The US Geological Survey said the 7.8-magnitude earthquake was centred 874km (543 miles) from the Japanese capital, at a depth of almost 700km.
AFP news agency says that buildings in the capital swayed for almost a minute as the quake built in intensity,
The quake shook buildings in Tokyo today, setting off car alarms as it rattled the Japanese capital.
Residential buildings swayed for around a minute as the quake built in intensity at around 8.30pm local time.
In the capital Tokyo, Underground railway services came to a a temporary halt.
Public broadcaster NHK said there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The meteorological agency did not issue a tsunami warning because the quake struck so far beneath the earth’s surface.
