Lost Your Passport in Japan? A Complete Guide to Procedures and Getting Back Home

2025/8/8 22:582025/8/9 18:15

Discovering that your passport is missing while traveling can be a terrifying experience. But don’t worry, if you follow the correct steps, you will be able to get back home safely.

This guide explains the proper procedures, necessary documents, and the process to return home after losing your passport in Japan.

1. First Steps After Losing Your Passport

The first thing you should do is file a lost property report at the nearest police station or Koban (police box).

Filing this report is essential because you will need a Lost Property Report Certificate for your embassy to reissue your passport. Also, by reporting it to the police, the chances of recovering your passport increase since they manage lost items nationwide.

💡

Note: While you can file the report at a Koban, the certificate may need to be picked up later at the main police station in charge of the area.

2. The Process for Reissuing Your Passport or Getting an Temporary Travel Document

📄 Step 1

File a lost property report and obtain the Lost Property Report Certificate. This document is necessary for embassy procedures.

📞 Step 2

Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan.

Check their website in advance for business hours and whether you need an appointment.

Be aware that embassies are often closed on weekends and holidays, and may have limited hours on weekdays. Plan accordingly.

🚀 Step 3

Choose the procedure that fits your situation:

Passport Reissuance (usually 1–2 weeks)

If you have enough time before your planned departure, apply for a new passport.

Temporary Travel Document (usually issued same day to within 2 days)

if your departure is soon and you can’t wait for a new passport, you can apply for this one-time-use travel document, valid only for returning home.
It is usually valid for about one week, during which you must leave Japan.

3. When and How Your Lost Passport Becomes Invalid

Your lost passport remains valid after filing the police report. It is only invalidated when your embassy officially cancels it during your passport reissue or emergency document application.

Please note that once invalidated, your lost passport cannot be used even if you later find it.

4. Required Documents and Fees

Lost Property Report Certificate (mandatory)

Passport-sized photo (requirements vary by country; check embassy guidelines)

Proof of identity (such as a driver’s license or residence card)

Flight reservation confirmation (required when applying for an emergency travel document)

Proof of nationality (e.g., family register for Japanese nationals, birth certificate or national ID for others)

Fees vary by country and application type. Always verify current fees on your embassy’s official website.

5. After You Return Home

If you return home with an temporary travel document, you will need to apply for a new passport in your home country. If you plan to travel abroad again, it’s best to complete this process promptly.

6. Summary

Losing your passport can be very stressful, but by following these steps you can return home safely.

👮 File a lost property report at the nearest police station or Koban.

📞 Contact your embassy or consulate and apply for passport reissuance or an emergency travel document.

We hope this guide helps ease your worries if you ever face this situation.

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.