The subway systems in Japan’s major cities are very convenient for getting around. Sometimes, however, you just wanna hail a ride back to your hotel. Fortunately, various Japan taxi services now make it easier not only to get a ride but even communicate with your driver. Here’s how to get around town, including from and to Tokyo’s major airports.
Japan taxi basics
Since Japan re-opened for tourism, business has been booming. Japan’s National Tourism Organization last month announced that 2023’s tourist numbers are even beating the levels seen in 2019 before global health issues shut down travel worldwide.
This flood of new visitors needs a way to get around town. In the major cities, the easiest travel methods are subways and buses. Tourists can grab rechargeable subway passes that last 30 days or even add transportation IC cards, such as Suica and Pasmo, directly to their phones.
Sometimes, however, you want a faster way to go from point A to point B. Maybe you’re just tired and don’t want to hassle with figuring out which company’s line in Japan’s sprawling transportation system you need to take to get back to your hotel.
You can grab a taxi from taxi loading zones (タクシーのりば) near subway stations. But what if you can’t find one or aren’t close to a station?
In these circumstances, local residents use apps like Go Taxi or S.Ride to call a taxi to their location. Historically, these apps – like many convenience apps in Japan – require a Japanese phone number to register and use.
Go Taxi opens up to foreign phone number registration
Thankfully, Japan’s most downloaded taxi-hailing app is making things easier for visitors.
Go Taxi has slowly been working to expand its user base to appeal to foreign visitors. In 2022, it build integrations with popular messaging/payment apps used in Asia, such as Kakao Talk in South Korea, AliPay in China, and Grab in Southeast Asia. Go says that 60% of South Korean visitors – the largest source of foreign tourism for Japan – use the link with Kakao Talk to hail a ride.
Now, as of November 2023, visitors from outside of Asia can easily use Go as well. The company announced that it’s opened the app up to allow registration using non-Japan phone numbers. It’s also updated the app to include full English translations.
Using the app is simple. Users from countries such as the United States can download the app from the US App Store or Google Play Store and register with their home phone number. You can then register a major credit card, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner’s Club (people still use that?), or JCB. Then, just call a taxi from your desired taxi company in your service area and you’re good to go.
You also don’t have to worry about potential language difficulties. Go informs taxi drivers if you’ve set the app to a non-Japanese language. In that case, the driver will ask to see the confirmation number in your app. After that, you’re good to go.
Japan taxi services are strapped
Go has a large service area that covers all 45 of Japan’s prefectures. That means the odds that you can get a taxi wherever you go in Japan are pretty good.
The issue is whether there are any taxis available. Thanks to the boost in tourism, taxis are becoming increasingly harder to hail. Unlicensed taxis are rushing to fill this gap, potentially putting tourists in danger.
To address the shortage, Japan’s government has enacted forward a plan to allow ridesharing during limited hours. In the past, you could only use rideshare apps like Uber to hail licensed taxi companies; Japan hasn’t allowed so-called “shiro-taxi”, or unlicensed citizen drivers. The new plan opens ridesharing to gig economy drivers near popular tourist locations when traditional taxis are at minimal capacity.
In other words, you can freely use both User and the Go Taxi app to get around town. Uber will usually get you a licensed driver, except during peak times.
If you decide to hail a taxi outside of an app, be wary of the influx of unlicensed services. Most of these operate via overseas Web sites through sites like Booking.com or through their own storefronts.
How do you tell if a driver is licensed? In Japan, every licensed taxi has a green license plate. If someone offers you a ride (which is, in itself, suspicious), check their license plate. If it’s white, you run a high risk of getting hustled.
Japan taxi: Getting to and from the airport in Tokyo
What about the airport? Is it worth taxiing to and from the airport in Tokyo?
First, I’ll say that there are definitely cheaper options available. That’s especially true if you’re landing at Narita Airport, which is further away from Tokyo midtown. Services such as the N’Ex line and Limousine Bus services can get you from Haneda and Narita to any downtown destination for between USD $30 and $50, in most cases.
However, you might have a lot of luggage. Or, you may simply want the comfort and luxury that a door-to-door taxi service can provide. In these circumstances, we recommend booking a taxi from our good friends at Inbound Platform. Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport when you land. Plus, if you have any issues, you can use Inbound Platform’s excellent English-language customer services.
Need more help making your Japan trip a special occasion? Contact Unseen Japan Tours – we can craft a custom itinerary suited to your interests that’ll make your vacation a time to remember.
Have thoughts on this article? Share them with us on our Bluesky account or the Unseen Japan Discord server.
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Sources
No.1タクシーアプリ『GO』 訪日外客の利用対応を本格的に開始. PR Times
