Lost Items on the Shinkansen

I left my e-book on the Shinkansen during my travels in Japan this summer while using the Japan Rail Pass. After a wonderful trip, I was carrying a lot of souvenirs, which made my hands full, and I must have forgotten the e-book on the train. I suspect that when I tried to put it into my bag, it slipped and fell out. I remember placing it into my bag, so I assumed it had fallen somewhere under the seat of the Shinkansen, which I remembered being in the 1st car. With that memory, I figured there was a good chance I could find it. Here’s how the e-book made its way back to me.

Registering Through the Chat

First, I visited the lost item notification page. Once there, I started a chat with the Shiba Inu mascot.

However, I found out that I couldn’t use the lost item chat from the U.S. (since I was overseas), so I had to explain the process in text instead. Here’s how the process works:

Lost Item Chat Description

The Shiba Inu mascot will ask you a few questions. First, you’ll need to provide the location and date you lost the item. Since I remembered the exact spot where I lost it, I gave the train type, date, and seat number, along with detailed descriptions of the item, including the color. You can select from available options, but I recommend writing the specific color in the input field. Even if the category doesn’t match exactly, it’s not a problem, as there’s a section for you to explain in your own words.

After Completing the Chat Registration

Once you’ve completed the chat, you’ll receive a registration number via email. It may take a few days for them to search for your lost item, as they are careful, especially if it’s a high-value item, to ensure they match it correctly.

JR Tokyo Station Lost & Found Center

If your lost item is found, you will be notified that something similar to your description has been located. The item will be moved to the Lost & Found Center at Tokyo Station. However, the items are only kept for a limited period, so if you are traveling outside Tokyo, you may not be able to pick it up right away. In my case, I couldn’t make it to Tokyo Station in time before the storage period expired.

Visiting the Lost & Found Center at Iidabashi

When the holding period at Tokyo Station expires, the lost items are transferred to the Iidabashi Police Station’s Lost & Found Center. It’s quite easy to get there: I took the JR Yamanote Line and got off at Iidabashi Station. There are large signs directing you to the Lost & Found Center.

What to Do if You Forget Your ID

Since I live overseas, my passport serves as my ID. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring it with me. However, I was able to use my credit cards as ID. The key is to describe the lost item as specifically as possible. In my case, it was an English-language e-book, which made it easier to identify since there weren’t many similar examples. For items like wallets or valuables, it’s best to bring your ID and be prepared to explain the contents and condition of the lost item.

Summary

In this article, I explained the steps for dealing with lost items on the Shinkansen. If you can’t pick up your item at Tokyo Station, you can go to the Iidabashi Lost & Found Center. Don’t give up if you lose something—head to Iidabashi to pick it up!