What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in Tokyo

IMMEDIATE STEPS (First 24 Hours)

Step 1: File a Police Report (遺失届 Ishitsu Todoke)

Go to the nearest:

• Koban (交番) — small police box on street corners
• Police station (警察署 keisatsusho) — larger facility

What to say: “Passport o nakushimashita. Ishitsu todoke onegaishimasu.” (パスポートを無くしました。遺失届お願いします。)

Or show this on your phone:

“I lost my passport. I need to file a lost item report (遺失届).”

What happens:

1. Police will ask where/when you lost it
2. They’ll fill out a form (遺失届 ishitsu todoke)
3. You’ll receive a certificate of report (受理番号 juri bangō)
4. Takes 15-30 minutes

This certificate is required by your embassy. Don’t skip this step.

Major police stations in Tokyo:

• Shinjuku Police Station: 3-9-13 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku (新宿区歌舞伎町3-9-13)
• Shibuya Police Station: 1-18-9 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku (渋谷区神南1-18-9)
• Roppongi Koban: 6-1-8 Roppongi, Minato-ku (港区六本木6-1-8)

Police speak limited English, but they’re used to tourists. Bring a translator app or ask your hotel for help.

Step 2: Contact Your Embassy

Call immediately after filing the police report.

Embassy staff will tell you:

• What documents to bring
• Appointment availability
• Processing time
• Fees

Most embassies require appointments. Don’t just show up.

Embassy Contact Information

United States

U.S. Embassy Tokyo

• Address: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 (港区赤坂1-10-5)
• Phone: 03-3224-5000
• Emergency (24/7): 03-3224-5000
• Email: TokyoACS@state.gov
• Nearest Station: Tameike-Sanno Station (Exit 13)

Replacement passport fee: $165 (pay online via U.S. government payment site) Processing time: 7-10 business days Emergency passport: 1-2 business days (limited validity, 1 year max)

What to bring:

• Police report (遺失届)
• Passport photos (2, 2×2 inches, white background)
• Flight itinerary
• Copy of lost passport (if you have it)
• Government-issued ID (driver’s license, etc.)

United Kingdom

British Embassy Tokyo

• Address: 1 Ichiban-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8381 (千代田区一番町1)
• Phone: 03-5211-1100
• Emergency (24/7): +44 20 7008 5000 (London)
• Email: UKinJapan@fcdo.gov.uk
• Nearest Station: Hanzomon Station (Exit 5)

Replacement passport fee: £100 (approx ¥18,000) Processing time: Up to 6 weeks Emergency travel document: 1-2 business days (single-use, return to UK only)

What to bring:

• Police report
• Passport photos (2, 45×35mm)
• Flight booking
• Proof of British citizenship (if available)

Australia

Australian Embassy Tokyo

• Address: 2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8361 (港区三田2-1-14)
• Phone: 03-5232-4111
• Emergency (24/7): +61 2 6261 3305 (Canberra)
• Email: consular.tokyo@dfat.gov.au
• Nearest Station: Azabu-Juban Station (Exit 1)

Replacement passport fee: AUD $346 (approx ¥35,000) Processing time: 10 business days Emergency passport: 2 business days

What to bring:

• Police report
• Passport photos (2, 45×35mm)
• Travel itinerary
• Birth certificate or citizenship certificate (if available)

Canada

Canadian Embassy Tokyo

• Address: 7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8503 (港区赤坂7-3-38)
• Phone: 03-5412-6200
• Emergency (24/7): +1-613-996-8885 (Ottawa)
• Email: tokyo.consular@international.gc.ca
• Nearest Station: Aoyama-Itchome Station (Exit 4)

Replacement passport fee: CAD $190 (approx ¥20,000) Processing time: 10-20 business days Emergency travel document: 1-2 business days

What to bring:

• Police report
• Passport photos (2, 50×70mm)
• Proof of Canadian citizenship
• Flight details

China

Chinese Embassy Tokyo

• Address: 3-4-33 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046 (港区元麻布3-4-33)
• Phone: 03-3403-3388
• Consular Section: 03-3403-5633
• Nearest Station: Azabu-Juban Station (Exit 1)

Replacement passport fee: ¥2,500-¥5,000 (depending on processing speed) Processing time: 7-15 business days Travel permit (旅行证): 2-4 business days (temporary document)

What to bring:

• Police report
• Passport photos (3, 48×33mm, white background)
• Household registration (户口本) if available
• Flight booking

South Korea

Korean Embassy Tokyo

• Address: 1-2-5 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 (港区南麻布1-2-5)
• Phone: 03-3452-7611
• Consular Section: 03-3455-2601
• Nearest Station: Azabu-Juban Station (Exit 3)

Replacement passport fee: ¥3,500-¥5,000 Processing time: 7-10 business days Travel certificate: 1-2 business days

What to bring:

• Police report
• Passport photos (2, 35×45mm)
• Resident registration (if available)
• Flight itinerary

Step 3: Get Passport Photos

Where to get photos in Tokyo:

Photo Booths (証明写真機)

• Found in train stations, convenience stores, shopping centers
• Cost: ¥700-¥1,000 for 4-6 photos
• Select “passport” size option
• Takes 5 minutes

Major stations with photo booths:

• Tokyo Station (Yaesu side)
• Shinjuku Station (near ticket gates)
• Shibuya Station (Hachiko exit area)

Camera Shops

• Kitamura Camera (カメラのキタムラ) — multiple locations
• Bic Camera — Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Yurakucho
• Cost: ¥1,500-¥2,500
• Professional quality, ready in 10-15 minutes

Convenience Stores (Some Locations)

• FamilyMart — some have photo printing kiosks
• Upload photo from phone, print passport size
• Cost: ¥200-¥300

Photo requirements vary by country. Check your embassy website for exact size and background color.

Step 4: Gather Required Documents

Bring to your embassy appointment:

Essential (Required)

• Police report certificate (遺失届受理番号)
• Passport photos (2-3, correct size for your country)
• Flight booking or itinerary
• Payment (cash, credit card, or online payment — check embassy website)

Helpful (If You Have Them)

• Copy of lost passport (photo page)
• Driver’s license or other government ID
• Birth certificate
• Previous passport (if you have an old one)
• Visa copy (if you had a Japanese visa)

Don’t have any ID? Embassies can still help, but processing takes longer. Bring anyone who can verify your identity (friend, employer, hotel manager).

Timeline Expectations

Emergency Travel Document (Fast Option)

• Processing: 1-2 business days
• Validity: Single-use or limited (usually 1 trip home)
• Use case: You need to fly home immediately
• Limitation: Some countries won’t accept it for entry (check destination requirements)

Replacement Passport (Full Option)

• Processing: 7-20 business days (varies by country)
• Validity: Full validity (5-10 years)
• Use case: You’re staying in Japan or traveling onward
• Benefit: Normal passport, no restrictions

If your flight is in 2-3 days: Get an emergency travel document.

If your flight is in 1-2 weeks: You might have time for a replacement passport. Ask your embassy.

How to Fly Home Without a Passport

You cannot board an international flight without a valid travel document.

Options:

Option 1: Emergency Travel Document

• Issued by your embassy in 1-2 days
• Single-use document to return home
• Airlines accept it (confirm with your airline)
• You’ll need to apply for a new passport once home

Option 2: Replacement Passport

• Full passport issued by embassy
• Takes longer (7-20 days)
• Change your flight if needed

Contact your airline:

• Explain the situation
• Ask about flight change fees (often waived for lost passport)
• Confirm they accept emergency travel documents

Costs

Item	Cost
Police report	Free
Passport photos	¥700-¥2,500
U.S. replacement passport	$165 (¥24,000)
U.S. emergency passport	$165 (¥24,000)
UK replacement passport	£100 (¥18,000)
UK emergency travel document	£100 (¥18,000)
Australian replacement passport	AUD $346 (¥35,000)
Canadian replacement passport	CAD $190 (¥20,000)
Flight change fee	¥0-¥30,000 (varies)

Total estimated cost: ¥25,000-¥60,000 depending on nationality and situation.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
Embassy is closed	Weekend or holiday	Call emergency number (24/7) — they’ll tell you what to do
Can’t get to embassy	No money, lost wallet too	Contact your embassy by phone — they can arrange emergency assistance
No appointment available	Embassy is fully booked	Explain it’s an emergency — they often have emergency slots
Don’t have passport photos	No photo booth nearby	Some embassies have photo services on-site (call ahead)
Lost passport AND wallet	No money for fees	Contact embassy — they can arrange emergency loans for citizens
Flight is tomorrow	Not enough time for document	Contact airline to change flight, get emergency travel document ASAP
Don’t speak Japanese	Can’t file police report	Bring a translator app, or ask hotel staff to accompany you

Prevention Tips

Before you lose it:

• Take photos of your passport (photo page, visa page)
• Email yourself a copy
• Store in hotel safe when not needed
• Carry a copy when sightseeing (not the original)
• Use a neck pouch or hidden pocket in crowded areas

If you find it later: Once you report a passport lost, it’s permanently invalidated. Even if you find it, you can’t use it. You must get a new one.

FAQ

Q: Can I travel within Japan without a passport?
A: You need ID for hotels and some activities. Bring your driver’s license or a copy of your passport if you have it. Police report certificate can help explain the situation.

Q: Will I be deported if I lose my passport?
A: No. Japan understands this happens. As long as you follow the proper steps (police report + embassy), you’re fine.

Q: Can I get a new passport the same day?
A: No. Fastest option is an emergency travel document (1-2 business days). Same-day service doesn’t exist.

Q: What if I lost my passport AND my visa?
A: Your embassy will issue a new passport. You’ll need to contact Japanese immigration (入国管理局) to get your visa status verified. Your embassy can help with this.

Q: Do I need to cancel my old passport?
A: Your embassy does this automatically when you report it lost. The old passport is invalidated in their system.

Q: Can I use my driver’s license to fly home?
A: No. International flights require a passport or emergency travel document. Domestic ID doesn’t work.

Q: What if I’m traveling to another country after Japan?
A: Tell your embassy. Emergency travel documents are often single-use (return home only). You may need a full replacement passport.

Q: How long does the police report take?
A: 15-30 minutes at a koban or police station. Bring a translator app if you don’t speak Japanese.

Last verified: February 2026