I Forgot One Sock! Dealing with Lost Items in Laundries
“Did I leave it in the dryer?”
You return to your hotel and realize you are missing a favorite t-shirt. You definitely left it in the dryer drum. Is it gone forever?
The “Forgotten Items” Basket
Go back to the shop immediately. Most Japanese coin laundries have a specific basket or shelf labeled “忘れ物” (Wasure-mono / Lost Items).
Japanese people are very honest. If the next user found your shirt, they likely folded it and placed it in that basket. It is rarely stolen.
If It’s Not There
Look for a phone number on the wall (usually labeled “Call Center” or “Management”). Many shops are unmanned, but they have a 24-hour support line. They might have collected it during cleaning.
Don’t give up hope—Japan is the best place in the world for finding lost items!
