How to take taxis in Japan

Japan has a comprehensive transportation network comprising of trains, buses and taxis. In major cities, the dense train transit network provides access across the city and its districts, and buses and taxis typically bridge the gap in areas not covered by the train service.

Taxis can be an efficient and convenient way to travel in the city as they provide door-to-door service with minimal walking. Using a taxi also removes the need to navigate the often times confusing train or bus network. Consequently, taxis can be a convenient way of traveling within the city center or between nearby sightseeing spots. Apps like the taxi app GO that can be used in English make the taxi experience easy and seamless for non-Japanese speakers - from booking taxis, specifying the pick up and drop off locations to the driver to cashless payments.

This article is about how to take a taxi, and the best methods for hailing one as a tourist. Read on to find out more about how to take taxis in Japan.

Finding a taxi

Taxis are common and easily found in major cities. The traditional methods to get a taxi are at taxi stands, which can be found outside of train stations, hotels, shopping malls and major landmarks, and hailing one from the side of the road. Hotel concierges and restaurants can also call for taxis.

In Japan, it is getting increasingly commonplace to call for a taxi using a taxi app. One such taxi app is GO, Japan's most used taxi app¹ with the largest number of vehicles. Among the top 5 taxi apps in Japan, GO has an 80% market share² of total usage time.

The GO app is available in English and Japanese, which makes it easy even for non-Japanese speakers to use. The advantages of using the app are being able to see the vacant taxis nearby, specifying the pick up and drop off locations in advance, getting an estimated arrival time and fare, and paying in-app with a pre-registered credit card or with Apple Pay.

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1. Number of taxi app downloads in Japan�iTotal of App Store and Google Play) - Survey period: October 1, 2020- Mar 31, 2024
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Using a taxi app in a major city is particularly handy when one is far from a train station, any major landmarks, hotels or shops. Using a taxi app like GO includes additional paid options to request for multiple taxis at once, taxis that seat more than 4 passengers, taxis with sliding doors as well as make advance reservations.

When hailing a taxi from the side of the road, it is important to know that a sign with the characters ��� in red indicates a vacant taxi.

Riding a taxi

There are several types of taxis: sedans that sit up to four passengers, minivans that sit up to six passengers, and more and more "Toyota Japan Taxi" these days, whose shape resembles a London Taxi and contains a larger interior that is suitable for people using mobility aids or those with baby prams or strollers. Note that the types of taxis available vary depending on the region or locality; not all are applicable.

Once a taxi has been secured, it is time to get into a taxi. The left rear door of a taxi opens and closes automatically, and passengers can get on or off a taxi hands-free. Upon entering, it is typical to inform the driver of your destination, which is straightforward if your destination is a major landmark, hotel or sightseeing spot in the city. However, for lesser known places, it is easier to give the driver the address of your destination written in Japanese for them to key into the car navigation system.

Using the GO app removes the struggle of communicating in a foreign language, as the destination can be specified to call for a taxi. To do so, simply key in the name or address of your destination when requesting for a taxi. A confirmation number for verification purposes will be given once the taxi is secured and the reservation confirmed.

In an increasingly cashless economy, counting and managing foreign currency to pay for a taxi ride is time consuming and troublesome. A growing number of taxis accept cashless payments in the form of credit cards and IC cards. Taxis that can be called via the GO app (those with the GO taxi decal across the vehicle; except in some regions) have a touch screen located behind the passenger seat, through which passengers can make cashless payments.

Those who call a taxi through the GO app can register a credit card or connect Apple Pay in the app, which can then be selected as the form of payment. The final fare is automatically charged to the registered card, allowing for a seamless, hassle-free travel without having to operate the touch screen.

How are taxi fares calculated

The flagfall rate varies depending on region. In the case of central Tokyo - within the 23 special wards - the flagfall rate of the first kilometer is 500 yen. The meter is started once the taxi sets off, and the price increases with distance traveled, approximately 100 yen for every 255 meters traveled or time elapsed, approximately 100 yen for every 85 seconds of traveling under 10 km/h.

A 20 percent surcharge is imposed for late night or early morning taxi rides. In the event that the expressway is used, the toll fees will be paid for by the passenger. Additionally, a pick up and app usage fee may be charged when calling a taxi through a taxi app.

GO app users will be able to see their estimated fare and its breakdown based on the input pick up and drop off locations before requesting for a taxi. The final cost may differ to the estimate.

A fixed fare "Airport Flat Rate" is proposed for airport transfers booked via the GO app, specifically from Tokyo (the 23 special wards, Musashino City and Mitaka City) to Haneda (from 8,800 yen) or Narita (from 28,400 yen) airports. Registering a credit card or linking Apple Pay to the app is required to take advantage of the Airport Flat Rate. Trips to the airport can be booked in advance or on the spot. Note that the fixed fare does not include expressway tolls, which has to be paid separately as the travel route will be via the expressway. An additional service fee of 400 yen is also charged when the Airport Flat Rate is used.

Useful links

• Taxi app GO - Link to download the GO app on a smartphone