TOKYO (Reuters) - An earthquake measuring about 7.3 on the Richter scale shook western Japan on Sunday, the second strong quake to hit a area in five hours, and evacuations were ordered due to approaching tsunamis, broadcaster NHK reported.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, but NHK said tsunamis measuring up to 3 feet were expected to hit the Pacific coast.

Residents of Owase City in Mie Prefecture were ordered to evacuate to higher ground to avoid the tsunamis -- water waves generatd by seismic activity.

An official in Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture saw what appeared to be a tidal wave 1 meter high coming up a river, NHK said.

The quake was felt just before midnight.

Earlier in the evening, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit western Japan, setting off tsunami waves along the Pacific coast, but there were no reports of serious damage, NHK said.

Two people were slightly injured in the city of Kyoto, although some of the strongest tremors were felt in the area of Nara, the ancient capital of Japan where there are many temples.

Tsunamis measured up to 20 inches in some areas, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The agency initially said the quake measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and estimated the largest tsumani at 60 cm.

Train services including bullet-train runs were temporarily suspended after the quake struck shortly after 7 p.m.

The focus of the quake, which measured five on the Japanese intensity scale of seven, was in the seabed off the Kii Peninsula about 310 miles southwest of Tokyo at a depth of about 6 miles, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Authorities lifted tsunami warnings about two hours after the quake, which was also felt in Tokyo, and said there was no worry about damage to coastal areas.

Much of the affected area relies on fishing and agriculture as well as tourism, centered on Nara and Kyoto.

Japan is one of the world's most seismically active areas, with an earthquake occurring every five minutes.

The country accounts for about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude six or greater. A quake of that magnitude has potential to cause major damage in built-up areas.