4 Best Japan’s Taxi App For Foreigners To Use + Tips To Know

Japanese public transportation system is known to be efficient both inside and outside the city. But sometimes, it does not reach everywhere. That's where Japanese taxis come in.

Knowing how to hail a taxi in Japan is essential whether you're a resident or a visitor. And great news! Some apps make it easier to do so, too.

In this guide, we'll explore the best Japanese taxi app for foreigners and provide tips on using a Japanese taxi.

How to get a taxi in Japan

There are three main ways to get a Japanese taxi. 

Method 1: Flag one down

Hailing a taxi in Japan

If you don't know how to hail a taxi in Japan, don't worry—it's quite easy, and everyone does it. 

Go to the edge of a main street, try to look into any incoming taxi driver's eyes, and wave your arm out to get their attention. 

Watch out for any taxi cab with "空車." It means their vehicle is available for passengers. 

If you get a driver's attention, they will pull up next to you with their hazard lights on. The door will automatically open for you to get in. From there, you can tell the driver where you are going. 

Japanese taxi signs to know

When looking for a Japanese taxi to flag down, pay attention to the sign as it will dedicate which taxi is free for passengers to ride in:

• 空車: Vacant. The Japanese taxi is available for passengers 

• 迎車: En route to a customer

• 賃走: Occupied. The Japanese taxi are not available.

• 回送: Out of service

• 割増: Extra charge. Japanese taxi fares are about 20% higher from late at night to the early morning, from 10 pm to 5 am the following morning.

• 貸切: Charter taxi. A taxi that is rented by the hour or distance

• 予約車: Reserved. The Japanese taxi is reserved for a specific time. 

Method 2: Wait in line at a taxi stand

A Japanese taxi service stand at Hakata Station.

Many taxi stands are outside train stations, large hotels, and airports.

When you arrive at the Japanese taxi stand, a line of people may be waiting for a taxi. The first person in line is expected to take the first available taxi. Respect the order, and don't jump ahead.

Once you're at the front, the taxi's door will automatically open for you to step in. If you have luggage, the driver will place it in the trunk.

Once everyone is inside, provide your destination or address and enjoy the ride. 

I've used the airport taxi stands to grab a ride when I have heavy luggage, which I greatly appreciate.

Method 3: Use a Japanese taxi app

Like your Lyft and Uber apps back home, plenty of taxi apps in Japan can help you hail a taxi immediately where you are or make a reservation time in advance.

The Japanese taxi industry is well-established and has industry standards; thus, there is a process for being a taxi driver. So, apps like Uber are taxi-booking apps rather than ride-sharing services. 

Best Japan’s taxi app for foreigners to use

All Japanese taxi apps are taxi-hailing apps that allow you to hail a taxi without going outside. Just pick the

These are the best Japanese taxi apps for foreigners to use while you are traveling in Japan. 

a) Go Taxi

Go Taxi is Japan's most well-known taxi app, with taxis available in 45 out of 47 prefectures. Their dispatch system connects you to nearby Go Taxis for quick pickups and smooth rides.

Go App allows you to use any phone number and foreign credit card, making it great for foreigners traveling and living in Japan.

The app offers pre-booking with fixed fares, AI-based reservations, and multiple payment options such as credit cards, PayPay, Apple Pay, and more.

So, whether you are in Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, or Hokkaido, GO Taxis are available and reliable. 

b) DiDi Mobility

DiDi Mobility is one of the popular Japanese taxi apps. It offers multilingual support, including English, making it accessible for non-Japanese speakers. 

It provides convenient features such as cashless payments, upfront pricing, and 24/7 service. Plus, DiDi Mobility partners with any local taxi company in Japan, allowing you to book traditional taxis through their app.

I've used DiDi Mobility for taxi reservations every time I go to the airport with my heavy luggage and have had no issues with it.

c) Uber Japan

We all know what Uber is. Thus, their presence in Japan is especially unique.

Japan's Uber taxi drivers are all licensed professional taxi drivers with registered taxi vehicles, making Uber Japan more of a taxi-hailing app for booking and reserving taxi rides. 

If you are familiar with Uber abroad, you'll be familiar with Uber Japan's app interface.

Payments can be made with a credit or debit card, a cashless option like PayPay or Rakuten Pay, or cash.

d) S-Ride 

S-Ride is a great Japanese taxi app in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama.

The app is straightforward. You can easily book a taxi by entering your destination, and the app will find the nearest taxi to pick you up. 

Their "One Slide feature" makes using S-Ride to jail a taxi with a finger swipe. Their app provides fare estimates before booking, so you can see how much it will cost before confirming the taxi ride.

The S-Ride app is best for those living in Japan, as it can be downloaded with a Japanese Apple or Google Play Store account. 

How much are taxis in Japan?

The standard Japanese taxi fare is about ¥500-¥750 for the first 1-2 kilometers, with additional charges of approximately ¥80-¥100 for every 200-400 meters after. There might also be a time-distance fare that kicks in when the taxi is moving slowly, such as in heavy traffic.

Additionally, the fare for the ride will depend on the city, type of taxi, and time of day.

Japanese taxi tips

1) Do not open the door yourself 

In Japan, the driver automatically controls the taxi doors, a standard service feature in almost all taxis. When you approach the taxi, the driver opens the door for you using a lever, and once you're seated, they close it for you as well. This feature is not only convenient but is also considered part of the service standard in Japan. It's a small detail that exemplifies the emphasis on customer care in Japanese service culture.

2) Have your destination address written in Japanese 

Have your destination address written in Japanese for the taxi driver to read. It'll make the process much smoother. However, if you reserved a taxi through any of the Japanese taxi apps, the driver should already have your destination preloaded

3) No tipping 

Japan has a no-tipping culture, which also extends to taxi rides. Tipping is neither expected nor accepted. If you try to tip a taxi driver, they may politely refuse. The fare displayed at the end of your ride is all you need to pay.

4) Use cash or IC cards 

While many taxis now accept credit cards, cash is still Japan's most commonly used payment method. It's a good idea to have enough cash on hand to pay for your ride. Alternatively, many taxis in larger cities now accept IC cards like Suica or Pasmo, which are convenient and quick to use. Tap your card on the reader at the end of your ride to pay.

Frequently asked questions

Do taxis in Japan take credit cards?

Taxis in major cities now take credit cards. They also accept cash and other forms of cashless payment. However, carrying cash with you is always best if they do not accept card payments. 

Are there taxis in Japan?

Yes, there are taxis in Japan that are available for locals and tourists.

Is there Uber in Japan?

Japan's Uber works differently in other countries. Uber in Japan partners with licensed taxi companies since the law prohibits private individuals from offering ride-sharing services. As such, all Uber rides in Japan are driven by licensed Japanese taxi drivers.

How much is a taxi from Narita to Tokyo?

If you are grabbing a regular taxi from the taxi stand at Narita Airport, it can cost over 250,000 yen to get to Tokyo. However, the exact pricing will depend on the traffic and time of day. 

How much is a taxi from Haneda to Tokyo?

From Haneda airport, a taxi fare to Tokyo can range from 8,000 yen to 12,500 yen, depending on your destination in Tokyo.

In closing

Now you know about Japan's taxi app for foreigners, locals, and tourists. Use these apps anytime you need a quick ride to your destination. Japan's reliable taxi services are a couple of taps away.