I LOST MY PASMO? CAN I GET IT REISSUED? | HOW TO GET A REISSUED PASMO

Since I recently lost my train pass, I'd like to write about my experience getting it replaced! In this article, I'll talk about types of train passes and the process of getting a new one if you've lost or had yours stolen!

In Japan, about 70% of the railway network is owned by a company called Japan Railways. Although the name sounds like it's public, Japan Railways is actually a for-profit, private railway company. You've most likely heard people say, "Are you taking JR?" if you live in Japan. The reason people specify that is because there are several other dozen private railway companies as well, such as Tokyu, Tobu, and Seibu railways.

This distinction is important because there are two different railway passes (also known as IC cards) that you can buy, at least the Tokyo/Kanagawa area, which are Suica and PASMO. Suica passes are sold at JR railway stations, and PASMO passes are sold at the other private railway companies. Despite this difference, you can use Suica on non-JR lines, and you can use Pasmo on JR Lines. I live on a non-JR line, and therefore, I have a Pasmo. I haven't had any experience with Suica, so I'm sorry, I cannot answer any questions about them.

PASMO cards are initially 500yen or 5$, and you can receive this money back when you return the card. There are three main types of PASMO that I will briefly cover below:



無記名PASMO (Unregistered PASMO)

This type of PASMO is your run-of-the-mill train pass. To get this card, you pay the 500yen + the amount of money you would like to put on the card and then you're done! This type of PASMO cannot be reissued if lost! Although each PASMO has an ID #, I think the only way to get this kind of card back is if someone had turned it in and you happened to have kept the receipt or know the ID number on the back.

記名PASMO (Registered PASMO)

This type of PASMO requires you to have at least your name engraved on it. This does not cost anything extra. All that you need to do is register your details while buying the PASMO, such as your name, age, birth date. This kind of PASMO can be reissued with the proper matching identification, such as passport, residence card, driver's license, etc.. This card has your name displayed on the front of the card.

PASMO定期券 (Commuter PASMO)

This kind of PASMO can be registered or unregistered (I highly recommend registering it!). This is a commuter PASMO and these passes offer unlimited free rides between two stations, usually your home and work.  These passes can be bought in increments of 1, 3, or 6 months. Personally, I haven't noticed a significant discount, but since most jobs in Japan cover transportation, it's worth it! This pass has your name, age, validity dates, and covered train stations printed on the front of the card. [As seen above)

You can buy all three types of PASMO passes at non-JR railway ticket vending machines.


The kind of pass that I lost was a one month, registered, commuter pass that I had bought two days prior. I don't exactly know how I lost it, but I will cover the steps that I took to rectify the situation.

STEP 1: RETRACE

I first retraced my steps by from the station to my house. Most people in Japan won't bother forgotten things, and may even sit them to the side. Unfortunately, mine was nowhere to be found.

STEP 2: POLICE BOX/KOBAN

The next step I suggest is going to the police box to see if someone turned it in. I didn't go to the police box because there isn't one near my station or route to my home, so I didn't have the time to go and do it. However, there are police boxes near most major stations, so it might be worth a try! If you go this route, you may be asked to fill out a notification of lost item form, which then takes more time and will probably take several days for them to identify your lost item if it arrives.

STEP 3: TRAIN STATION ATTENDANT

I asked both attendants at the beginning and end station listed on my commuter pass. If you live at stations that aren't in touristy or popular spots, they may only speak Japanese. In that case you can say:

I seemed to have dropped my commuter pass, has anyone turned it in?
定期を落としたみたいんなんですが、届いていませんか？

I seemed to have lost my PASMO, has someone turned it in?
PASMOをなくしたみたいなんですが、届いていませんか？

You might also want to write down or give your name (exactly as written on the pass. If you did it in roman letters, give roman letters. If it was in katakana, then give katakana), phone number, and the two stations the pass covers if it is a commuter pass.

My name is written on the commuter pass/PASMO. My name is XX. 
定期/PASMOには私の名前が書いてあります。名前はXXです。

From station XX to station XX.
XX駅からXX駅まで


STEP 3: WAIT

If you lost the pass the same day you inquired about's whereabouts, you might want to wait a few days (if you can afford it), to see if it turns up. I would recommend doing this if your pass happens to be unregistered and has a significant amount of money stored on it. I do not recommend this method if you have your PASMO attached to a credit card or on auto-charge (If this is the case, call your credit card company immediately and get the PASMO cut off)! Once you've waited a few days, then I'd suggest asking the station attendants once more.

I was also given a lost and found number, so you may even be able to call and inquire about your card there.

STEP 4: APPLY FOR RE-ISSUANCE

If your pass is registered and has not turned up, or you can't afford to wait and see if it eventually turns up, I'd recommend getting the card reissued. I don't know why none of the attendance recommended that to me, so you might have to bring it up yourself. The Japanese term is: 紛失再発行手順.

You have to go to a commuter pass counter, and these offices only operate during business hours. Therefore, be careful!

Once you ask if you can get the card re-issued, they will hand you a form. The form is entirely in Japanese, and hopefully you have a much friendlier and helpful attendant than I did, but if not, try to remember the Kanji for name, dob, and phone number (this is the middle section of the form)

Name:　名前
DOB：生年月日/誕生日
Phone number:　電話番号


Fill in your information exactly as you had on your previous card. Don't add your middle name or suddenly switch to katakana. Once you've filled out this paper, the attendant will look at your ID. Please make sure you have some form of official ID!

After some clicking around on the computer, you will be given a paper that looks like a receipt. This is your "ticket" to come pick up your reissued card. Please keep this ticket as safe as possible.

Please note that they don't issue you your new card the same day. Therefore, you need to bring this ticket back to the commuter pass counter within 14 days. You can come back as early as the next day if business hours permit. If you don't pick up your new card within 14 days, you must start the process all over again.

Once you come back and give them the ticket, they will ask you to pay 1,020yen and you should be on your merry way with an identical card (with previous balance intact).

I think all together it took about an hour. I don't know if it is because I'm not Japanese or what, but they were just dragging their feet.  They didn't speak English at all, but they did try to translate to me through a tablet translator.

It took forever for him to look up to see if my card arrived. Then, it was I who had to ask to start the re-issue process, and then it took forever for him to enter the application information into the computer, and then I came back the next day and it took about 5 minutes for this guy to print out a new pass. Your pass will now have the Kanji for "Re-issued再/" printed on it.

That's about it, Guys! My advice is to try not to lose your card at all! However, accidents happen, so if you do, Good luck on getting it re-issued!