Taxis & Rideshares

Taxis in Japan are clean, safe, and metered. The starting fare is typically ¥400–¥730 depending on the city and time of day. They are expensive for long distances — use trains between cities.

Red light in the windshield corner = available. Green = occupied. Doors open and close automatically — stand clear and don't touch the handle.

You do not tip taxi drivers in Japan. It is not customary and may be refused. Pay the exact or rounded-up fare; the driver will return any small change if needed.

Major rideshare apps: GO (JapanTaxi), DiDi, and Uber (limited coverage in Japan, mostly Tokyo). These are sometimes cheaper than flagging a taxi and can be linked to your credit card.

Show the driver your destination in Japanese — have your hotel concierge or Google Maps write it. English is not widely spoken among taxi drivers, especially outside Tokyo.