Running out of gas in Tokyo is a matter for the embassy.
The other day we were driving back to the airport in Narita outside Tokyo when we run out of gas. We had just spent a few days working on the KamLAND experiment near Toyama. Because of our work and travel schedule in Japan we had rented a van - a full-size minivan in Japan! Three of us decided to drive around Japan instead of taking the train.
Heavy snowfall in the Western part of Japan made us leave KamLAND the evening before our flight departure and drive through the night. At about 2am we made it to Tokyo. Having driven all night we didn't realize that we were critically low on gas. Just 20 miles short of the airport hotel in Narita our van slowed down and came to a stop in the middle of an empty Tokyo highway. Just passed Tokyo Disneyland. I had jokingly suggested we should stay there for the night. Within minutes the expressway patrol came. With flashing orange lights they pulled up behind us, and immediately set up some traffic cones and a torch to warn the occasional passing car or late night cab.
It was easy for the highway patrol to realize that we were out of gas. Having escaped one of the heaviest snowfalls in Western Japan we thought it wouldn’t take too long to get some roadside assistance and gas to continue our journey ….
After detailed consultation of their emergency procedures and multiple phone calls the highway patrol still didn’t know how to get us some roadside assistance. Phone calls to the rental car company told us that they can only help in case of an accident but not if you run out of gas. By that time our cell phone – the only connection to the English-speaking world - had run out of battery. In good MIT spirit, my colleague tried to find a technical solution to the problem. A spare extension cord was cut apart to connect the cell phone to the battery of his camera…. We lacked the soldering iron in the van to complete this fix.
An hour into this roadside emergency the highway patrol indicated that they wanted to see our passports. We had the choice between American, Dutch, and German. And before we knew it, the operator of the American embassy assisted us, speaking to us through the cell phone of the highway patrol. She confirmed that we needed some gas and were willing to pay $150 for 10 liters – the maximum amount to be sold on Japanese highways.
Only another hour later roadside assistance showed up. By now it was approaching 5am and the cold of a Tokyo winter night had settled in. In the meantime additional highway patrollers had shown up indicating us in unmistakingly clear sign language that you don’t run of gas on a Tokyo highway.
Next time I will take the train ….
Hello Karsten,
I came across your bio and was interested in speaking with you regarding a request for an appearance at an event. I am a special events planner at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California. This year our Physics Day falls on May 6, 2005 and we are looking for ideas to enhance the experience for the students at our park. Do you think you would be interested in speaking about your life as a physicist? Touching on details relating to how your career has grown, what sorts of things you do, where you have travelled and insight on your discoveries. Particle physics should be an area of interest for high school students, especially since you could serve as local role model for the students in the Bay Area interested in Physics as a career.
Please contact me either via email or by phone at 707-556-5235 whether you may be interested in participating in our event or not. I would appreciate feedback!
Thank you!
Lori
Posted by: Lori | February 14, 2005 at 10:22 AM
Karsten,
As a veteran of Japan life, I can sympathize with your story on many levels. Believe me, it probably wouldn't have gotten much better even if you knew Japanese. Your story reminded me of the time I ran out of cash and couldn't pay a highway toll in Japan (which can be upwards of $50). They had me pull over and go into
the highway toll office for about 3 hours, called my work associate at home, and made him promise to make me pay later. Later I spent about 3 or 4 hours driving and also walking in circles trying to figure out how to access that office without getting on the highway (min $30 toll). Anyway, your story beats mine!
Ross
Posted by: Ross | July 12, 2005 at 08:55 PM