How I Found My Lost Items in Japan

Introduction

This weekend was quite eventful and very unforgettable experience as we had our second snowboarding experience in Niigata just yesterday. I really enjoyed my whole day of snowboarding activities, and it was supposed to end in a good note when something unexpected happened. Let me tell you the story of how I accidentally lost two of my gadgets in Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort and how I ended up in Setagaya.

^{I ended up in Setagaya to retrieve my lost camera}

The Happening

It was four-thirty in the afternoon when we had our last descent on the slopes of Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort. We had an agreement to return our rentals at exactly 5pm yet I decided to go for one more slide as I was confident that I can arrive there on time. I did not know that that one selfish thing would end up causing a lot of inconveniences to many people.

After my satisfying last slide, I checked the time on my watch and was glad that I still had the ample time to return my rentals. I waited for the two other friends of mine and when they arrived, I jokingly said that we should go back at the top one last time. While all of us were chuckling, I reached into one of my pockets to grab my phone, but it was gone.

Both of them got worried while the fool me didn't know what to do. Good thing was that my friend remembered the Apple's Find My feature and offered his phone so I could login on the web version of iCloud. Entering my login credentials, I was a little bit worried because I may have turned off the feature off, but I was relieved to know that it wasn't the case. Also, I know that I am in Japan and I am very hopeful that it will be returned to me but I just don't know how.

^{Two of my items went out of my pocket}

When logged in, I clicked the ring button to let someone near my phone notice it. Next, I clicked the lost button without knowing its purpose and a popup modal was prompted. It says to input a phone number for anyone to call if my phone is found so I let my friend enter his phone number.

I felt a lot of emotions there, but I bottled it up. I told my friend to let all of my other friends, who were waiting, know the situation. Then, in a few minutes, someone called on his phone number. It was a voice of a young man who picked up my phone. I felt another relief as I know that my phone will be returned to me. With broken Japanese, I was able to communicate on where we should meet.

Originally, I suggested that he will wait at the top of the slope, and I will be the one to retrieve it, but it was more favorable the other way around. So, we waited for him at the bottom and after five minutes, finally it was handed to me. I bowed many times to show my appreciation. I could have dropped down on my knees but didn't do so as to not bother and embarrass him anymore.

While carrying the snowboard, I ran at full speed. When I arrived there, all of the rentals were laid out on the floor. I fully well know the fact that all of the rentals will only be returned when all of it are present. With that thought, I hastily removed the boots and the wear in order for everything to be complete. The only thing I didn't know at that time was that there's a penalty for returning it late. With full guilt, I offered to pay the majority of the amount.

^{Near the Senkyo Park of Setagaya}

Maybe now you're wondering why I got in Setagaya. Well, let's continue the story as there's more to it. After changing my clothes, I checked all of my belongings, and I noticed that my Insta360 GO camera was missing. Good thing was that there's also a Find My feature on it. After opening the app, its location was still on the ski grounds.

Deep inside, I was ready to run and find for it. I returned to my senses and instantly crossed out the idea as we have a train to catch up. Also, I didn't want to bother more people. Looking it up online while waiting for the train to come, I was discouraged by the thought of buying it. It was more expensive than I thought so I just convinced myself to just move on.

^{One of the 7-elevens in Setagaya}

Next day, I woke up early in the morning. It was around seven-thirty in the morning when I checked the Find My app. Half awake, I noticed that the location of my device was updated which I instantly got up from my bed and changed my clothes. Now fully awake, I immediately went outside and checked the location of my device again. It was in Setagaya, so I navigated my way there using Google Maps.

When I was near the destination, I looked for some place to buy some offerings, but it was Sunday plus early in the morning so no luck at all on my side. Without any gifts, I decided to head at the current location of my device and just express my utmost sincerity and deepest appreciation. From there, I observed that there were two different residents in that one building. I went up the stairs and rang the voice-only intercom.

I lady answered the intercom, and I answered back with a broken Japanese saying "Good morning. This may be a surprise for you, but did you happen to pick up a camera?". The lady was confused and repeated the word "camera" with a question mark. Knowing how confused she was, I immediately added more context like "I checked my phone, and it says that my camera is in this area." She was more confused, and it got silent for a full minute. Then a man's voice was heard from the intercom. Maybe I scared the family, but I stood my ground hoping that they got my camera. I answered the man saying, "Did you perhaps went to snowboarding yesterday?". The man replied with a serious voice and said, "I didn't and there's no camera found here in my household.". After getting that answer, I apologized to him and excused myself.

^{Some plants near the location of my lost device}

Feeling a little bit down while going down the stairs, I looked around the area and thought to myself "If this is the case, am I supposed to ring each of these houses?". On the ground floor, there's a door with a company name on it. I rang the intercom, and it was silent. I waited for a few seconds and rang the second one. Still no response. From that time, my mind was racing and thought of multiple scenarios. When I pulled back from my senses, I stared at the next house and started approaching my way there.

Anxious and nervous, I rang the intercom with a camera on it. Just a few seconds passed, another lady answered me. I repeated the question from the first house I visited. Maybe due to my broken Japanese, the lady answered, "If it is a post-delivery, just please leave it at the front door.". I replied that I am not a delivery man and this time I gave a correct context for her. I said, "Did you perhaps went to snowboarding yesterday?". My nervousness was lifted when I heard her surprised voice. I didn't quite understand her, but I heard some words "Niigata". By context clues, I answered "Yes, I went to Joetsu.".

After our conversation and exchanging some confused and surprised interjections, I patiently waited outside as per instruction. Then, I heard some noises near the front door. When it opened, a man that looked like who just got woken up greeted me and handed me the camera. I expressed my appreciation by deeply bowing multiple times and also keep apologizing to him. He also apologized as I was the one who came to pick it up. I barely understood the man, but I feel like he wanted to return it but has no idea how to. He also added that he understands my scenario as he also lost some items from the past snowboarding trips. In order to not waste his time any longer, I bid my goodbye and said my thanks one last time. I also bowed at the intercom as I noticed that it was still on and proceeded to leave the vicinity.

^{My camera is back <3}

Afterword

After writing this story, I am so embarrassed of my actions. One thing led to another because of my carelessness and selfishness. Next time, I must follow on the agreed time and not be caught by greediness. If I wanted to do more things, I have my own time to waste. I should be careful with my actions as the time I took from others will no longer be returned back again. To end it in a positive note, I am thankful to everyone who understand my place and I appreciate all of them for not blaming me at all. And to the two persons who found my items, may you filled with luck and many good things will happen to the both of you. Again, to all people involved, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you have reached this part, thank you so much. My next blog will either be about the continuation of my hiking in Mount Hodo or the snowboarding trip in Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort. I can't wait to show you all of the photos that I took. That's it, see you next time~!