The influx of tourists to Japan means there aren’t enough taxis to go around for everyone. That’s leading authorities around areas such as Hyogo Prefecture’s Himeji Castle to issue warnings to tourists about so-called “white taxis,” or unlicensed taxi services.
In Japan, licensed taxis and other organizational vehicles are designated with green plates. A white plate indicates a consumer vehicle – and thus someone who shouldn’t legally be offering taxi services. (Japan allowed rideshare drivers for the first time last year; however, rideshare drivers can only operate in specific locations during peak times when regular taxis are liable to be booked. Uber operates here largely as a service for calling a licensed taxi.)
As a result, illegal “white taxi” services have sprung up all across the country. These services are hard for police to catch, as they typically set up booking forms or apps outside of Japan.
Many such services cater to Chinese travelers, who are traveling to Japan en masse during Chinese New Year. To counter the use of such taxis, Sun TV in Hyogo Prefecture reports that police and the Ministry of Transportation are handing out fliers around Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture warning tourists about the illegal rides.
The castle is an extremely popular destination, ranking as Japan’s second-most popular castle among foreign tourists. The fliers, written in both English and Chinese, explain the difference between the two plates and warn about the potential dangers of accepting rides from unlicensed drivers.
The fliers warn in particular that passengers will likely be unable to receive any compensation from such drivers in case of an accident. Police say there have been at least two accidents involving white taxis since last April.
Japan saw a record number of tourists in 2024 and is expecting 40 million visitors – which would be a new annual record – in 2025. While a majority of Japanese welcome the travelers, it’s putting a strain on Japan’s infrastructure, especially since the country continues to wrestle with a chronic labor shortage.
To help control visits and fund local infrastructure improvements, many sites are looking at two-tier pricing for tourists. Himeji Castle itself is considering two-tier pricing, which news reports say could take effect in 2026.
Need more information on taxi services in Japan? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to call a taxi and what to watch out for.
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