I only lost it in one place, like a café. Do I need Handle?

No. If there's only one place to call, that's an Ask ($9): we call and ask whether it's been found. If it has, we can arrange shipping as a Book.

It's been found already, can you just ship it?

Yes, that's a Book request ($17). Send us the reference number from the lost-property office and where you'd like it sent.

How long do lost-property offices keep items?

It depends on who's holding it, and items move from stations and taxi companies to the police over time. We'll find out where yours is right now.

Lost something in Japan? We'll track it down.

Japan is famous for returning lost items, but lost-property lines mostly work in Japanese. Tell us what you lost, where and when. We call the railway, taxi company, venue or police lost-property centre, identify your item and arrange for it to be sent to your hotel or home. Handle plan $29, full refund if it isn't found within 7 days.

Handle · $29No result? Full refund.

Chat on WhatsApp

No WhatsApp? Email hello@calljapan.jp

How it works for lost property

1
Tell us what you lost, where and when, with as much detail as you can, plus a photo of the item if you have one.
2
We call the railway, taxi company, venue or police lost-property centre in Japanese, describe your item and follow up until it turns up.
3
Once it's found, we confirm it's yours and arrange collection or shipping to your hotel or home. You get updates on WhatsApp throughout.

What to send us

A description of the item: colour, brand, case, anything distinctive, and a photo if you have one
Where you lost it: train line, direction and station, taxi company, or shop name
The date and rough time
Train car number or a taxi receipt, if you have them
Where you'd like it sent (hotel, next hotel or home address)

Message template

Hi Call Japan! I lost something (HANDLE $29).

What I lost (+ photo or description):
Where (train line + direction, taxi, shop):
Date and rough time:
Train car number / taxi receipt (if any):
Where to send it:

Open in WhatsApp

What you get back

I left my black backpack on the Yamanote line yesterday around 6pm, going toward Shibuya. Laptop inside. Please help!

We'll start with JR East lost property now and keep you posted.

Found It was handed in at a station on the line. We've confirmed the laptop is inside. We're arranging shipping to your hotel, the courier fee is paid on delivery.

Example. Details are illustrative.

Which plan do I need?

HandleMost requests
$29per case
Needs several calls, callbacks or businesses
Search across railways, taxi companies and police, and get it sent to you.
Ask
$9per request
Just need to know something
One place only, like a café or museum: did they find it?
Book
$17per request
Needs a booking, a name or a Japanese phone number
The item's already been found, we arrange shipping to you.

Not sure? Ask us, it's free. We confirm the plan before you pay. Compare all plans

Good to know

Act fast

Items are usually kept at the station, taxi company or venue for a short time before being passed to the police lost-property centre. Starting the search quickly makes it much easier to track down, message us as soon as you notice.

Details that help

For trains: the line, direction, rough time and car number if you remember it. For taxis: the receipt shows the company name and often the car number. For anything: a clear description and a photo. The more detail, the faster the match.

Valuables and the police

For wallets, passports, phones and other valuables, you may also need to report the loss at a police box (koban). A report also helps with insurance claims. We can tell you where the nearest one is and what to say.

Already left Japan?

We can still help. Many lost-property offices can send found items overseas, though it may need extra calls and forms. Shipping fees are paid separately.

What we can't do

We can't guarantee an item will be found, if it isn't within 7 days, you get a full refund.
We can't collect items in person or sign for them on your behalf.
Shipping and courier fees are paid separately.
For a lost passport, you'll also need to contact your embassy, we can't replace documents.

Questions

Handle · $29
Lost something on a train or subway
We call the railway lost-property offices, identify your item and get it back to you.
Request this Learn moreabout Lost something on a train or subway
Handle · $29
Left something in a taxi
We find the taxi company and arrange the return.
Request this Learn moreabout Left something in a taxi
Ask · $9
Ask one place if they found your item
A restaurant, shop, hotel or venue.
Request this Learn moreabout Ask one place if they found your item
Book · $17
Get a found item shipped to your hotel or home
Once it's found, we arrange delivery so you don't have to go back.
Request this Learn moreabout Get a found item shipped to your hotel or home

No result? Full refund.

Ready? Send us your lost property request.

Message us in English on WhatsApp. We confirm the plan before you pay, and if there's no result, you get a full refund.