The quake had a magnitude of 6.8 and was centered in Niigata prefecture some 250 km (155 miles) northwest of Tokyo.
Buildings swayed as far away as Tokyo, and we felt a strong jolt at home - it actually lasted longer than other earthquakes we felt before.
Scary to see the fire at a nuclear power station - it was actually outside...
The saddest part is that already 7 people are confirmed dead.
