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.
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