Taking a Taxi in Japan: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you're a tourist or living in Japan, sometimes taxis will be the most convenient way to get where you need to go--especially if you have to carry your luggage from the airport to your hotel. We'll take you through how to catch a taxi, the etiquette you should know before getting in, and introduce the best apps you can use to hail a cab in Japan.
How to Hail a Taxi
In order to catch a taxi in Japan, you have to either hail one on the street or use one waiting at a taxi stand (look for a sign saying "タクシーのりば" with a picture of a taxi on it) at hotels, stations, or on major roads in large cities. In major cities, you can find taxis everywhere, but if you want to skip competing with others you can also use smartphone apps to hail a cab.
To catch a taxi on your own, first, you have to find one on the street with a sign saying "空車 (empty)" in front of the passenger seat, then stretch out your hand to hail it down. If the light on top of the taxi's roof is on, it tells you the car is empty. If the light is not on, it is likely to be booked already so do not expect it to pull over for you.
The Taxi Experience in Japan
Once you've successfully hailed a cab, don't reach for the car door handles right away! The rear seat doors of a Japanese taxi open automatically, so wait for the doors to open, and get in the back seats. It's fine to sit in the passenger seat if all of the back seats are full, but it's customary to sit in the rear. The driver will also get out of the car and take care of loading and unloading any luggage you have into the trunk of the cab.
The largest hurdle you may face once you're in the cab is that while some drivers may be able to speak English, chances are that most drivers won't understand you. Show them the address written down on your phone or on a piece of paper, or bring a guidebook or map to show them where you want to go.
Taxi Fares in Japan
It's a well-known fact that in many countries around the world, taxis can--and will--try to rip you off with surprise fees. Luckily, the likelihood of this happening in Japan is low. Rates and the total fare are clearly displayed in every taxi and available online, so the price you see on the taximeter is the price you will pay when you arrive at your destination. And since you are never expected to tip in Japan (in fact it can be seen as rude), you will only need to pay the taxi fare.
That being said, taking a taxi in Japan will likely end up being pricier than traveling by public transportation. There are also additional charges for late-night and early-morning rides, reservation fees, and fees if the taxi has to travel to you. There may also be additional charges if you use an app to hail a cab.
One last thing to note is that while recently more and more taxis are accepting cashless payments and credit cards, it is possible a taxi will only accept cash. Taxis that accept credit cards or cashless payments usually clearly advertise this on the outside of the car, so be sure to check and make sure before getting into the cab.
For specific taxi fares and extra charges, check out the link below:
The Best Apps to Hail a Taxi in Japan
There are several different apps you can choose from to hail a cab in Japan. You can use these apps to get a taxi to come to pick you up at your location as well as pay for the taxi directly through the app. Be warned that some of these apps may not have all features available in English.
・GO Taxi
Go Taxi can be used in every prefecture in Japan and allows you to pay for the taxi through the app itself. You can specify what kind of taxi you want to pick you up, track your taxi's location, and pay for the taxi through the app. The app also offers Airport flat-rate services to take you to or from Haneda or Narita airports.
【 Download 】
・Japan Taxi
Japan Taxi can be used everywhere in Japan, which makes it one of the most popular taxi apps. It collaborates with more than 800 taxi firms all over Japan, having more than 60,000 taxis in place. You can pay with your credit card registered in the app using an online payment called Japan Taxi Wallet.
【 Download 】
・Uber
Depending on where you are coming from, you likely already have Uber installed on your phone. While ride-sharing using the app is generally not possible in Japan, Uber can be used in Japan to hail a taxi instead. Uber Taxi can be used in many major cities in Japan, but the coverage is not as extensive as some of the other apps on this list.
【 Download 】
・Fulcul
Fulcul is a taxi app named after the Japanese words "furu (shake)" and "kuru (come)" as you can call a taxi by just shaking your smartphone. With this app, you are able to check empty taxis within a radius of 500m from you, and just shaking your smartphone can bring a taxi to you without extra fees. Fulcul is only available in the 23 wards in Tokyo, Musashino City, and Mitaka City.
【 Download 】
Tokyo Taxi Company Phone Numbers
With so many taxis out on the streets and a variety of different apps available, it is unlikely you will need to actually call an individual taxi company. If, however, you do need to call for a taxi, here is a list of many of the taxi companies in Tokyo. On this list, Kokusai Motorcars and Nihon Kotsu have English phone operators available.
Ready to Go!
Taking a taxi in Japan is an easy, stress-free option, especially if you're traveling with heavy suitcases from your hotel or the airport, or accidentally missed the last train after an evening of enjoying Tokyo's vibrant nightlife. With a variety of taxi apps available and cashless payments becoming more and more common, taking a taxi in Japan has never been easier.
