Lost something in Osaka
Where you lost it decides who has it. On a train, a bus or in a shop, ask that operator first: the police say the same. In the street, go to the police.
On the Osaka Metro (subway and New Tram)
Ask by chat on the operator's lost-and-found page. It takes questions around the clock; the search and the answer happen between 8:00 and 20:00, and can take until the next day. Lost and found (Osaka Metro)
Or phone the Osaka Metro and City Bus customer centre and press 1 for lost items. It answers in Japanese, and in English, Chinese and Korean through an interpreter on the line.
050-3355-8208 8:00 to 20:00, every day
Lost Property Center
What is handed in at the stations goes to the Lost Property Center, in the Yotsubashi Line's Namba station, in the passage outside the south gates. Open 8:30 to 20:00, every day. It keeps things for about four days from the day after they are handed in; the operator says this varies with the day it arrives, and can change with the weather and the roads. Namba Station
Bring official ID showing your name and address; without it the item may not be handed back. Someone collecting for you needs a letter of authority and their own ID. Getting there is at your own cost.
Three lines run through onto other companies' tracks, so a find can turn up there too. Ask them as well: the Midosuji Line (Kita-Osaka Kyuko), the Sakaisuji Line (Hankyu) and the Chuo Line (Kintetsu).
On an Osaka City Bus, ask the bus office instead: finds on the buses are kept there. Osaka City Bus offices
The police
Report the loss in person at a police station or a police box (交番), and describe when and where you lost it and what it looks like. The form can also be printed from the police site and filled in beforehand.
What has been handed in to the police can be searched online by item, place and date. Osaka police lost property list
Collecting it
Collect it at the police station that holds it, and phone them first; they will tell you what to bring. Collection is 9:00 to 17:00 and phone enquiries 9:00 to 17:45, not on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays or 29 December to 3 January. Police stations: address, phone and exit
Someone else can collect it with a letter of authority. It can also be posted to you, cash on delivery, if you ask the police station first and send them a request with a copy of your ID.
The National Police Agency explains the whole procedure in English. National Police Agency
If it was stolen, or you are in danger, call 110. Emergency numbers
A lost or stolen passport: report it the same way, then contact your consulate. Consulates in Osaka
