When hailing a taxi on the street, cars that already have passengers will not stop even if you wave. To check whether a taxi is available, look at the electronic sign above the dashboard on the passenger side. If the sign is red or lit in red, the taxi is free and you can safely flag it down. If it shows green, blue, or the word “賃走,” it means the taxi already has a passenger or has been booked.

You may also see other signs that indicate you cannot board. “予約” or “迎車” means the driver is heading to pick up a passenger who booked via app or phone. “回送” indicates the taxi is out of service. If you see “割増,” it means the late-night surcharge is in effect (usually 10 PM to 5 AM), but you can still board as long as the sign is red, indicating the taxi is free. To make yourself more visible to the driver, try waving early so they don’t miss you.

There are three main ways to take a taxi in Tokyo. The first is to line up at a designated taxi stand, and the second is to hail one on the street. Taxi stands are commonly located near station exits, department stores, and shopping malls. The third is to request a ride through a taxi-hailing app like GO or S.RIDE, which lets you book a cab to your location, track its arrival in real time, and pay directly in the app for a smoother, more convenient experience. (Note that some of these apps may add a flat charge on top of the meter amount.)

Most taxis in Japan have rear doors that open automatically. When you signal that you want to ride, the driver will open the rear door for you, so be careful not to bump into it. The front passenger door must be opened manually. If you have large luggage, the driver will help open the trunk and load it for you. A standard taxi can seat three passengers in the back and one in the front, for a total of four people.

Once you get in the taxi, start by telling the driver where you want to go. Many drivers do not speak English, so it’s helpful to have the destination written in romanized Japanese or shown in a guidebook or map. If the driver asks which route you prefer and you don’t have a specific one in mind, simply say “I’ll leave it to you.”

Most taxis in Japan are non-smoking, so please refrain from smoking inside. Eating and drinking are also discouraged out of consideration for other passengers. If you aren’t sure, you can always ask the driver first. Be careful not to spill drinks or stain the seats.

Once you arrive at your destination, simply pay the amount shown on the meter near the driver’s seat. Many taxis now accept credit cards, transportation IC cards such as Suica and Pasmo, and mobile payments.

However, not all vehicles support every payment method, so if you plan to pay cashless, it’s best to confirm before boarding. There is no tipping culture in Japan, so you do not need to tip the driver.

Many international visitors are surprised when taxi fares suddenly increase at night. This is due to Japan’s late-night surcharge system.

・Hours: The surcharge is usually applied from 10 PM to 5 AM.
・Rate: During this period, fares increase by about 20%.

So if you take a taxi late at night and see a red “割増” sign in the window or notice the meter rising more quickly, it’s completely normal and not an overcharge. It’s a good idea to estimate the fare in advance or have enough cash ready so the higher cost doesn’t catch you off guard.

As of November 14, 2023, the basic taxi fare in Tokyo’s 23 wards, Mitaka, and Musashino has been updated to:
・Starting fare: 500 yen
・Distance covered: Up to about 1.096 km

In other words, the first 1.096 km costs a flat 500 yen.

After the initial distance:
・Meter increments: Every additional 255 meters costs 100 yen.

Waiting-time surcharge:
・When the taxi is moving under 10 km/h, 100 yen is added every 90 seconds.

Short-distance example
Here’s a quick calculation for a ride from Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree.

For four people, the per-person taxi cost (about 200 yen) is not much higher than the train fare (160 yen), yet you get the major advantage of a direct, transfer-free ride.

For families or groups of friends traveling in Tokyo, a short taxi trip split among four people can sometimes even be cheaper than taking the train, and may be optimal if you have a few suitcases in tow. Try calculating your route in advance and enjoy Japan’s high-quality taxi service.