What's interesting about taxis in Japan? 3 ways to call a taxi in Japan you should know to travel more easily! 

When coming to Japan, a country famous for its modern and punctual public transportation system, many people still choose to call a taxi as a flexible and convenient solution, especially at night or in places with few trains. However, not everyone knows how to call a taxi in japan quickly, easily and cost-effectively. Let's explore with T-Connect the 3 most popular ways to call a taxi in the land of cherry blossoms, along with important notes!

Ways to call a taxi in Japan

Calling a taxi in Japan is not difficult, but it will be easier if you know the 3 common ways to call a taxi in Japan below. Whether you are a tourist or a resident of Japan, each method has its own advantages suitable for each specific situation:

Call a taxi directly

This is the most traditional and common way in Japan. If you are near a train station, shopping mall or residential area, you can wave your hand to hail a taxi. Look for the light signs on the taxi:

• 空車 (kuusha): means the car is empty – can be caught
• 賃走 (chinso) or light off: car has passengers - no more pick up

Use taxi app

If you don’t want to wait or are in an area with few cars, using an app is the fastest and most convenient way to call a taxi in Japan. Some popular apps also support English:

• GO App: operates in many major cities, easy to use
• JapanTaxi: links more than 50 taxi companies across Japan
• Uber Japan: only operates in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
• Didi Japan: friendly interface, supporting tourists

You just need to choose the pick-up point - destination, choose the payment method (card, e-wallet or cash) and track the vehicle's location right on your phone.

Call a taxi by phone

Some people still prefer to call a traditional taxi through the call center, especially in areas with few taxis or at night. You can call directly to companies such as:

• Nihon Kotsu (Tokyo): 03-5755-2336
• MK Taxi (Kyoto, Osaka): 075-778-4141

However, drivers or operators usually only speak Japanese, so if you are not fluent in the language, you should ask the hotel staff or a local to help you book.

Pros and cons of 3 ways to call a taxi in Japan

How to call a taxi	Advantages	Disadvantages
Call directly on the road	– Fast, no need to use phone or app – Popular in big cities	– Difficult to call in remote areas, late at night or when it is raining – Need to identify symbols on the vehicle
Call via taxi app	– Can book in advance, see price and car location – Support electronic payment – Some apps support English	– Internet connection required – Additional parking fees may apply
Call by phone	– Suitable when there is no Internet or you are not familiar with using the app – Can call a car to your place	– Operators usually speak Japanese – It can be difficult to call if you don't know the exact address.

List of popular taxi companies in Japan

When learning how to call a taxi in Japan, knowing some reputable and popular taxi companies in advance will help you feel more secure when traveling, especially in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto. Some taxi companies trusted by locals and tourists include:

Company name	Main areas of operation	Outstanding characteristics
Nihon kotsu	Tokyo and vicinity	Luxury black car, professional service, even has its own app that supports English.
Tokyo Musen	Tokyo	Large scale, large fleet, easy to catch a car on the street, reasonable price.
MK Taxi	Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo	Polite driver, “omotenashi” (hospitality) service, clean car.
Kintetsu Taxi	Osaka, Nara, Kyoto	Connected to the Kintetsu train system, easy to book a car near the station.
Checker Cab	Fukuoka	City wide coverage, stable service and reasonable price.
Hinomaru Limo	Tokyo	High-class service, limousine available, suitable for airport transfers or business trips.

You need to note the following tips when choosing a taxi company:

• You should use big brands if you don't know Japanese because they usually have app systems that support English.
• MK Taxi and Nihon Kotsu are famous for their punctuality and Japanese service attitude.
• Tokyo Musen is easiest to call on the street if you don't use an app.

Taxi fares in Japan

Knowing the taxi fares in Japan in advance will help you be more proactive in choosing your means of transportation and avoid being surprised by the cost. Compared to many Asian countries, taxi fares in Japan are relatively high, however, in return you will receive safe, punctual, and extremely professional service.

Fees you need to be aware of when taking a taxi in Japan:

• Opening price (base fare):
  • Tokyo: 500–730 yen for the first ~1,052m
  • Osaka, Kyoto: about 600–700 yen for the first 1–2 km
  • Other cities like Fukuoka, Hokkaido: from 450–700 yen
• Price calculated by distance:
  • Increase by 80–100 yen for every additional 237m–300m
  • On average 5km will cost about 1,200–2,000 yen
• Night surcharge: Valid from 22:00 PM to 5:00 AM, usually 20%–30% off regular price
• Fee for booking via app or call center: Varies from 100-500 yen/order
• Baggage / Airport Fees: Traveling from the airport (Haneda/Narita) will incur an additional toll fee of 600–1,000 yen.

If you want to save money on taxis in Japan, keep in mind

• Traveling in a group of 3-4 people will help split the taxi fare.
• Use apps like DiDi or GO to find cheap prices and new customer deals.
• Combine taxi + train for long distance travel to save more

Some notes when taking a taxi in Japan

Once you know how to call a taxi in Japan, you should also remember the following small rules to avoid confusion and make the trip smoother and more polite:

• No need to open car door manually: Taxis in Japan are equipped with automatic doors, the driver will be the one to control the opening and closing of the rear door. Therefore, you just need to stand and wait for the door to open, absolutely do not pull the door yourself to avoid damaging the automatic mechanism and causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
• Avoid taking taxis if public transport is available. Because taxi fares in Japan are quite high, you should only take a taxi in special situations such as when it's raining, when you have bulky luggage, or when there are no trains or buses.
• Drivers rarely speak English: Most taxi drivers in Japan are not fluent in English, so it is a good idea to have your destination address ready in Japanese or displayed on Google Maps. This is one of the effective ways to call a taxi in Japan if you do not speak Japanese.
• No tipping culture: Unlike many countries, tipping the driver is not common in Japan, and the driver will politely refuse if you give him more money. All costs are clearly calculated on the meter or in the app if you book via the app.
• Payment by many forms. In addition to cash, most taxis in Japan now accept credit cards, IC cards (such as Suica, Pasmo) and QR codes. However, you should check the payment logo on the car door or ask the driver before getting in to avoid trouble.
• Don't talk loudly. Japanese culture values ​​quiet and respect for personal space. When taking a taxi, you should limit talking loudly or making long phone calls to avoid disturbing the driver and to show politeness.
• Invoice may be requested. If you need to keep a record of your travel expenses (for business or tax refund), ask the driver for a receipt by saying: “レシートお願いします” (Reshiito onegaishimasu – please give me a receipt).
• It is not easy to catch a bus in remote areas. In suburban areas, small towns or mountainous areas, it is difficult to hail a taxi directly on the street. In this case, you should call the operator or use an app like JapanTaxi or DiDi to book in advance.

Understanding how to hail a taxi in Japan will help you travel more easily in all situations. Whether you choose to hail a traditional taxi, book a car via an app, or call a hotline, each method has its own advantages to suit different needs. Just master the notes on taxi culture in Japan, you can completely enjoy the journey safely, conveniently and in a truly "Japanese" way.

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