Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer (Post 2650884)

I was at Takadanobaba station in Tokyo when it happened. It hit just as my train arrived so I got into the train because that was much safer than being on the platform with an overhang and signs above my head. At first, no one really thought anything of it; just like in California, small earthquakes happen quite often. It was after it went on for over 30 seconds that you could see people's faces get the "oh my god is this the big one" look. I don't think it lasted 5 minutes but it was at least 3 which is an eternity for a quake! Soon after I left the station the first aftershock hit and you could see buildings swaying. (thank god for Japanese earthquake architecture!) Had this been a third world country the entire place would be leveled. And honestly, had this been California even I think the damage would have been a lot more severe.