Typhoon Man-yi has battered central Japan, forcing the evacuation of almost 300,000 households amid fears the storm could go on to hit the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

The typhoon made landfall in Toyohashi, Aichi prefecture, shortly before 8.00am (0900 AEST) on Monday, packing gusts of up to 162 kilometres an hour, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

An aerial view shows residential areas flooded by the Yura river in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto prefecture. Credit:Reuters

Public broadcaster NHK said four people were missing in landslides or floods, while at least 65 people were injured and more than 860 houses flooded.

The typhoon was moving north-northeast at a speed of 55km/h, with the eye of the storm passing within 50 kilometres north of the capital around noon.