What to do if you lose your passport in Japan: A step-by-step guide from reporting to reissuance and departure

Losing your passport while traveling abroad is a nerve-wracking experience. However, since Japan has a very well-established Korean embassy and consulate system with systematic administrative procedures, you can resolve the issue within 1–2 days if you calmly follow the manual. The moment you are certain your passport is lost, do not panic; instead, follow this chronological guide.

Key information in this guide:

• The first things to do within 2 hours of realizing your passport is missing

• A checklist for police reporting, identity verification, and photo preparation

• How to use entry records from 'Visit Japan Web' as of 2026

• Strategies to minimize costs when rebooking flights and changing departure schedules

What to do within 2 hours of losing your passport

1. Re-check your last known location: First, check with restaurants, shopping malls, hotel front desks, and train station Lost & Found centers. Japan is a country with a very high rate of recovered lost items. If you lost it on a JR train, notify the station staff immediately.

2. Report credit cards as lost: If you lost your cards or wallet along with your passport, immediately block international payments via your Korean card issuer's app.

3. Visit a police box (Koban): Find a nearby 'Koban' and report the loss. If you say, "Pasupōto o nakushimashita" (I lost my passport), they will guide you kindly. The 'Lost Property Report' or 'Report Number' you receive here is the core document for reissuing your passport.

Checklist for Police Reports, Identity Verification, and Photos

Before heading to the embassy, it is best to have the following items ready to save time.

• Police Report Number: Write down or take a photo of the document issued at the police station.

• 2 Passport Photos: There are 'ID Photo' booths at subway stations and near convenience stores throughout Japanese cities. Select the 'Passport' size.

• Identity Verification: You need your Resident Registration Card or Driver's License. If you lost your wallet as well, ask your family to send a photo of your ID via KakaoTalk or similar.

• Passport copy and digital backup: As of 2026, a photo of your passport saved on your smartphone or a screenshot of your entry record registered in 'Visit Japan Web' can drastically speed up the identity verification and reissuance process. Make sure to upload them to the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.).

Essential information for contacting the Embassy/Consulate

Check for the mission closest to your current location. (Appointments are not required, but verifying business hours is essential.)

• Tokyo: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan (located in Minato City)

• Osaka: Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka

• Fukuoka, Sapporo, Nagoya, etc.: Locations of the respective Consulate-General in each region

Upon your visit, you will apply for a 'Single-use Passport' or a 'Travel Certificate'. There is a fee for issuance, so please prepare some cash.

Strategies to minimize costs for flight rebooking and schedule changes

If the passport reissuance takes time and you cannot board your original flight, you must contact your airline immediately.

1. Prevent No-shows: You must contact the airline before the flight departure time to change your status to avoid no-show penalties.

2. Check Travel Insurance: If your travel insurance policy includes a 'passport loss' rider, you may be reimbursed for the reissuance fee and a portion of additional accommodation costs. Be sure to keep the receipts from the police station and the embassy for documentation.

3. Understand LCC characteristics: Low-cost carriers (LCCs) often have high change fees, so compare the cost of paying the fee versus booking a new one-way ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What should I do first if I lose my passport?
Stay calm, check your last known location (restaurants, hotels, etc.), and immediately go to the nearest police station (Koban) to report the loss. You cannot process embassy work without the 'Lost Property Report Number' from the police.

Q. Can I get an emergency passport on weekends or holidays?
General embassy services operate on weekdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On weekends or nights, the emergency duty contact is for extreme emergencies (such as threats to life or physical safety), so it is best to visit the mission early on a weekday morning for passport reissuance.

Conclusion: Summary card provided for storage with emergency contact guide

Losing a passport is an accident that can happen to anyone. Bookmark this page in advance or screenshot the emergency contact manual to ensure you don't panic. If you also learn essential Japanese phrases to communicate with local police, you will be able to get help much more smoothly. Check out the follow-up safety information in the guide list to ensure the rest of your trip remains safe and enjoyable. We hope you successfully finish immigration and get back on a pleasant journey!