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How to take taxis in Japan

Hassle-free taxi rides using Japan’s most used taxi app GO

Japan has a comprehensive transportation network comprising of trains, buses and taxis. In major cities, the dense train transit network provides access across the city and its districts, and buses and taxis typically bridge the gap in areas not covered by the train service.

Taxis can be an efficient and convenient way to travel in the city as they provide door-to-door service with minimal walking. Using a taxi also removes the need to navigate the often times confusing train or bus network. Consequently, taxis can be a convenient way of traveling within the city center or between nearby sightseeing spots. Apps like the taxi app GO that can be used in English make the taxi experience easy and seamless for non-Japanese speakers - from booking taxis, specifying the pick up and drop off locations to the driver to cashless payments.

This article is about how to take a taxi, and the best methods for hailing one as a tourist. Read on to find out more about how to take taxis in Japan.

Finding a taxi

Taxis are common and easily found in major cities. The traditional methods to get a taxi are at taxi stands, which can be found outside of train stations, hotels, shopping malls and major landmarks, and hailing one from the side of the road. Hotel concierges and restaurants can also call for taxis.

In Japan, it is getting increasingly commonplace to call for a taxi using a taxi app. One such taxi app is GO, Japan's most used taxi app1 with the largest number of vehicles. Among the top 5 taxi apps in Japan, GO has an 80% market share2 of total usage time.

The GO app is available in English and Japanese, which makes it easy even for non-Japanese speakers to use. The advantages of using the app are being able to see the vacant taxis nearby, specifying the pick up and drop off locations in advance, getting an estimated arrival time and fare, and paying in-app with a pre-registered credit card or with Apple Pay.

・GO is the most used Taxi App in Japan

GO is the No. 1* Taxi App serving 45 of Japan's 47 prefectures, including major tourist areas like Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okinawa.

80% of the time spent on Taxi Apps in Japan is on GO.

You can now sign up with a non-Japanese mobile number.

* Sourced from data.ai by Sensor Tower

- Number of Taxi App downloads in Japan (Total of app Store and Google Play)

- Survey period: October 1, 2020 - June 30, 2024

- Among the top 5 Taxi Apps in Japan, GO has an 80% market share of total usage time. (Total of iOS and Android smartphones)

- Survey period: January 1, 2021 - May 31, 2024

*Actual app screen may differ.

・Travel around Japan easily with GO

Use GO to hail the nearest Taxi to get to your destination easily. No more having to stand on the side of the road waiting for one to go by!

- Go easy anywhere on time

- Stress-free Taxi experience

- Best Taxi type selection

With the GO taxi app, you can hail and ride a taxi easily and immediately, and by using GO Pay, you can get out upon arrival straight away without the need to pay inside the taxi.

<GO Service Features>

Get a taxi straightaway by hailing the one closest to your location.

The taxi's estimated arrival time will be displayed, meaning you can use your waiting time efficiently.

By using GO Pay, you can ride without the use of cash and complete your payment using the app while still in the taxi.

Use AI予約 (AI reservation) to specify a date and time for the taxi to pick you up.

You can choose the type of taxi you with to use.

*Messaging and Calling features available to contact the driver directly.

・From hail to payment in one app using GO

Do everything from hailing a Taxi, confirming your ride, and paying your fare in the GO app, and go easy anywhere in Japan.

・GO PREMIUM: Request a large luxury van

With the GO app, you can easily request a professional, highly-rated driver to pick you up in a luxury van with seating for up to six. This service is currently available in the following 15 wards of Tokyo: Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku, Bunkyo, Taito, Sumida, Koto, Shinagawa, Meguro, Ota, Setagaya, Shibuya, Nakano, and Toshima wards

*Not available in portions of Taito, Sumida, Koto, Shinagawa, Ota, Setagaya, Nakano, and Toshima wards

Visit the webpage below for details.

・Reservation Service: Reserve a Taxi for a specific date and time

Our Reservation Service automatically hails a Taxi for you on the date and time you specify. Reservations can be made from 15 minutes to 7 days in advance.

A service charge will apply in addition to the Taxi fare at the time of payment.

*While limited to certain urban areas, new areas are being added all the time

・Airport Flat-rate

Get flat-rate fares from a location you specify, such as your home, hotel, a train station, or travel destination to select airports. With GO, there is no need to make reservations in advance: you can take advantage of this flat-rate even if you want to hail a Taxi right away.

Currently available for boarding from Tokyo - Haneda/Narita Airport (Tokyo - Narita is only a transfer to the airport).

・Pay your fare cashlessly with GO Pay while you ride

Pay for your fare automatically by adding your credit card in the app and choosing GO Pay in the Taxi. When you arrive at your destination just get out.

No more time wasted dealing with change or credit cards.

*Not available in all Taxis

・Advance Destination Setting

You can set the destination before your ride. This eliminates having to explain your destination to the driver, so there is no need to worry if you cannot communicate in Japanese.

・Confirmation Number

Give this number to the driver when your Taxi arrives, then get in. You no longer have to worry about finding your Taxi and being sure you are getting in the right one.

・Tipping Feature

Show your appreciation to your driver by giving them a tip. You can give tips at the end of the ride from the rating screen or from "Usage History / Receipt" in the GO app's menu.

*Tips are optional

[Notes for using GO]

- If there are no available cars nearby, we may not be able to dispatch a car.

- In addition to fare and pickup fee, GO App charge will apply in some areas.

- Credit cards accepted: Visa/Mastercard/JCB/American Express/Diners Club

- ETA is based on current conditions and this may change depending on traffic and other factors.

- The request may be canceled due to traffic or other reasons.

- GPS and push notification permission must be turned on when using this service.