Taxis in Japan

Taxis in Japan are another convenient transportation option. One downside to rail travel in Japan is that the trains only go as far as the train stations. They also stop running around midnight. So if your ultimate destination is beyond walking distance from the train station, or if you're out on the town late at night, a taxi may be your best, and sometimes only, option!

Overview of Japan Taxis

In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, taxis are easy to find because they're everywhere! The easiest place to find a taxi is right outside the train station. Just about every major train station has a taxi stand where cabs are lined up and waiting to take you to your destination.

You'll also find taxis roaming the streets. Just like in other parts of the world, you can hail an unoccupied cab to pick you up and take you where you need to go.

While Japan taxis are convenient, they are also a bit pricey. As of July 2008, fares are 710 yen for the first 2,000 meters, and 90 yen for each additional 288 meters traveled. Between the hours of 10pm and 5am, the rate increases by 20%.

Though fares in Japan may be expensive, they are also reliable. In Japan, you never need to worry that a driver is trying to squeeze extra money out of you or charge you the "tourist rate," as is the case in some other countries. It simply does not happen in Japan.

How to Use Taxis in Japan

Catching a cab in Japan is actually quite easy. Here's how it works:

If you're at the train station, simply line up at the taxi stand and wait for the next available cab.

When hailing a cab on the street, hold up your arm to signal an unoccupied taxi.

In Japan, taxi doors open and close automatically.

Most Japanese taxi drivers do not speak English, but this should not be a problem as long as you can tell them the name of your destination. If you can't, but can show it to the driver from a guidebook or map, this should usually be sufficient.

Once you arrive at your destination pay the driver the amount shown on the meter. Tipping taxi drivers is unnecessary, as tipping is not customary in Japan.

Just as in the Big Apple, taxis in Japan are a convenient and indispensible form of transportation in Tokyo and the rest of Land of the Rising Sun.