Taxis and ride-hailing services in Japan

Learn how Japanese taxis work, including availability signs, automatic doors, metered fares, late-night surcharges, payment options and taxi booking apps, using JNTO guidance.

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  • Before you go
  • Taxis
  • Transport

This page summarises JNTO’s official Taxis in Japan guidance. For routes and fares in Fukuoka, see Overview of public transport in Japan.

Key points

  • Taxis are clean and fares are calculated by meter. JNTO states that drivers will not overcharge.
  • Taxi doors open and close automatically; do not operate them yourself.
  • No tipping is required, and drivers do not accept tips.
  • Cards can be used in cities, but rural taxis may accept cash only.
  • It is best to have your destination written in Japanese, especially if it is not a major tourist attraction or hotel.
  • Night surcharges apply from 22:00 to 05:00, and passengers pay expressway tolls.

How to take a taxi

According to JNTO:

  • A sign at the front of the taxi shows whether it is available. The signs are mostly in Japanese, but colours distinguish them: red indicates an available taxi, and green indicates one carrying passengers.
  • In large cities, waits are usually short. There are fewer taxis in smaller towns, but they can generally be found outside stations.
  • In suburban areas, or after public transport has stopped running, a taxi may be the only transport option.
  • Some drivers in larger cities speak other languages, but it is best to prepare the destination in Japanese to show the driver if needed (see Useful Japanese phrases).

Fares

Item JNTO guidance
Calculation Metered by distance; fixed fares are available on some routes to airports and major attractions
Night surcharge Additional charge from 22:00 to 05:00
Expressways Passenger pays the toll
Example About 2,500 to 3,000 yen for a daytime journey of around 7 km and 25 minutes in Tokyo

The Tokyo fare above is only an example from JNTO. For Fukuoka fares, consult official taxi company information; the official JNTO page does not list them.

Payment

  • Taxis in large cities generally accept cards.
  • Rural taxis may accept only cash, so carry cash.

Taxi booking apps

JNTO lists the following apps, which provide English-language services after downloading: S.RIDE, Uber, DiDi and GO. For availability and charges in Fukuoka, consult each app’s official information; this site has not verified them.

Fixed airport fares

JNTO states that Narita and Haneda airports have fixed-fare taxi services to central Tokyo and Kansai Airport has shared taxis. The official JNTO page does not list Fukuoka Airport taxi information. See Transport from Fukuoka Airport to Hakata or the airport’s official website.

Frequently asked questions

Should you tip taxi drivers?

No. JNTO states that drivers do not expect or accept tips.

Should you close the taxi door yourself?

No. Taxi doors open and close automatically, and pulling them yourself could cause problems.

Further reading

Sources