A man makes his way through heavy rain in Kagoshima
(Picture: AP)Two million people in Japan have been told to seek shelter amid warnings they face "unprecedented" storm risks.
Typhoon Nanmadol has made landfall on Kyushu island today, with winds hitting up to 168mph.
A "special alert" is in force, with warnings of landslides, flooding and homes at risk of collapse.
Train services and flights have been cancelled.
The typhoon is expected to turn north-east on Monday and move up through central Japan towards Tokyo.
An official from Japan’s meteorological agency said: "There are risks of unprecedented storms, high waves, storm surges, and record rainfall."
The agency urged residents to seek refuge in sturdy buildings.
In the hard-hit Kagoshima prefecture, more than 9,000 residents took shelter at evacuation centres on Sunday. In the neighbouring Miyazaki prefecture, another 4,700 people were evacuated.
Hundreds of domestic flights in and out of the region have been cancelled and more are planned to be grounded in western Japan through Tuesday as the typhoon heads northeast, according to Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
Hundreds of domestic flights have been cancelled and more are planned to be grounded in western Japan through Tuesday as the typhoon headed northeast, according to Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
Public transportation including trains and buses in Kagoshima and Miyazaki were suspended throughout Sunday. Railway operators said bullet trains on Kyushu island also have been suspended.
