In Japan, planes, trains and automobiles are abundant; however, apps such as Uber and Lift are essentially nonexistent. Hopping in a taxi is a pricy and inevitable occurrence in Japan. This is our how to taxi guide where we help you get to where you need to go without any incidents.

Step 1: Find a cab

While taxis are effortlessly identified, finding one in a moment of desperation can be tricky depending where you are. I’ve personally sprinted around the city like a chicken without its head, frantically trying to hail a cab a handful of times. Here are your four options to snag a cab in a timely fashion.

-Wave one down

-Walk to a taxi stand (usually connected to a train station)

-Use a website or app like JapanTaxi

-Call a taxi company

If you are downtown, seemingly every third car will appear to be a taxi and they will be easy enough to flag down. If you are in the country side plan ahead and make a reservation.

Step 2: Hop in and explain where you want to go.

I’ve been in many a taxi and have yet to meet an English speaking cab driver. Before I was able to speak Japanese my options were to point and grunt my way to my desired location caveman style or simply put on my friendliest face and hand the drive my phone with a pinned destination. I recommend the latter. With my handy smart phone I have never had miscommunication and the driver was always relieved that I came prepared with visual aids.

Step 3: Buckle up

The majority of drivers won’t care if you are strapped in or not but on occasion you will get a driver who will stop at nothing to make sure you are safely secured in the back seat. Play it safe and strap up. It is the law to strap in if in the front seat. If on the freeway it is the law, even if in the backseat.

Step 4: Pay up

The price is visible and won`t require any Japanese. Just hand over some cash and collect your change. A word of caution, if you plan on using a credit card, not all taxis will accept cards and some taxis will require larger fairs to use a card. I recommend using cash and bypassing any potential miscommunications.

P.S. All of the doors in Japan open and close automatically. No need to close the door behind you. Say your thank you and get on your way hands-free.

Safe travels!!!

 

 

-Acquiring geographical wisdom, one wrong turn at a time.