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Tokyo Taxi

When you need a Tokyo taxi, the first rule of thumb is to have the address of your destination written down in Japanese if at all possible. Exceptions to this would be major Tokyo hotels and companies, although even then there's no guarantee that your driver will know the exact location.

Tokyo is a maze of both major and minor roads. The taxi drivers need all the help they can get!

How Much is a Tokyo Taxi?

So how much will you need to spend if you want to take a cab in Tokyo?

It's pretty straight forward - it's just not the cheapest option. From the beginning of your journey, until you get to the 2km mark, the initial fare is usually ¥710. From then on, for every 274m traveled, add on another ¥80. If you get stuck in traffic, not an unheard of eventuality in Tokyo - you can add on another ¥80 for approximately every 2 minutes of being stationary.

At night, between the hours of 11pm and 5am there's an additional surcharge of around 30% added to the above. You can tell when a taxi has altered it's meter to the extra fare as it will show a green light in the window.

If you are coming into Tokyo International Airport, make sure you plan your route into the city.

A taxi will cost in the region of ¥30,000. Want to convert these prices? See the converter at the bottom of our Tokyo Prices page.

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Flagging a Tokyo Taxi

If a Tokyo taxi is available for hire, you can tell by the red light that's showing in the window. The calling sign is the international one of stick your hand out and signal.

A taxi with a yellow light in the window means they are either on call or unavailable.

If a taxi does not stop for you, don't take it personally. A lot of taxi drivers don't speak much English. They may have had a hard day and be tired or they may know they're not great at communicating. If this is the case, you are better off waiting for the next one anyway.

If you happen to be needing a taxi and are outside a train station or major venue, there's likely to be a taxi rank.

They're easy to recognize. Either you will see a colourful row of taxis queueing as in the picture or - and this is especially true if you just happen to miss the last train and need to catch a cab - you'll see a long line of people all in the same position as you. Just join the line and wait.

For a bit of fun, check out the lights on top of the taxis. Each company has different symbols and there are some that have more meaning than others. Tokyo PingMag has a great article all about Tokyo taxi lights here. Enjoy!

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Automatic Doors and Satellite Navigation

When it's your turn to get into a taxi, don't try to open the door!

They will open automatically at the touch of a button by the driver. This is routine and, if you bend down to grab the handle, you're likely to get a face full of door. How do I know this? Let's just call it personal experience from the early days in the big T!

The same rule applies when getting out of the taxi. The door will silently glide shut behind you without any effort on your part.

Satellite navigation systems are making the life of Tokyo taxi drivers much easier. If you happen to get in a taxi that has one of these - you can't miss them they are right in the middle of the dashboard - and you have your address written in Japanese, bingo! They just type in the address and off you go.

If there is no satellite navigation, don't worry if the driver spends a few minutes pouring over a road map figuring out his route. Although it doesn't inspire confidence, they will get you home.

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Haggling, Tipping and Honesty

There's no haggling over the fare with a Tokyo taxi. The system is fully regulated and all fares are metered. Unlike taxi fares in the rest of Asia, in Tokyo it is what it is... period.

You are not expected to tip as the price is fully inclusive. Taxi driving in Tokyo is a profession and standards apply. It's clearly visible when you see the immaculate uniforms most drivers wear including gloves, a suit, and often a cap. If you try to tip it will be refused as that's not the way it's done here.

Part of that professional etiquette includes honesty. If you happen to lose something in a taxi, report it as you are more than likely to get your items back.