8 Tips You Should Know How To Catch A Cab In Japan [2020 updated]

No one has problems to find Uber ride in the US, except for some small isolated town.

Even you travel to other sightseeing places in foreign countries, you can find Uber or Lyft easily.

Do you think you have no problem to find Uber or Lyft there?

If you stay in Tokyo, Yes – But outside of Tokyo, NO.

JUST UBER is available in only Tokyo.

Happy News For you!

Now, Uber aka “Uber Taxi” is available major cities in Japan such as 

Lyft, I don’t think so.

Moreover, the price is higher than using regular taxis.

Why?

First, you need a taxi driver’s license for being a commercial driver, generally, the system of Uber is illegal in Japan.

Therefore, “Uber Taxi” is using all licensed taxi vehicles and drivers.

Secondly, the Japanese taxi and chauffeur service companies are not welcome ride-share services due to protect their businesses.

No, Uber?!

Don’t be in a panic!

However, you know that

You can hail a cab super easy in Japan, especially in popular cities. I will tell you how to catch a cab in Japan.

How do Japanese taxis look like?

Well, not so much difference from cabs in your countries. I mean, you can recognize the vehicle is a cab.

You see a taxi light on the rooftop, a neon sign on the dashboard, which tells you vacant or not in Japanese-Chinese characters, a price sticker on the backseat window.

The color of the body depends on the companies, so it is not always yellow.

I don’t think it is necessary to learn which Japanese-Chinese characters mean vacant or not, because you have already too much information for your Japan trip.

I will give you hints instead.

When you hail a cab, but the driver ignores you, it means the cab is not available.

Make Sure You Have Enough CASH

I believe Japan is one of the high-technology countries, but systems of a credit card have been very delayed from other countries.

Taxi as well.

Some companies don’t accept credit card payment, even though they do, international credit cards will not go through the system sometimes.

Make sure you have enough cash with you before hailing a cab.

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But not like 5 years ago, we didn’t have any problem paying with our international credit card in the last couple of years in Japan.

If you want to withdraw money, you can do at 7-elven or Japan Post Bank (Yucho,ゆうちょ).

How to hail a cab?

In the city

Find the busy street nearby, hail a cab by raising or waving your hand from the sidewalk.

I recommend hail a cab in the same direction where you are going to if you know, it saves a lot of money.

Do not hail a cab around a crosswalk, an intersection, and a bus stop.

The cab driver is not allowed to pool the car around these places, it’s a law.

Also, you can find a cab easily at the train station.

In the countryside

If you are in the countryside, you can (ask) call the cab or use the “Japan Taxi app” below.

Remember, when you call the cab, they charge you a “booking fee” about ¥200.

The door will be opened and closed automatically

Don’t try to close and open by yourself.

The door will be opened and closed automatically.

Moreover, the driver will often do it for you. (No tip required.)

Sometimes the driver has to reopen and close the door to reset automation if you do it.

Japanese vs English

Most of the Japanese people hardly speak English.

You are really lucky if you can catch the English speaking driver.

Take a screenshot of the information written in Japanese,

in case the old driver can’t read the alphabets.

(Seriously. My 72-year-old father can’t read them.)

Don’t worry about TIPPING!

In Japan, tipping is not customary.

You just pay the exact price on the meter that the driver shows you.

In addition, it is a polite way in Japan to use small bills if you are available because sometimes they don’t have enough changes.

RATE

The fare of a taxi varies depends on companies and location.

When using a standard four-passenger taxi, it typically starts around 400-700 yen for the first up to two kilometers

and increases by around 80-90 yen for every additional 300-400 meters.

Tokyo

In Tokyo, the starting fare is 410 yen for the first 1.059 kilometers. After that, the fare increases 80 yen for every 237 meters.

Osaka

In Osaka, the starting fare is 680 yen for the first 2 kilometers. After that, the fare increases 80 yen for every 266 meters.

Kyoto

In Kyoto, the starting fare is 620 yen for the first 1.7 kilometers. After that, the fare increases 80 yen for every 276 meters.

Fukuoka

In Fukuoka, the starting fare is 750 yen for the first 1.6 kilometers. After that, the fare increases 80 yen for every 180 meters.

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I know, I know, you want to know exactly how much cost anyway.

I have a few examples, here.

• Nagoya

From Nagoya station to Hilton Nagoya which is about 1.4 km, it always cost around ¥1,200.

• Toyota

From Toyota Kaikan Museum to Toyota-shi station which is about 4.2 km, we paid around ¥2,000.

• Gifu

From my house to the closest station which is about 12.2 km, we paid about ¥6, 000.

Watch out additional charges

Most taxi companies add a late-night/early morning surcharge of 20-30% for rides hailed between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m

There is also the waiting for a charge,  which is the surcharge of the time such as when you let the driver wait for a while when the driver speeds down below 10km/h (6 mph) in busy traffic or waiting long a light.

Some companies charge you a booking fee.

Although a hotel offers you calling a cab, the cab company will charge you a booking fee (about ¥200).

If the cab uses a high-way, (in Japan, no freeway) you have to pay for it.

Usually, the driver asks you if you need to use a high-way. It rarely happens except you are in a hurry or going for a long distance.

Useful Apps

If you have an internet connection, you can use apps to call, so you don’t have to worry about a language barrier.

Japan Taxi

• Supported Area is All over Japan
• English/Chinese/Korean
• The fixed fare between 7 airports and certain cities. *The fare varies by the participated taxi companies.

DiDi-Rider

• Tokyo/Osaka/Hyogo/Kyoto/Hokkaido/Fukuoka/Nagoya/Hiroshima/Aomori
• English / Spanish

Uber

• Supported Areas are Tokyo Only 16 major cities

Communication

Conclusion

You really don’t have to worry about catching a cab in Japan.

Now, Uber is also available in major cities.

In Japan, Uber is called “Uber Taxi” because taxi companies are operated as Uber so they are licensed cab drivers, not private drivers. (it is very safe.)

If you use a cab without apps, make sure you have cash just in case.

Also, make a note or screenshot of your destination information in Japanese.

Do not open and close a door by yourself.

Remember you will be charged an extra during the late night and early morning, and also when you call the cab (even via apps).