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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/vantan_unterwegs on 2025-06-20 02:11:33+00:00.

Short version: wallet was stolen from capsule hotel and police and hotel don’t really do anything

I am now at the end of my working holiday in Japan (leaving July 1st) and therefore traveling the country. One week ago I stayed at a capsule hotel in Kyoto and my wallet was stolen from my capsule while I was sleeping. I definitely didn’t lose it outside or even in the hotel since I removed some receipts and tickets right before turning off the lights. The capsules in this hotel don’t close entirely and there’s always some room between curtain and floor. My wallet was right next to me between some clothes and smaller bags. When I woke up the next morning I quickly realized the wallet was missing but first searched for it everywhere and also asked the front staff. I then checked my Revolut app and saw that someone bought a gaming chair for 15.000¥ on a Japanese website and some Apple products (Apple Japan) for 220.000¥. Obviously I immediately reported it as credit card fraud and blocked the card. Unfortunately my wallet also contained a personalized Suica and a Pasmo with a total of 25.000¥ , my JP Post cash card and some cash.

I reported everything to the police and told them that it was someone from the hotel and it is likely that it was a woman since it was a woman only dormitory. And regarding the fact that the purchases were made on Japanese websites it was probably a Japanese.

The front staff was super unfriendly, didn’t really cooperate and even accused me of losing it somewhere outside and blaming them for it. I wanted them to check the cameras several times and they then told me “there was no suspicious activity”, that’s it.

The police only gave me the Juribango and the Kanribango and after going there several times this week they finally let me file in a “certificate of loss” and gave me some paper for my credit card company. But they don’t check the cameras or investigate any further. Even though I gave them all my data (credit card information, the websites…) and I have the feeling that they just don’t want to help me because I am a foreigner.

I also went to JR East to get my personalized Suica replaced but the thief spent all the money and they told me they can’t say me where the money was spent…

The bank is way more helpful and they said they would send me a letter to my former address that I can use to close my account and receive all my cash. Since I am leaving soon it’s going to be super close and I am really afraid of not getting this letter in time. I don’t live there anymore and I have to receive it in person. Is it true that they will leave a note in the mailbox saying that I can reschedule the delivery or even go to the post office and just pick it up in person?

Has anyone experience theft in Japan and dealt with all these procedures (Cash card, credit card and IC cards)?