Lost Your Passport in Japan? Follow These Steps to Get Home Safely
Losing your passport abroad can feel terrifying — especially in a country where everything is unfamiliar.
But don’t worry. Japan has one of the most organized and supportive systems in the world for handling lost passports.
If you follow the right steps, you can still get home safely and without panic.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know — from filing a police report to getting a temporary travel document from your embassy.
Step 1: Report the Loss to the Police — Get a Lost Property Certificate
The very first thing to do is file a Lost Property Report at the nearest police station or koban (police box).
This step is essential because you’ll need the Lost Property Report Certificate for your embassy to issue a new passport or temporary travel document.
It also increases your chances of recovery — Japan’s police manage lost items nationwide.
Tip: You can report the loss at a koban, but the certificate must usually be collected later at the main police station in charge of the area.
Step 2: Contact Your Embassy or Consulate Immediately
Next, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan.
They will guide you through the passport reissue or emergency travel process.
Before visiting, check:
- 📅 Business hours and appointment requirements
- 🚫 Closed days (weekends, holidays)
- ⏰ Processing times, which vary by nationality
You can find embassy contact details easily on your country’s official website or via Google Maps (“Embassy of [Your Country] Tokyo”).
Step 3: Choose the Right Option — New Passport or Temporary Travel Document
Depending on your schedule, you have two options:
🛂 Passport Reissue
- Processing: 1–2 weeks
- Best for: travelers who can wait before flying home
🛫 Temporary Travel Document
- Processing: same day to 2 days
- Best for: urgent travelers who need to return home soon
- Validity: usually around one week
- You must leave Japan before it expires
Tip: Bring your flight confirmation — many embassies require it before issuing an emergency travel document.
Step 4: When Does Your Lost Passport Become Invalid?
Your lost passport remains technically valid after you report it to the police.
It only becomes invalid once your embassy officially cancels it when issuing a replacement or emergency document.
If you later find it, you cannot use it anymore — it must be handed back to your embassy.
Step 5: Required Documents and Fees
Commonly Required Documents
- 🧾 Lost Property Report Certificate
- 🪪 Valid photo ID (residence card, driver’s license)
- 📸 Passport-sized photo (check embassy specs)
- ✈️ Flight reservation confirmation
- 🌍 Proof of nationality (birth certificate, national ID, family register)
Fees
Fees differ by country and by application type.
Always check your embassy’s official fee list before visiting.
Step 6: After Returning Home
If you traveled home with a temporary travel document, apply for a new passport in your home country immediately.
It’s required for any future travel abroad.
Step 7: Need Help Locating or Retrieving Your Passport?
If your passport may have been left at a hotel, airport, or train
or you’ve already returned home and need help contacting Japanese facilities,
we can take care of the process for you.
We act locally on your behalf:
- Contacting police, airports, or hotels in Japanese
- Retrieving and verifying your passport in person
- Preparing international shipment
- Sending regular progress updates in English
Summary
- 👮 File a Lost Property Report at the nearest police station or koban
- 🏛️ Contact your embassy or consulate for next steps
- ✈️ Apply for a new passport or temporary travel document
- 📋 Prepare required documents and fees
- 🤝 Get help if you’re overseas or facing language barriers
Even if losing your passport feels overwhelming, Japan’s reliable system makes recovery and return possible.
Let Japan Lost and Found Service help you — safely, quickly, and stress-free.
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About the Author
Yusuke Baba — Founder, Japan Lost and Found Service
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.