Here is my first post on yourjapan.jp. The setup process was pretty easy, so hopefully you guys can share your stories and your lives in Japan as well.
I think some people have a rosy or irregular view of Japan, and often most people have no idea what the reality is over here. So I think it’s great for people to share what happens to them in daily life, so you can understand more about this fascinating country.
Here is a story to get started.
The stage, on a whim, I came to Japan. I packed my bags, saved a small amount of cash. Maybe enough to survive for a month while I looked for a job. I piled onto the airplane full of curiousity and excitement, but with no fixed expectations.
I couldn’t sleep very well for the 13 hour flight. The food was bad, and I had a splitting headache. Exhausted and zombie-like, I left the plane and picked up my luggage, which seemed 3 times heavier. I pulled it over, and began trying to find my hotel, which I booked 2 days earlier.
The confusion hit me first - I could no longer understand my surroundings. People brushed past me speaking a language that made no sense, the kanji everywhere heightened my confusion and sense of discomfort. I finally found the train station, but I couldn’t make sense of the complicated maps, prices and train lines. I boarded the wrong train, and travelled aimlessly and confused for hours.
I asked for assistance multiple times, to be sent in the wrong direction or given bad directions. I was given several maps with hard to understand directions. I was hungry, confused, upset, tired and a deep feeling of sickness in my stomach was starting to grow. I pushed on.
Finally, I somehow arrived at my station. I blinked, almost in disbelief that I managed to find the correct place. This began my new problem of finding directions to the hotel.
Once again, I was sent in wrong directions, I was given confusing maps, and policemen who couldn’t speak English waved me on, despite my desperate requests for help. My luggage was heavy, my entire body was hurting and I had a terrible headache. I started to question myself - what the hell was I doing? This is a foreign country, I have no idea whats going on, I dont speak the language, I don’t have a job, what the hell am I doing here?
My thought process was interrupted by an old homeless man. He came up and stood in front of me. I stood there with my mouth open. I started to explain, in English, "Look, I dont have any fucking money. I’m sorry, ok? I’m tired, I dont know whats going on, and I can’t help you.", I said, knowing that he couldn’t understand me.
He stood there, looking at me. Then without warning, he took my map. I was shocked. "Give that back. Hey, come back here!", I cried. He walked off. I chased after him, trying to get back my only lifeline.
"Listen mate, I dont know what you want, but I can’t help you. I need that map though. Come back here.", I said desperately. I was starting to get angry. Who the hell was this guy, and what did he want? Why can’t he leave me alone. He turned into a small alley. I paused - maybe I was going to be attacked. I considered my alternatives - I needed that map to find my hotel. I had no choice - I continued after him, ready for a physical attack.
It came - he grabbed my arm. I got ready to throw a punch at this old man. He then turned, and pointed to my hotel. He had lead me directly to where I needed to go. With a strange smile, he turned on his heel, and walked off into the scorching humidity, leaving me confused, grateful and surprised.
Shaking my head, I entered the hotel.
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