Typhoon Bavi is whipping up waves several metres high as it moves across the sea. On Friday, the winds are expected to reach northern Taiwan and are likely to cause damage, according to the country's meteorological agency.
In Taipei, residents are preparing by tying up boats and placing sandbags in front of store entrances. Ferry departures and flights have been cancelled.
The southern Japanese islands just north of Taiwan are also expected to be affected, with schools and grocery stores there closed on Friday.
After Taiwan and the Japanese islands, Bavi is expected to reach China's east coast this weekend. The country has not yet recovered from the deadly storm that claimed about 40 lives in landslides and floods this week.
The Korean Peninsula is also expected to see heavy rain in the coming days.
