TOKYO TRAIN LOST AND FOUND
Tokyo train lost and found: Tokyo Metro, JR East, and connecting lines
What to do after losing an item on a Tokyo train or station, with a practical route for Tokyo Metro, JR East, and through-service journeys.
Last verified: August 2026
Short answer
The fastest route depends on the operator and how long ago you lost the item. Tokyo Metro directs same-day reports to the nearest station office, while later reports move through its Iidabashi Lost and Found Center or Customer Relations Center. JR East uses its own lost-and-found route, so identify the operator before contacting anyone.
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We can review the likely facility, contact up to five selected places in Japanese, and keep you updated. The start fee is $19.
Start a $19 requestWhat to do
- 1
Reconstruct the exact journey
Write down the date, line, direction, boarding and exit stations, transfer points, approximate time, car number, seat area, and whether the train continued onto another company's line.
- 2
Contact the operator that held the train
For Tokyo Metro, contact the nearest station office on the day of loss. From the next day, use the Customer Relations Center or the Iidabashi Lost and Found Center. For JR East, use its official lost-and-found chat or Infoline.
- 3
Expect a handoff after several days
Tokyo Metro says items may move to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Lost and Found Center after the railway holding period. Through-service trains may require inquiries to more than one railway company.
- 4
Prepare collection documents
Keep your passport or other accepted identification ready. A representative may need a proxy letter and identification for both the owner and the representative.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Tokyo Metro keep a lost item?
On the day of loss, start with the station office. From the next day, Tokyo Metro uses its Customer Relations Center and the Lost and Found Center at Iidabashi; items may later be transferred to the police.
What if I used a through-service train?
Contact the railway operator that ran the relevant segment and the connecting operator if necessary. The item may have been moved to a destination-side storage location.
Can someone else collect the item for me?
Possibly, but the operator decides. Tokyo Metro lists a proxy letter and identification requirements for third-party collection.
Official sources
Rules can change. Confirm the latest requirements with the holder and carrier.
Related recovery guides
Want us to contact the facility?
We can contact up to five selected facilities in Japanese. The start fee is $19; a size-based success fee is due only after a matched item reaches us.
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