What to Do If You Lose Your Phone in Tokyo

Losing your phone while traveling in Tokyo can be stressful, especially when you rely on it for maps, train routes, hotel information, translation, and payments.

The good news is that lost property is frequently handed in to train stations, businesses, or the police in Japan. If your phone disappears, act quickly and check the places below.

1. Try to Locate Your Phone

Before assuming your phone is gone, use another device to locate it.

For an iPhone, use Find My. For an Android phone, use Google’s device-finding service.

If you are traveling with someone, use their phone or ask your hotel staff if you can use a computer or other device.

If your phone appears to be somewhere nearby, retrace your steps before moving on to the next step.

2. If You Lost It on a Train or at a Station

If you think you left your phone on a train, speak to station staff as soon as possible.

Try to provide as much information as you can:

Train line
Station where you boarded and exited
Approximate time
Train direction or destination
Car number, if you remember it
Phone model and color
Description of the phone case

For JR East trains and stations, lost items are registered in a lost-property system, and you can ask station staff or use JR East’s lost-and-found service.

JR East Lost & Found:
Check JR East lost property information

For Tokyo Metro, you can also ask station staff or contact the Tokyo Metro Lost & Found service.

Check Tokyo Metro lost property information

Do not worry if your phone is not found immediately. Items found on trains may need time to reach a station or lost-and-found office.

3. If You Lost It in a Taxi

If you still have your taxi receipt, check it first.

The receipt usually contains information that can help identify the taxi company. Contact the taxi company directly and explain when and where you took the taxi.

If your hotel arranged the taxi, ask the front desk for help. They may be able to identify the taxi company or contact them for you.

If you paid by credit card, your payment record may also help you identify the taxi operator.

4. If You Lost It in a Restaurant, Shop, or Hotel

Contact the business directly as soon as possible.

Restaurants, department stores, shopping centers, hotels, and other facilities often keep lost property temporarily before transferring it elsewhere.

If you are still nearby, return to the location and ask a staff member.

You can say:

Sumaho o nakushimashita.
(I lost my smartphone.)

Or simply show this Japanese sentence:

スマートフォンをなくしました。届いていますか？
“I lost my smartphone. Has one been handed in?”

5. Go to a Koban (Police Box)

If you cannot find your phone, visit the nearest koban, or police box.

Koban are located throughout Tokyo, particularly near train stations and busy areas.

Tell the police where and approximately when you lost your phone. You can file a Lost Property Report with the police.

Provide as many details as possible, including:

Phone brand and model
Color
Phone case
SIM information, if available
Approximate location and time it was lost

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police recommends contacting your mobile carrier as well as filing a lost-property report when a mobile phone is missing.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Lost and Found Information

6. Protect Your Phone and Personal Information

If you cannot recover your phone quickly, take steps to protect your information.

Use Apple’s Find My or Google’s device-finding service to lock the phone remotely if possible.

You should also contact your mobile carrier, particularly if your phone contains a physical SIM card or eSIM that could potentially be misused.

If your phone contains mobile payment apps, banking apps, credit card information, or other sensitive accounts, consider securing those accounts as well.

Avoid remotely erasing your phone immediately unless necessary. Once a device is erased, some tracking functions may become limited or unavailable depending on the device and settings.

7. What If Your Phone Is Found After You Leave Japan?

Don’t give up just because you’ve already returned home.

If your phone is eventually transferred to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, there are procedures for recovering lost property even if you have already left Japan.

In some cases, after identity and ownership have been verified, lost property can be shipped to an address in Japan at your expense. Another person may also be able to collect an item on your behalf with the required documents.

Contact the police station or lost-and-found office holding your phone to find out what options are available.

What You May Need to Collect Your Phone

If your phone is found and transferred to the police, you will normally need identification when collecting it.

For a lost mobile phone, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police may also require information such as the SIM card number or serial number to confirm ownership.

Keep your phone’s IMEI or serial number somewhere separate from your phone before traveling. You can usually find this information in your device settings, account information, or original purchase records.

LOCAL TIP

Take a screenshot or write down your hotel’s name, address, and phone number and keep it somewhere other than your phone.

Your smartphone is incredibly useful in Tokyo, but it may contain your maps, hotel reservation, train information, translation apps, and payment details all at once. Having your hotel’s information available separately can make a stressful situation much easier.

Also, if you lose your phone on public transportation, contact the transportation company first rather than going straight to the police. Train stations and other facilities often keep found items temporarily before transferring them to the police.