Lost something in Japan? How to get it back

Wallets, phones and bags really do come back here. Where to look first, how to report it at a koban, how the lost-property system works, and what to do about a lost residence card or bank card.

Last updated 4 October 2026

First hour: where to look

Left it on a train? Go to any station office (or call the railway's lost-and-found) with the line, direction, time and which car. Items stay with the railway for a few days before going to the police.
In a taxi? Your receipt has the taxi company and car number. Call them.
In a shop, café or office? Call or go back. Staff almost always keep found items.
On the street? Report it at the nearest police box (交番, kōban).

Reporting it (遺失届, ishitsu todoke)

1Go to any koban or police station, or use your prefecture's online lost-property report.
2Describe it: what, colour, brand, what was inside, where and when you lost it. The more detail, the easier the match.
3Keep your report number (受理番号). You'll need it if you call back.
4Check the prefecture police's online lost-property search for the next days and weeks.

Under Japan's Lost Property Act, found items are kept by the police for three months. The finder can ask for a reward of 5–20% of the value; most people don't, but it's legal and normal to offer a thank-you.

Lost cards: stop them first

Lost	Do this
Bank cash card or credit card	Call the card's stop number immediately, then report to the police.
Phone	Lock it remotely (Find My / Find My Device), call your carrier to suspend the line.
My Number card	Call the My Number card stop line (24 hours) to suspend it, report to the police, then reissue at the ward office.
Residence card	Report to the police and get a report receipt. Then apply for a reissue at immigration within 14 days of noticing it's lost.
Passport	Report to the police, then contact your embassy.

At the koban

Japanese	Meaning
落とし物をしました。	I've lost something.
財布 / 携帯 / かばん / 鍵	Wallet / phone / bag / keys
〜時ごろ、〜で落としました。	I lost it around ~ o'clock, at ~.
遺失届を出したいです。	I'd like to file a lost-property report.
届出の受理番号をください。	Please give me the report number.

Keep reading

Making phone calls in Japan when your Japanese isn't there yet

Avoid the call, or survive it: the phrases, the structure, and when to get help.

Japanese words on forms: a dictionary of the ones you'll actually meet

The words on ward office, bank and rental forms, and what to write in each box.

Your first two weeks in Japan: the order that actually works

Address, ward office, phone, bank: the order that breaks the chicken-and-egg loop.

Sources

Facts checked against these official sources. Rules change and differ by city: if something here looks out of date, tell us at support@progaijin.com.

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