Japan Meterological Agency called Typhoon Trami a “very strong” storm.
Officials issued immediate evacuation orders to more than 26,000 people in the Miyazaki, Ehime, Kagawa, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama prefectures.
These western areas of Japan’s main island of Honshu lie in the direct path of the storm which is now lashing its southwestern tip.
Tokyo is not in the path of the category 2 storm but could be hit by 90mph winds.
Hundreds of flights and train services have been cancelled or suspended along with most local trains and bullet trains.
Officials are urging people to avoid going outside to avoid the dangerous weather.
At least 53 people were injured by Trami as it barrelled through Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefectures yesterday, according to state broadcaster NHK.
More than 300,000 people there are still without power.
Here are all the latest updates as they happen. All times in BST.
9.55am: Storm surge from Trami could be equivalent as Typhoon Vera – Japan’s worst storm in history
The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) is warning Trami’s storm surge could be on par with Typhoon Vera, regarded as the strongest and deadliest storm to ever hit Japan.
Typhoon Vera, known locally as Isewan Typhoon, killed more than 5,000 people when it hit Japan with 190mph winds in 1959.
JMA’s Nagoya office issued the warning this morning at a news conference.
9.49am: Nature extreme weather reporter warns of Trami’s strong power
Storm documenter James Reynolds, who is following Typhoon Trami’s progress, says it has caused more power outages than previous typhoons.
Mr Reynolds shared video footage of the “wild” weather as it hit Okinawa.
He tweeted: “Loads more power outages around Okinawa than I remember from previous typhoons. Damage mostly superficial though. These trees near airport got stripped bare plus some damage to a shop #typhoon #Trami”
He tweeted: “Loads more power outages aroun Okinawa than I remember from previous typhoons. Damage mostly superficial though. These trees near airport got stripped bare plus some damage to a shop #typhoon #Trami
9.35am: What is the latest situation in Okinawa?
At least 52 people were injured as Trami tore through Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefectures.
Most of the injuries were caused by flying glass and including a man in his thirties who suffered a severe cut to his leg.
No deaths have been recorded.
About 300,000 households are still without power in the regions.
9.30am: All Tokyo train services to be suspended because of Trami
Train services in Tokyo will be cancelled from 12pm BST (8pm local time) in advance of Trami’s arrival.
East Japan Railway Co, which operates the major railway lines in the capital, has taken the “highly unusual step of suspending all train services in the Tokyo area”, as reported by The Japan Times.
Trami has already resulted in numerous train and plane service cancellations across western Japan.
9.21am: Strong wind gusts hit Miyazaki
Images show powerful wind guests have reached Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu.
Palm trees can be seen bending sideways due to the force of the winds while rain pounds the ground.
9.10am: Bullet trains have been halted ahead of the storm’s arrival
All services running along the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train connecting Tokyo and Shin-Osaka have now halted until the storm passes.
The last trains arriving at Tokyo and Mishima stopped at 9am (5pm local time).
8.55am update: Where is Typhoon Trami now?
Typhoon Trami is churning just southwest off Shikoku island and is expected to make landfall on mainland Japan in the coming hours.
Japan Meterological Agency is warning the storm is “very strong”.
State broadcaster NHK said concerns have been raised that “wind intensities could reach record levels”.