Someone Stole my Bike in Japan

I know this is news to everyone but yes. Even a safe place like Japan has its flaws. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen everyday though so I guess luck isn’t on my side when this thing happened to me. Anyways, let me tell you my story.

Not my bike but this is where I parked it. They should be reliable for my bike! ... Kalma. 

I usually ride my bike on my way to the station/work. One night (night shift), I left my bike at this bike parking service (like I always do) and went to work (like I always do). When I return in the morning, it’s gone!! I’ve heard stories where the culprit actually return the bike the other day to its rightful owner or just returning it where they got it but man, I’ve waited months and still nothing. I don’t know what to think anymore. Sometimes they say that the culprit probably missed the last train and can’t go home so they find an unlocked bike, use it, and return it the day after. Or maybe someone’s too drunk to walk or something. I don’t effin know. So yeah. I’ve actually looked for it in the neighborhood with no luck at all! Coz you know, I realize that if it were me, I probably wouldn’t go near the crime scene again in case the owner is looking for her/his thing and I would be caught with the lost item. Just saying. So yeah nothing.

Went to the police to report. It’s been two months already and no bike for Mikie. It’s pretty easy to report any stolen object in Japan. Will list down stuff that you might have to do. Might not be a step by step process but you’ll get the point. Also kind of personal. 

* Go to a Koban (local police station). This is usually a small box near any train stations or you know, just about anywhere and report that your ____ is missing. In my case, my bike. 

* The police asked for the bike’s proof of purchase. Well I’m guessing they don’t really expect you to know the registration number and stuff but if you kept your receipt, it’s actually written in there. 

* “When did you last see it?” Standard. I’ve been asked this 3 different times so I’m sure you’d be asked. 

* The police asked me to tell him how much would I be willing to pay for my bike if I were to buy it from a friend. I actually said ZERO. LOL! My bike’s kind of rusty but hey, it does the job! He didn’t accept zero so I said 3000 yen. Might as well be 300. Anyways! 

* The police asked me to identify some marks/stickers or anything helpful to find the bike! Mine has this mansion parking sticker but that’s about it! 

* KANJI yup! I went alone so I had to deal with this on my own. So basically I was supposed to go with Hidemi but homegirl is at work! So yeah, instead of waiting, I braved the Japanese! It wasn’t actually too bad! The police filled out most of the report sheet and just asked me to write my name and address. That’s about it. So I suggest you have something to copy from if you don’t know it by heart already.

* Done! 

The waiting game starts. I want my bike back of course! Madapa sana yung kumuha! I’m still hopeful it’d come back to me one day. But yeah, whatever.