Tokyo, Fukushima, and eastern Japan face heavy rain, gusts ~35 m/s,… pic.twitter.com/P6sxBILt87
The storm, designated Typhoon No. 15 by the Japan Meteorological Agency, approached eastern Honshu from the Pacific before turning west-southwest and crossing the Kanto region.
At 7:00 pm, shortly before landfall, Chan-hom was approximately 50 km (31 miles) east-northeast of Choshi in Chiba Prefecture. Its central pressure had fallen to 980 hPa, with maximum sustained winds of 90 km/h (56 mph).
By late Tuesday night, the storm was moving across the area near Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture. It is expected to continue westward across Honshu on Wednesday, August 12, before weakening into a tropical depression near the Sea of Japan.
異例の進路を辿っていた台風15号が、統計史上初茨城県に上陸するとか。我が町大洗もご覧の有様だよ。 pic.twitter.com/a4vQgupx4r
— 黒川武尊 (@hinotama_96) August 11, 2026
An unusual east-to-west track
Chan-hom is following an uncommon route across Japan, moving from the Pacific coast toward the west.
Most typhoons affecting Japan travel from southwest to northeast under the influence of the prevailing winds. Chan-hom was instead steered westward by the position of a high-pressure system extending across the Sea of Japan and waters northwest of Hokkaido.
This ridge blocked the storm from continuing north and forced it to turn across central Honshu. A cold-core low over the region also helped influence the storm’s direction.
The resulting path is taking Chan-hom across some of Japan’s most densely populated regions during the busy Obon holiday travel period.
Up to 180 mm of rain forecast
Warm and humid tropical air circulating around Chan-hom is moving into Tohoku, Kanto-Koshin, Hokuriku and Tokai. Colder air higher in the atmosphere is increasing instability, allowing heavy showers and thunderstorms to develop beyond the storm’s immediate centre.
Rainfall totals during the 24 hours ending at midday Wednesday could reach:
- 180 mm (7.1 inches) in Tohoku
- 180 mm (7.1 inches) in Kanto-Koshin
- 120 mm (4.7 inches) in Tokai
- 80 mm (3.1 inches) in Hokuriku
Authorities warned of landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and rapidly rising rivers. Additional heavy rain is possible across Tokai and Kinki after the storm moves farther west.
Maximum gusts could reach 126 km/h (78 mph) in Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin. Winds of this strength can make normal driving difficult, damage roofs and bring down trees and utility lines.
Approximately 15,310 properties across four Kanto prefectures were without electricity around midnight, according to Tokyo Electric Power Grid. The outages were believed to be associated with Chan-hom’s passage.
【速報】統計史上初 茨城に台風15号上陸
— 報道ステーション＋サタステ (@hst_tvasahi) August 11, 2026
｜
▼東から西に本州横断する“異例コース”
午後8時ごろ、茨城県南部に台風15号が上陸
→茨城県への上陸は統計史上初
午後7時すぎには茨城県内で停電が相次ぐ
→茨城・那珂市内では倒木の影響により電信柱が曲がる被害も… pic.twitter.com/O1avhuDvvl
Flights, trains and roads disrupted
At least 64 flights operated by Japan’s two largest airlines were cancelled by Tuesday afternoon. All Nippon Airways cancelled 58 services, while Japan Airlines cancelled six, affecting approximately 11,900 passengers.
Most cancellations involved flights using Haneda, Narita and other airports in eastern Japan. Airlines urged passengers to check their flight status before travelling.
JR East initially operated the Tohoku Shinkansen normally, but warned that delays or cancellations could occur as conditions deteriorated.
Several Hitachi limited express services on the Joban Line were partially suspended between Iwaki and Sendai. Operators also warned of possible disruption to other conventional railway lines.
NEXCO East said heavy rain could force the closure of both directions of the Ken-O Expressway between Inashiki Interchange in Ibaraki and Taiei Junction in Chiba.
Festivals and fireworks cancelled
Numerous outdoor events scheduled for August 11 were cancelled or postponed.
The final day of LuckyFes’26 at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki was cancelled after organisers determined that strong winds and heavy rain would make it impossible to protect visitors and staff.
The Koto Fireworks Festival in Tokyo was cancelled, while the Shobuta Beach fireworks in Miyagi were postponed. The Mikuni Fireworks Festival in Fukui, one of the largest displays in the Hokuriku region, was also suspended.
Residents across the storm’s path should remain indoors during the strongest winds, avoid coastal areas and stay away from swollen rivers and unstable slopes. The latest warnings and track information are available from the Japan Meteorological Agency.
