Millions of people in greater Tokyo are stranded far from home after Japan's biggest earthquake on record shut down the capital's massive subway system.
Sirens wailed through Tokyo, television helicopters flew overhead and people rushed to the city's ubiquitous 24-hour convenience stores, quickly emptying shelves of bento boxes, sandwiches and instant noodle cups.
Countless workers, who had fled violently swaying office blocks, found themselves stuck far from their families, and unable to speak to them because the overloaded mobile phone system could not carry most calls.
"I have no idea how I'll get home," said an 18 year-old woman waiting outside Ginza subway station.
