Lost Wallet in Japan: A Step-by-Step Guide for Visitors

Experiencing a lost wallet in Japan can feel stressful, but there are clear steps you can follow to stay safe.

This guide will show you what to do and who to talk to if you have a lost wallet in Japan while traveling.

If you lose your wallet while visiting Japan, you might feel very worried or scared. But please try not to get too upset.

Take a deep breath and stay calm. When you panic, it can be hard to remember where you last had your wallet.

Let’s stay calm and look at what you should do step by step.

First, remember where you last used your wallet.

Did you pay at a shop, café, or restaurant? Or were you at a train station or bus stop?

Sometimes the person who finds a lost wallet brings it to the shop staff. If you go back soon, you might get your wallet back.

For example, I once left my wallet on the counter after paying. When I returned a few hours later and asked the staff, they had kept it safe and gave it back to me.

It is important to stay calm and think carefully about where you went and what you did. This helps you find your wallet more easily.

After you think about where you lost your wallet, go to the place if you can.

If you lost your wallet in a shop, try asking at the service counter if they have found any wallets.

When it comes to losing your wallet on a train or bus, visit the lost and found office at the station or the transportation company’s service counter. If you are unsure where to go, you can ask a station worker by saying, “I lost something.” They will guide you to the right place.

If you cannot speak Japanese well, do not worry. You can use a smartphone app to help you talk.

My husband once lost his wallet while on a bus. He didn’t know it fell from his bag until he got off. When he called the bus company, they told him the wallet was at their lost and found office. He was able to get it back safely.

If you cannot find your wallet at the places you visited, or if you think you lost it somewhere on the street or outside, the next important step is to go to the nearest police box.

A police box, or Koban in Japanese, is a small police office you can find in many neighborhoods and near train stations in Japan. It usually looks like a small building or kiosk with police officers working inside.

Think of a Koban as a safe place where police officers help people with problems like lost items, accidents, or questions about directions.

At the Koban, you can report your lost wallet by filling out a form called a lost property report. This report is very important to help find your wallet.

If you lost your wallet, it is best to go to the police box (called Koban in Japanese) near where you think you lost it.

In Japan, each Koban has a small area it is responsible for. Usually, lost items found nearby are brought to the closest Koban.

The police officers there know the area well and can help faster if you go to the nearest one.

But if you don’t know which Koban is closest, you can go to any Koban near where you are staying or visiting. The police at any Koban can take your lost item report and help you. Just tell them where you lost your wallet.

If you do not know where the nearest police box (Koban) is, ask the staff at your hotel. Explain your situation to them, and they will help you find the closest Koban. They will do their best to support you.

In the next chapter, we will explain what information you need to give the police when you visit a Koban.

When you go to the police box (Koban) to report your lost wallet, the police will ask you some questions. It is important to answer them clearly to help make the report.

Here are the main things you will tell them:

・When and where you lost your wallet
・What your wallet looks like (color, size, brand, or any marks)
・What was inside your wallet (how much money, what kind of cards like credit cards or ID)
・Your name and where you are staying in Japan

The police use this information to check if any lost items matching these details have been found and brought to the police. If someone finds a wallet like yours and gives it to the police, they will contact you.

Losing your wallet is stressful, and finding it is very important. But you also need to take other steps quickly to protect yourself and your belongings.

This section will explain what to do after you have tried to find your wallet.

As soon as you realize your wallet is lost, call your bank and credit card companies.

Tell them your cards are lost or stolen. They can stop your cards so no one else can use your money. This helps protect you from losing more money.

Also, ask them about how to get new cards. Many banks can send you a new card in a few days or weeks.

If your passport is lost or stolen, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan right away.

They will help you apply for a new passport or an emergency travel certificate. This lets you continue your trip or return to your country safely.

Your embassy can also give you advice about what to do next and help you in emergencies.

Keep the embassy’s phone number and address handy during your trip, so you can contact them quickly if needed.

When you travel, there are many ways to protect your wallet and make sure you do not lose it. One useful tool is a smart tag, like an AirTag, which you can put inside your wallet. This way, you can get an alert and find your wallet before it gets lost.

It is also very important not to keep all your important things in one place. For example, don’t put your passport, wallet, and coins in the same bag. Spread them out in different bags or pockets. This helps so that if you lose one thing or one bag, you still have other important things with you.

Making copies of important cards, such as your passport and credit cards, is a good idea. Keep these copies in a different place from your wallet. If your wallet is stolen or lost, having copies helps you to get replacements faster.

Using a wallet with a chain that you can attach to your belt or pants helps prevent theft and forgetting your wallet. Because of this, wallet chains are a simple and useful way to keep your wallet safe.

Carrying only a small amount of cash is smart. The less cash you have, the less you lose if your wallet is taken or lost. Use credit cards or mobile payments when possible.

Always check your bag’s zipper or pocket to see if it is closed. Many people lose things because they forget to close their bag or pocket. Making it a habit to check and close your bag can keep your wallet safe.

Finally, keep a spare credit card or some emergency money in a safe place separate from your wallet. This way, if something happens to your wallet, you still have access to money you need.

Losing your wallet in a foreign country is very hard. But many travelers find Japan’s system for lost and found items very helpful.

I have lost my wallet in Japan before, but it was found and given back to me. The money inside was still there, just like I left it. I also found someone else’s wallet and took it to the police box.

According to the 2024 police statistics in Tokyo, about 60 to 70 out of every 100 lost items that are turned in to the police are returned to their owners.

Wallets are among the items with a higher return rate because many people hand them in when they find them. Sometimes, even the money inside is returned, which is quite surprising.

When a wallet is found and handed over to the police, it usually takes about 2 to 5 days for the owner to be contacted or to claim it. However, this can take longer depending on the situation.

If you do not know where you lost it, finding your wallet might take a week or more. On the other hand, if it was lost at a store or station, there is a chance it can be found much sooner, sometimes even on the same day.

When you lose your wallet in Japan, staying calm and acting quickly will help you a lot. Don’t forget that asking for help is a good and important step. Keep trying to remember where you lost your wallet, and never give up.