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As I sit here typing this, I can’t help but think of how I should have taken a video showing the constant rush of commuters at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo! You should have seen how many people were tapping their passes, hurrying at dizzying speed! Some were even wheeling their luggage bags, and they were doing it so effortlessly! How do the Japanese walk so fast?

Add that to the confusing numbers and colours of lines that make up the railway system in Japan. You’re bound to be lost and disorientated, especially if you did little homework and are not fond of apps. The morning we decided to explore Tokyo, the clouds didn’t permit us – it rained heavily. Chances of exploring Tokyo? Zero.

Since we didn’t pack an umbrella or a raincoat, we were stranded somewhere near where we had our breakfast. We people-watched, while we waited out. Somehow overheard this couple’s exchange: “You can put down your umbrella, you know”. “Yeah, I know! I’m trying to!”

Much later, we discovered the rail passes that are worth getting if you’re staying in Tokyo for over a week. While we had maps to guide us, we realised that the best way to ease confusion was simply to ask. Surprisingly, people were friendly.

Notably, there were some people who took friendliness and hospitality to the extent that many Malaysians would be baffled! At this point, we were more confident with the railway system… until I decided to drop by this shop that sold knick-knacks. This was how we chanced upon a Japanese undergraduate, who told us about the Express Train, as we were unaware that it would take us roughly 10 stops, if we were to take the Normal Train. That saved us precious travelling time.

Once we reached our stop, we were at a loss. I took a look at the brochure that listed the knick-knacks shop as one of the places you must visit before you bid Sayonara. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to rely on it, after all. Nobody seemed to know the location. One man even chased after us to say that he might not be correct, after giving directions. Time passed by before I realised why. These people are Japanese! Of course they wouldn’t be able to recognise a shop with an English name! So I unfolded the brochure to have a good read. There, the shop was within a building. All we needed was to look for the building!

Well, the journey to the building was one that will remain concrete. Unsure if we were heading in the right direction, we were almost ready to give up, considering the flight of steps I had to take and how it was getting dark. We waited for a while, silently contemplating if we should ask. One young lady we spotted offered to search for it using her phone! It didn’t occur to us that phone/mobile data reception was problematic because we were underground! So she went up the stairs, while we waited for the outcome. You know what? Not only did she lead us in the right direction, she also took us to the entrance of the building! Best part of all? She told us that she hadn’t been there before! She was so relieved that she found the place for us and she gave us a high five!