What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in Japan

Losing your passport while traveling in Japan can be stressful, but there is a clear process to follow.

You will generally need to report the loss to the police and contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan to arrange a replacement passport or emergency travel document.

Here’s what to do if your passport is lost or stolen during your trip.

Step 1: Check Where You Last Had Your Passport

Before reporting it lost, quickly check the places where you may have left it.

Contact your:

・Hotel
・Restaurant or café
・Train station
・Taxi company
・Airport
・Shop or department store

Japan has an extensive lost-and-found system, and lost belongings are frequently handed to station staff, businesses, or the police.

If you think you lost your passport on a train, contact the railway company as soon as possible.

Step 2: Report the Lost Passport to the Police

If you cannot find your passport, visit a nearby police station or koban (police box) and explain that it has been lost or stolen.

The police can provide documentation confirming that you reported the loss.

Keep this document safe, as your embassy or consulate may require it when issuing a replacement passport or emergency travel document.

If your passport was stolen along with other belongings, tell the police exactly what is missing.

Step 3: Contact Your Embassy or Consulate

Next, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Tokyo.

Procedures vary by country, but you may be able to apply for:

・A replacement passport
・An emergency passport
・An emergency travel document

The embassy will tell you which option is appropriate for your situation. If you are leaving Japan soon, make sure they know your departure date.

Find your embassy in Tokyo: Embassy Contact Information in Tokyo

What Documents Might You Need?

Requirements vary depending on your nationality, but it can be helpful to have:

・A copy or photo of your lost passport
・Another form of identification
・Passport photos
・Your police report
・Your flight itinerary
・Proof of citizenship
・Payment for replacement document fees

Contact your embassy before visiting so you know exactly what to bring.

What If You Don’t Have a Copy of Your Passport?

Don’t panic if you don’t have one.

Your embassy or consulate can explain what alternative documents may be accepted to confirm your identity and nationality.

However, keeping a photo or digital copy of your passport can make the process easier.

Before traveling, save a copy somewhere you can access even if your phone is lost — for example, in secure cloud storage or email.

What If Your Passport Was Stolen?

Report the theft to the police as soon as possible.

If your wallet, credit cards, or phone were stolen at the same time, contact your bank and mobile provider as necessary.

Travel insurance may also cover certain costs related to stolen travel documents, so keep copies of police reports, receipts, and any replacement-document fees.

What Happens to Your Japanese Entry Information?

Replacing your passport does not automatically recreate all of the immigration information associated with the passport you used to enter Japan.

Depending on your circumstances and the type of replacement document issued, you may need to contact or visit Japanese immigration authorities before departure.

Your embassy or consulate can advise you on the appropriate next step, and you can confirm current procedures with Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.

Do not wait until you are at the airport to deal with this if you have already received a replacement passport.

Can You Still Leave Japan?

Yes, but you will need a valid travel document accepted for your departure and onward journey.

Depending on your nationality and circumstances, this may be a replacement passport or an emergency travel document.

If you have a connecting flight through another country, check whether your emergency document is accepted for transit there as well.

What If Your Flight Is Tomorrow?

Tell your embassy or consulate immediately that you have an upcoming flight.

Emergency documents may sometimes be issued more quickly than standard passports, but processing times vary and same-day service should never be assumed.

You may need to change your flight if the required documents cannot be issued in time.

What If You Lose Your Passport Outside Tokyo?

You do not necessarily need to return to Tokyo immediately.

Your country may have a consulate or consulate-general in another Japanese city.

Contact your embassy or your government’s official overseas assistance service to find the nearest location that can help you.

How to Make This Easier Before Your Trip

Before coming to Japan:

・Take a photo or scan of your passport information page.
・Keep the copy separate from your passport.
・Save your embassy or consulate contact information.
・Keep your travel insurance information accessible.
・Make sure you can access important documents even if your phone is lost.

These simple preparations can save a lot of time if something goes wrong.

LOCAL TIP

If you think you simply left your passport somewhere rather than having it stolen, contact the location first before assuming it is gone for good.

Lost property is commonly handed in to station staff, shops, hotels, and police in Japan.

If you do need a replacement passport, contact your embassy as early in the day as possible and check its opening hours before traveling there. Embassies and consulates may be closed on weekends and on both Japanese and their own national holidays.

Most importantly, once you receive a replacement travel document, confirm whether you need to complete any additional immigration procedures before heading to the airport.