There’s something about wandering a city alone that feels equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking. Last weekend, I decided to visit Shibuya on my own, just to see what the day would bring. Spoiler: it was exciting, confusing and unforgettable.

It all began with the train ride. The Tokyo train system is an adventure in itself. I learned pretty quickly the difference between local and express trains. The local stops at every station, while the express flies past most, so what was a local train ride of 10 minutes to Shibuya turned into a 30 minutes ride to a place I can’t pronounce in the rapid express. Off to a good start. As I watched stations come and pass, all I could think was “Wait, where am I going?”

Once I landed in Shibuya, my first stop was Kura Sushi, one of those conveyor belt sushi spots. If you’ve never been, imagine tiny plates of sushi zooming right to your table like they’re on a mission just for you. And best part? So cheap!

After that, I headed to the heart of Shibuya: the famous Shibuya Crossing. Standing there, surrounded by a sea of people crisscrossing in every direction, I felt a strange sense of calm amid the chaos. It’s one of those iconic spots where you realize just how alive the city is. Of course, I couldn’t resist doing the ultimate tourist move, a picture with Hachiko’s statue. Yes, it’s cliché, but sometimes clichés are worth it.

I spent the rest of the afternoon just soaking it all in, wandering through streets lined with neon lights, dodging crowds, and popping into random shops. By the time I decided to head home, I was feeling pretty accomplished. The best part? I took the local train back.

Looking back, it was the kind of day that reminds you why getting a little lost isn’t so bad. Sometimes, the best memories come from the unexpected. Shibuya might be a city of endless energy, but for me, that day was all about finding my own rhythm in the middle of it.