How to Get Your Lost Items in Japan's Hotels and Restaurants
Losing something important at the end of your trip or after a wonderful meal can be stressful. You might wonder, “Where should I contact first?” Don’t worry—Japan has a reliable Lost and Found system, and if you follow the right steps, there’s a good chance you can recover your lost item.
This guide explains how to find and retrieve your belongings from hotels, ryokan, restaurants, or even the police in Japan, including tips for those who have already returned home.
Step 1: Recovering Lost Items from Hotels or Ryokan
If you forgot something at a hotel or ryokan, the most important thing is to contact them as soon as possible after check-out.
🤔 Why hotels rarely contact guests about lost items
You might think, “Why don’t they just call me?” In most business hotels in Japan, staff rarely reach out to guests about lost property. This is mainly due to:
- Privacy protection
- Hotels strictly manage personal data such as guest names and contact details. Without the guest’s permission, contacting them could be seen as a privacy violation.
- No standard procedure
- Many hotels don’t have a policy in their manuals to notify guests about lost items. This avoids unnecessary disputes and keeps operations smooth.
- Efficiency
- Business hotels handle numerous lost items every day. Contacting each guest individually would overwhelm staff and affect essential duties like check-in and check-out.
In contrast, some ryokan do value close relationships with guests and may contact you if they find your belongings. Either way, you should be the one to call first for the fastest results.
✅ What to do
- Call the hotel or ryokan directly before returning to the property. Your item may have been moved to a storage room.
- Provide accurate details to help them find your lost item quickly:
- Date and time of check-out
- Room number
- Detailed description (e.g., “black down jacket, size M” or “silver earrings”)
Step 2: Finding Lost Items in Restaurants or Cafes
If you left something behind in a restaurant or cafe in Japan, contact them immediately.
✅ What to do
- Call the restaurant directly
- Check their opening hours on Google Maps or restaurant review sites (e.g. “tabelog”).
- Provide clear details:
- Date and time of visit
- Seat location (e.g., “window seat” or “counter seat”)
- Detailed description (e.g., “black down jacket, size M” or “silver earrings”)
In small, family-run restaurants and izakaya (Japanese pubs) in Japan, there may not be a formal Lost and Found process. If you don’t contact them quickly, your lost item might be thrown away or never handed over to the police. Calling as soon as possible greatly increases your chances of getting it back.
Step 3: If Your Lost Item Was Sent to the Police
If the hotel, ryokan, or restaurant can’t find your item—or if some time has passed—it may have been handed over to the local police station.
✅ Filing a Lost Property Report
- If you are in Japan
- Visit the nearest police station and file a “Lost Property Report” (ishitsubutsu todoke). You will receive a certificate.
- If you have already returned home
- Some prefectural police websites allow online lost property reporting. However, to actually retrieve your belongings, someone must go to the police station in person.
🪪 Required for collection
You will need an original photo ID such as a passport or residence card (copies are not accepted).
Summary and Our Support Service
In Japan, the key to finding your lost item is to act quickly, give accurate details, and understand that items are eventually transferred to the police Lost and Found system.
If you have already returned home or find it difficult to call a restaurant in Japan, we can help.
Our service can handle calls, complete police procedures, and arrange safe international shipping so you can recover your lost item without coming back to Japan.
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About the Author
Yusuke Baba | Japan Lost and Found Service Founder
I myself have had the experience of losing my MacBook while on my honeymoon, so I deeply understand the anxiety that comes with it. This experience gave me a strong desire to help those who are truly in trouble and facing language and cultural barriers, which is why I started this service.
I hope this guide can help ease your worries and provide a clear path to getting your lost item back. If you are struggling with a lost item, please feel free to contact us.