This Is How I Survived Being Lost (and Drunk) in Tokyo

Tokyo is a city well-known for its busy and lively nightlife, and perhaps no district better encapsulates this than Shibuya. Playing host to many clubs and bars, Shibuya is a must-visit on a trip to Tokyo for tourists looking to experience the city’s nightlife in all its glory.

As such, I knew my 7D6N trip to Tokyo would not be complete without a night (preferably more than one) of bar-crawling and club-hopping. Since my friends who had travelled with me were less keen on partaking in Tokyo’s nightlife culture, I ventured into the night alone.

My first two nights out went smoothly without problems. However, on the third night, things started to go awry. Here’s the time I got lost (and drunk) in Tokyo.

Also read: 12 Best Tokyo Districts and Neighbourhoods to Visit on Your Holiday

Lost in Tokyo: A cautionary and survival tale

One too many drinks

Armed with nothing but my phone, wallet, and my trusty portable Wi-Fi, I set off from my Airbnb in Otsuka, to Shibuya. Knowing I had to wake up early, I planned to be back by midnight. Of course, plans change — especially when they involve drinks.

Fast forward a few hours and some (read: many) drinks later, I was gracefully stumbling to Shibuya station to catch the last train to my Airbnb. Despite having the motor skills of a toddler, I reached the train station and hopped aboard the Yamanote Line with relative ease. 

The first mishap

The next thing I knew, I was jarringly awoken by a train attendant, frantically signalling for me to exit the train. My initial sleepiness was quickly replaced by confusion as I realised the train was at Ikebukuro station, one stop away from my accommodation in Otsuka. I later found out that half the Yamanote line had closed early for maintenance, with Ikebukuro being the final stop. 

Not knowing how to book the famous Tokyo taxi, I knew I had no choice but to walk back to my apartment. A quick search on Google Maps revealed that it was a 30-minute walk away. This was much further than I initially anticipated, but hey, a little cardio never hurt anyone, right?

Things get worse

As a relative optimist, I’d never subscribed to the adage, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” However, if there were ever a time I believed Murphy’s Law governed the universe, it’d be at this moment. 

Just as I was thinking how things couldn’t get any worse, I was greeted by the ominous blinking of my portable Wi-Fi running out of battery. No Wi-Fi meant no internet, and no internet meant… no Google Maps. I was officially lost in Tokyo. 

Help from friendly locals

After a moment of panic, I began to strategise. The first order of business was finding the general direction of my apartment. To do that, I decided to enlist the help of some locals. Since it was around 1am, the streets were rather deserted. Thankfully, I chanced upon two Japanese men in suits. 

Communication was a struggle — one part due to English not being their first language, another part due to my slurred pronunciation. After some back-and-forth, one of the men’s eyes lit up in recognition. “Ah! Otsuka!” he said. He then pointed me in the general direction while chuckling, “Very far.” 

The long walk home

Thus, I embarked on my epic voyage home. Attempting to stay true to the direction pointed out by the friendly locals, I cut through many apartments and across many roads. Roads were particularly difficult to cross as my alcohol-impaired vision prevented me from making out vehicles in the distance. 

Preferring to err on the side of caution, I took far longer than I should have to cross the road. Furthermore, while the streets were fairly well-lit by street lamps, straying off them plunged me into darkness. I found myself constantly relying on my phone as a source of light.

Safe and sound after getting lost in Tokyo

After what felt like an eternity, I began to notice some familiar landmarks. Knowing home was just a stone’s throw away, I hastened my pace. 

Finally, at 4am, my legendary journey had concluded. As I wearily collapsed on the bed, I knew this would be a tale told throughout the ages, even rivalling Frodo’s adventure to the heart of Mordor. 

And that’s how I found myself stranded in the magical city of Tokyo! Moral of the story: Always carry around a portable charger for your devices when out alone in a foreign country.

Also read: 10 Essential Tips for Exploring Tokyo on a Budget

Do you have any similar experiences of getting lost in a new country? We’d love to hear more about it: Reach out to us, and you may be our next Featured Traveller!

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Facebook image credit (L-R): Aleksandar Pasaric via Canva Pro; Chow Cheng Yang