Lost something in Japan? How to get it back from trains, taxis and the police
Short answer: things left on Japanese trains and in taxis are very often handed in, but you have to find out who has them. Call the operator of the place where you lost it first — the railway company, the taxi company, the shop. Items then pass to the police, who keep lost property for three months. In Tokyo the police Lost Property Center is on 0570-550-142. These lines work mainly in Japanese. YOROZU makes the calls, identifies your item and arranges delivery to your hotel, for ¥3,000 per case plus ¥2,000 only if it is recovered.
Who to call first
| Where you lost it | Call first |
|---|---|
| JR East train or station | JR East lost property, 050-2016-1601 |
| Tokyo Metro | Tokyo Metro lost and found, 0570-033-555 |
| Toei Subway | Toei lost and found, 03-3816-5700 |
| Taxi | The taxi company — its name and number are on the receipt |
| Shop, restaurant, hotel | The place itself |
| Street, park, unknown | The nearest police box (kōban), or in Tokyo the Lost Property Center, 0570-550-142 |
The three-month rule
Railway companies hold items for a short time and then hand them to the police, so an item can move while you are looking for it. Call as soon as you notice.
What you will be asked
- When and where — the train line, direction, station, time, and the car number if you know it
- What it is — colour, brand, size, case or cover
- What is inside — for a wallet or bag, the contents; for a phone, the lock screen
- How to reach you
Staff need these details to match your item to their records, and the conversation is in Japanese.
Getting it back
You can usually collect the item in person with ID. If you have moved on, many holders can send it by courier at your cost, but each company and police station has its own rules. If you have already left Japan, ask about overseas shipping — it is not always possible.
If you lost your passport, report it to the police and contact your embassy or consulate; you need a police report to replace it.
Want us to make the calls?
Tell us what you lost, where and when. A person in Tokyo calls the railway, taxi company or police in Japanese and arranges delivery to your hotel.
Ask us — free to ask¥3,000 per case · +¥2,000 only if recovered · Replies 9:00–18:00 Japan time; outside those hours replies may take longer
Frequently asked
How long does the police keep lost property in Japan?
Three months from the day the police receive it, under the Lost Property Act. After that, items generally go to the finder or are disposed of (Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department).
I left my phone on a train in Japan. What do I do?
Contact the railway company that runs the line straight away: JR East on 050-2016-1601, Tokyo Metro on 0570-033-555, Toei Subway on 03-3816-5700. Give the time, the line, the direction and the car if you know it. Items are later handed to the police, so it pays to move quickly.
Do the lost property lines speak English?
English support is limited and cannot be relied on. The calls usually happen in Japanese, including the questions about how to identify the item.
Can a lost item be sent to me if I have already left Japan?
Sometimes. It depends on the railway company or the police station holding it; when it is possible, you usually pay the shipping. Ask before you leave if you can.
How much does YOROZU charge to find a lost item?
¥3,000 per case to make the calls, identify the item and arrange delivery to your hotel, plus ¥2,000 only if the item is actually recovered.