I SLEPT AT THE POLICE STATION MY FIRST NIGHT IN JAPAN!

Yes. This really happened. My first time ever being in Japan and even traveling alone internationally was literally MOVING here. Hehe. I didn’t even realize how uncommon of a situation this was until later. I came to Japan with a small suitcase, medium suitcase, and a heavy backpack. This is a LOT for me to carry btw. So I landed some time at night and I didn’t realize what time it was. My phone was T-Mobile and it was luckily able to connect with another phone carrier in Japan but with super low speed which was definitely better than nothing at the time. I actually didn’t even know what my phone situation was gonna be like once I got here. Didn’t do any research before cause I guess I was just hoping for the best when I landed. Hehe… DON’T JUDGE ME. As if moving to another country by myself wasn’t already a crazy, last minute decision. I barely did much research at all. ANYWAYS, so it was a super cold night in March. I was hungry, sleepy, tired, but the only thing I really wanted at the time was warmth cause I couldn't feel my toes and fingers anymore at that point. The airport had closed so they kicked me out and there were no more buses. There were taxis but every time I tried to wave them down, they didn't stop for me, even though a lot of them were empty. So I tried to download at app called JapanTaxi and tried my very best to call for a taxi. The lady on the phone didn't speak English but she knew what I wanted so she said to wait 5 minutes for a taxi to come and so I did but no one came after 15 minutes had passed. I gave her my exact location and answered all of her questions correctly. I called again and spoke with the same lady and then she told me to wait 5 minutes so I did. But again, no one came and it was after like 20 minutes. I was done trying to call a taxi. I was pretty much frozen solid at this point and I couldn't just simply wander around cause I had too many things and my back was already sore from my heavy backpack. So I left my stuff unattended at the bench I was sitting on but still in view. I saw a police station that was connected to the airport which had its lights on so I decided to check it out. When I came in, there was a police officer at the front desk that stood up when he saw me come in. I knew right away that he didn't know any English cause my first words to him were "I need a taxi" and he looked shocked. It was probably his first time dealing with this kind of situation. I didn't really know what to do next but I told him something like I needed to get my stuff so I ran back out and he actually followed me and HELPED me bring my things in. I was so happy. So... communicating with him was a little difficult but it worked. We were using both of our own phones, google translating and showing each other our phones. At first, he offered to help me get a hotel and I told him "yes." Shortly after though, he offered to let me stay there at the police station if I wanted that instead and that was honestly such a great option cause that saved me money and I kinda didn't wanna go through anymore struggles getting to another location in a new language. The warmth was already super nice in there. So I said yes and he brought out two blankets and a little heater for me. (My heart... I'm so used to mean cops in America so I almost wanted to cry after his kindness.) I was on like a cushioned bench thing. Slept for about 4 ish hours. I woke up, saw the sun and noticed that there were new cops working cause it was a different shift. A different police officer came up to me after I woke up to give me some snacks and water. (THAT WAS SO SWEET. AHHH.) He actually knew a bit of English and he helped me get a bus ticket to my destination. It was a crazy first time in Japan but I somehow managed to survive. SHOUTOUT TO THE SUPER NICE JAPANESE POLICE OFFICERS AT THE FUKUOKA AIRPORT.

Short additional story: I tried coming back months later to thank them with a gift bag and a handwritten card that I had my friend translate in Japanese for me just thanking them for saving my life that night BUT when I tried to give it to them, they STRICTLY did not take the bag but only took the card. I'm kind of a pushy person when it comes to gifts so I tried EXTREMELY hard to give it but the main officer that was there told me that it's their job and they can't accept gifts for doing their job. I was like... FINE. I love snacks anyway so it wasn't a problem for me eating them. Haha. AT LEAST they took the card though OMG. Work was mostly put into that so I'm happy.

So yeah! Just a heads up if you've never been to Japan before, English is not really used here ESPECIALLY in the west. Try to do some research or a little studying before you come here so you don't end up like me! (Unless that's what you want). GOOD LUCK AND SAFE TRAVELS.