About LostInJapan
LostInJapan (also written LostJP) is an independent, paid assistance service for travelers who have lost something in Japan. We are not the police, a railway company, an airline, an airport, an embassy or a government agency.
In short. We provide English-speaking assistance based in Tokyo: we contact Japanese organisations on your behalf, follow up on official lost-property channels, help with the Japanese paperwork, and arrange collection and shipping where permitted. Fees are fixed and published; recovery and delivery are not guaranteed.
What the paid service does
Every case is different, but the work usually falls into four parts:
- Enquiries in Japanese. We contact the police station, station lost-property office, transport operator or venue most likely to be holding the item, and follow up rather than making a single call.
- Paperwork and process guidance. We explain what documents and details are needed, and help prepare the Japanese-language information that offices ask for.
- Collection support. Where the holder permits release to an authorised person, we help with the required identification and authorisation documents.
- Shipping arrangements. If the item is recovered, we arrange international shipping where the carrier and destination rules allow it, and quote the actual cost before sending.
What it does not do
- We cannot guarantee that an item will be found, and we do not promise a particular recovery rate.
- We cannot issue a passport, travel document or visa, and we cannot attend an embassy appointment for you. Eligibility, fees and processing times are set by the issuing authority.
- We cannot override a holder's storage deadline or release conditions, and we cannot compel any organisation to hand over property.
- We cannot ship every item to every country. Lithium batteries, cash and other restricted goods are subject to carrier and customs rules.
- We are not a law-enforcement body and cannot file a criminal complaint on your behalf.
Fees and how they work
| Plan | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | US$35 upfront + US$15 if found | The US$35 is payable whether or not the item is found. The US$15 is charged only if it is found. |
| Emergency | US$150 priority assistance fee | Priority handling for passports, phones and flight-critical items. Embassy or consulate fees are separate and set by the issuing authority. |
| Shipping | Actual cost, quoted separately | Depends on destination, carrier and item. Confirmed before dispatch. |
Payments are processed by Stripe. Cancellation and refund terms are set out in the legal notice.
Who operates the service
| Operator | Yusuke Yokouchi |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-4 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0044, Japan |
| Telephone | 080-6934-9068 (from overseas: +81 80-6934-9068) |
| lucky777yamada@gmail.com | |
| Message us on WhatsApp |
Operator and contact details are also published in our legal notice.
How the guides are researched
The English guides are written and maintained by the LostInJapan editorial team in Tokyo. They are based on publicly available official information — police and government pages, railway and airport operator pages, and postal and embassy guidance — together with the practical experience of handling enquiries.
- Sources are linked. Each guide lists the official pages used for that topic in its "Official sources and checks" section.
- Checked dates are shown. The most recent review is stated on each guide, and the visible updated date matches the structured data.
- Corrections are welcome. If a procedure has changed or something is inaccurate, email lucky777yamada@gmail.com with the page and the detail. We correct the guide rather than leaving a known error in place.
- No invented expertise. We do not present named outside experts, awards or certifications that we do not hold.
Start with the free information
Many losses can be handled directly, at no cost, through the official channels. Before paying for assistance, it is worth reading the relevant guide — they explain who holds your item, what the police will ask for, and how long the holding period usually runs.
Browse all recovery guides — ten English guides grouped by item, place and process, each linking to its official sources.
Need help with the Japanese side?
If you are short on time, already abroad, or cannot make Japanese-language calls, we can take those enquiries on. Fees are published above and shipping is quoted separately.
See the serviceLostInJapan is an independent paid assistance service. We are not affiliated with the Japanese police, any railway or airline, any airport operator, any embassy or any government agency. Nothing on this page is legal, immigration or financial advice.