Taxis in Japan: apps, fares and how to ride
Checked against 16 official sources. 7 minute read.
What to know first
You can hail a taxi in Japan, pick one up at a station rank, or call one with an app. GO, Uber, DiDi and S.RIDE all offer English; GO lets you sign up with a non-Japanese mobile number and accepts international credit cards and Apple Pay, and Uber works with your existing account. In Tokyo's 23 wards a standard taxi starts at ¥500 for the first 1.0 km, then adds ¥100 every 232 m, and fares rise 20% between 22:00 and 05:00. Fixed fares from Haneda to most wards run from ¥7,600 to ¥14,000, plus tolls. Doors open and close by themselves, and you don't tip.
Next step: Install GO or Uber before you fly, then finish signing up on arrival with your home SIM switched on so you get the SMS code. For an airport ride, find your ward in the fixed fares below.
- Tokyo meter
- ¥500 for the first 1.0 km, then ¥100 every 232 m20% more from 22:00 to 05:00
- Haneda fixed fares
- ¥7,600–¥14,000 plus tolls¥9,000–¥16,500 late at night
- Narita fixed fares
- ¥23,500–¥38,500 from the airportNo booking needed
Official link. We earn nothing from it.
On this page
Which way to get a taxi
Busy city street or station in the daytime: hail one, or join the station taxi rank. A red light in the windscreen means free, and there are no app fees.
Hotel, restaurant, side street or bad weather: book through GO or Uber. The app shows the car and a confirmation number, and a pickup fee may apply. If you already use Uber at home, use Uber; for the widest coverage, including rural areas, use GO, which says it covers all 47 prefectures.
Haneda arrival to a fixed-fare ward: take a fixed-fare taxi from the terminal rank, no booking needed. Going to Narita from Tokyo: book a fixed-fare taxi with a Tokyo taxi company in advance, because Tokyo's fixed fares to Narita apply only to reserved rides. Late night with a long queue: open several apps; Japan-style rideshare may appear.
Sources for this section: GO Inc.: GO app (English) · Uber: Uber Taxi in Japan · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares from Haneda Airport · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares to and from Narita Airport
Worked examples with real fares
A 5 km daytime ride in central Tokyo: ¥500 covers the first 1.0 km, then 4.0 km ÷ 232 m is about 17–18 steps of ¥100, so about ¥2,200–2,300 in free-flowing traffic. When the car crawls at 10 km/h or less, the meter charges ¥100 per 1 minute 25 seconds instead, so ten minutes stuck at junctions adds about ¥700.
The same ride at 23:30: the 20% late-night surcharge from 22:00 to 05:00 makes it about ¥2,640–2,760.
Haneda to a Shinjuku hotel, four adults: the fixed fare to Shinjuku-ku is ¥9,000, or ¥10,700 between 22:00 and 05:00, plus expressway tolls. That is ¥2,250 each plus a quarter of the tolls.
Narita and Shibuya, both directions: from the airport (Narita Airport Taxi Council, no reservation), Shibuya is zone D, ¥31,500 via Keiyo Road or ¥32,500 via the Bayshore route. To the airport (Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association, reservation required), Shibuya is zone C, ¥28,000, or ¥33,000 at night. The two directions are run by different groups with different zones and prices, so quote the right table.
Sources for this section: Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: rates table · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares from Haneda Airport · Narita International Airport: taxi · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares to and from Narita Airport
Haneda fixed fares (from 20 April 2026)
Fixed fares from Haneda cover 17 of Tokyo's 23 wards plus Musashino and Mitaka. From the airport, board at the terminal taxi rank with no booking and ask for the fixed fare. Going to Haneda, book with a taxi company or dispatch centre at least one hour ahead. Minato, Chuo, Shinagawa, Ota, Meguro and Koto aren't on the list, because the meter applies there.
Daytime fare, with the 22:00–05:00 fare in brackets: Chiyoda ¥7,600 (¥9,000), Shibuya ¥8,500 (¥10,000), Setagaya ¥8,900 (¥10,400), Shinjuku ¥9,000 (¥10,700), Edogawa ¥9,000 (¥10,500), Taito for Asakusa and Ueno ¥9,100 (¥10,800), Sumida ¥9,100 (¥10,700), Bunkyo ¥9,300 (¥10,900), Nakano ¥9,900 (¥11,700).
Further out: Arakawa ¥10,400 (¥12,200), Suginami ¥10,800 (¥12,600), Kita ¥11,000 (¥13,000), Adachi ¥11,100 (¥13,100), Toshima for Ikebukuro ¥11,200 (¥13,200), Katsushika ¥11,300 (¥13,400), Itabashi ¥12,300 (¥14,500), Nerima ¥12,800 (¥15,100), Mitaka ¥13,300 (¥15,700) and Musashino for Kichijoji ¥14,000 (¥16,500).
The association's rules: tolls are paid on top at the end; outside Haneda there is only one pickup and one drop-off point, and multiple stops in principle end the fixed fare; and a substantial route change, an early drop-off or a change of destination on your request switches the ride to the meter.
Sources for this section: Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares from Haneda Airport · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: Haneda fixed-fare chart (PDF, from 20 April 2026) · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: be sure to read before taking a taxi · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed-fare FAQ
Narita fixed fares
From Narita, no booking (via Keiyo Road / via the Bayshore route): zone A, Edogawa, Katsushika and Adachi, ¥23,500 / ¥26,500. Zone B, Koto, Sumida, Daiba in Minato and Higashi-yashio in Shinagawa, ¥28,000 / ¥28,000. Zone C, Chuo, Chiyoda, Taito, Bunkyo and Arakawa, ¥29,000 / ¥31,000.
Zone D, Shinjuku, Toshima, Nakano, Shibuya, Meguro, the rest of Minato and Shinagawa, and Ota, ¥31,500 / ¥32,500. Zone E, Itabashi, Kita and Nerima, ¥34,000 / ¥36,000. Zone F, Setagaya, Suginami, Mitaka and Musashino, ¥35,500 / ¥38,500. Ask the driver for the fixed fare before you get in; a late-night surcharge applies from 22:00 to 05:00, and routes using the Aqua-Line cost extra.
To Narita, booking required (day / 22:00–05:00): zone A, Katsushika, Edogawa, Sumida, Koto, Daiba and Higashiyashio, ¥21,000 / ¥25,000. Zone B, Adachi, Arakawa, Taito, Bunkyo, Chiyoda and Chuo, ¥26,000 / ¥30,000. Zone C, Kita, Toshima, Shinjuku, Shibuya, the rest of Minato and Shinagawa, Meguro and Ota, ¥28,000 / ¥33,000. Zone D, Itabashi, Nerima, Nakano, Suginami, Setagaya, Musashino and Mitaka, ¥30,000 / ¥36,000.
Sources for this section: Narita International Airport: taxi · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares to and from Narita Airport
The four taxi apps compared
JNTO lists S.RIDE, Uber, DiDi and GO as apps with English once downloaded. They call ordinary licensed taxis, and you pay the meter or a fixed fare plus any pickup fee the taxi company sets.
GO: a non-Japanese number works, verified by SMS code with location switched on, though some countries can't register from outside Japan. It takes Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex and Diners, international cards and Apple Pay, and covers all 47 prefectures. Pickup fees are set by each company, there is a ¥100 GO App charge in some areas, and advance bookings carry a reservation charge.
Two GO rules matter for visitors: accounts registered since June 2025 with a non-Japanese number can't choose in-car payment, so you pay in the app with GO Pay, and some coupons are only for Japanese numbers.
Uber: your existing account and payment method; Uber Taxi runs in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Okinawa and Chiba. DiDi: card, debit card or PayPay in the app, or pay in the car, in areas listed in the app. S.RIDE: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex and Diners in Greater Tokyo (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba) and in Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Hamamatsu, Hiroshima and Kumamoto; S.RIDE says Uber users can book its partner taxis from May 2026, starting in Yokohama and then Tokyo.
If your eSIM is data-only, you won't receive SMS codes on it, so keep your home SIM active for sign-up or use an eSIM with a phone number.
Sources for this section: JNTO: taxis · GO Inc.: GO app (English) · GO support centre · Uber: Uber Taxi in Japan · DiDi Mobility Japan: rider FAQ (Japanese) · S.RIDE (English) · S.RIDE press release: Uber partnership (23 April 2026, Japanese)
Hailing, doors and paying
JNTO says a red sign in the windscreen means the taxi can pick you up, and green means it's occupied; the red sign usually reads 空車 (vacant). Raise a hand at the kerb. Doors open and close automatically: the driver opens the rear left door, so step back from it, get in, and leave it alone when you get out.
Show the address or hotel name in Japanese on your phone, or a map pin. Boot space in standard saloons is small, and two large suitcases plus passengers can be too much, so with heavy bags book a larger car in the app or send bags ahead.
JNTO says credit cards are generally accepted in big-city taxis, but cash might be your only option in the countryside, so look for card stickers on the window. Tolls are paid by the passenger on top of the fare, and JNTO says drivers do not expect or accept tips.
Sources for this section: JNTO: taxis
Key facts, checked 8 October 2026
Tokyo 23 wards, Musashino and Mitaka from 20 April 2026: ¥500 for the first 1.0 km, ¥100 per 232 m, ¥100 per 1 minute 25 seconds at 10 km/h or less, and 20% more from 22:00 to 05:00.
Haneda fixed fares: ¥7,600–¥14,000, or ¥9,000–¥16,500 late at night, plus tolls; no booking from the terminal rank.
Narita fixed fares: ¥23,500–¥38,500 from the airport with no booking; ¥21,000–¥30,000 to the airport, or ¥25,000–¥36,000 late at night, booking required.
Japan-style rideshare: created in March 2024 and managed by taxi companies, with fixed fares and cashless payment in the apps.
Sources for this section: Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: rates table · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares from Haneda Airport · Narita International Airport: taxi · Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares to and from Narita Airport · MLIT Chubu District Transport Bureau: private car utilisation scheme (Japanese)
Questions about this guide
Can I use Uber in Japan?
Yes. Your home Uber account works, and in Japan it books licensed taxis (Uber Taxi) in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Okinawa and Chiba. Where Japan-style rideshare runs, Uber can also offer those rides at a fixed price, cashless only.
How much is a taxi from Haneda to Shinjuku?
¥9,000 plus expressway tolls, as a fixed fare from the Haneda terminal rank, or ¥10,700 plus tolls between 22:00 and 05:00. No booking is needed from the airport. Going back to Haneda at the fixed fare, book with a taxi company at least one hour ahead.
Is there a late-night surcharge on Tokyo taxis?
Yes, 20% between 22:00 and 05:00, on Tokyo's meter and on the Haneda fixed fares. Narita's fixed fares also have a late-night rate in the same hours: Tokyo's to-Narita table gives ¥33,000 instead of ¥28,000 for zone C, for example.
I missed the last train. Will I find a taxi in Japan?
Usually yes in central Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, but queues at major stations can be long after midnight. Open GO and Uber together and accept whichever confirms first, and compare the fare with a hotel near the station before you commit to a long ride.
Official pages for this guide
The rules in this guide come from the official pages below. Japan, Booked. does not book or submit requests on your behalf.
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: rates table
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares from Haneda Airport
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: Haneda fixed-fare chart (PDF, from 20 April 2026)
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: be sure to read before taking a taxi
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed-fare FAQ
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares to and from Narita Airport
- Narita International Airport: taxi
- MLIT Chubu District Transport Bureau: private car utilisation scheme (Japanese)
- JNTO: taxis
- GO Inc.: GO app (English)
- GO support centre
- Uber: Uber Taxi in Japan
- Uber Japan newsroom: rideshare launch (2 April 2024, Japanese)
- DiDi Mobility Japan: rider FAQ (Japanese)
- S.RIDE (English)
- S.RIDE press release: Uber partnership (23 April 2026, Japanese)
Read next
- Getting to your hotel after a late airport arrivalPlan evening connections, hotel arrival times, and a reliable backup plan in case your flight is delayed.
- Choosing a Japan eSIM with a phone numberCompare call, text, and data options for Japan, and see whether your current phone plan already covers what you need.
- Cash or card in Japan: plan your everyday paymentsBuild a practical mix of cash, cards and transport payments for shopping, food and getting around.
- Travel lighter in JapanCompare luggage delivery against station lockers.
Sources and how this guide was checked
Published · Based on official sources · no affiliate links
Official sources
These official sources explain the rules and conditions used in this guide. Live availability and your own booking, admission or service outcome still need to be confirmed for your trip.
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: rates table
What this confirms: Gives the initial fare, distance and time charges and the late-night surcharge for the Tokyo 23 wards, Musashino and Mitaka.
Last checked - Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares from Haneda Airport
What this confirms: Explains that fixed fares from the Haneda terminal rank need no booking and that tolls are extra.
Last checked - Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: Haneda fixed-fare chart (PDF, from 20 April 2026)
What this confirms: Lists the day and late-night fixed fare for each ward and city.
Last checked - Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: be sure to read before taking a taxi
What this confirms: Sets the rules on reservations, stops, tolls and route changes.
Last checked - Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed-fare FAQ
What this confirms: Says rides to Haneda must be booked at least one hour ahead.
Last checked - Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares to and from Narita Airport
What this confirms: Gives the zone fares to Narita and says advance reservations are required.
Last checked - Narita International Airport: taxi
What this confirms: Gives the zone fares from Narita by route, and says no booking is needed.
Last checked - JNTO: taxis
What this confirms: Lists the English-language taxi apps and explains signs, doors, payment and tipping.
Last checked - GO Inc.: GO app (English)
What this confirms: Says GO covers all 47 prefectures and accepts international cards and Apple Pay.
Last checked - GO support centre
What this confirms: Explains pickup fees, the GO App charge, registration with a foreign number, payment and coupons.
Last checked - Uber: Uber Taxi in Japan
What this confirms: Lists the city areas where Uber Taxi runs.
Last checked - DiDi Mobility Japan: rider FAQ (Japanese)
What this confirms: Explains payment options and pickup and reservation fees.
Last checked - S.RIDE (English)
What this confirms: Gives the service areas and accepted cards.
Last checked - S.RIDE press release: Uber partnership (23 April 2026, Japanese)
What this confirms: Announces Uber bookings of S.RIDE partner taxis from May 2026.
Last checked
About this guide
Which taxi apps work with foreign phones and cards, Tokyo meter fares, the 20% night surcharge, Haneda and Narita fixed fares, and how to ride.
Checked against the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association, Narita Airport, the transport ministry, JNTO and app pages on 8 October 2026, with fares and fixed-fare charts re-checked on 9 October 2026. Tolls are extra in every fare. Japan, Booked. is independent and this page has no affiliate links.
How we checked this
Sources and limits of this guide
These dated notes clarify what is confirmed by official sources—and what you still need to verify yourself.
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Question | What we found | Where it comes from | What this means for your trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much is a Tokyo taxi? | ¥500 for the first 1.0 km, then ¥100 per 232 m, with 20% more from 22:00 to 05:00. | Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: rates table | Budget about ¥2,200–2,300 for 5 km in daytime traffic. |
| Do I need to book a Haneda taxi? | Not from the terminal rank; going to Haneda at the fixed fare, book at least one hour ahead. | Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed-fare FAQ | Ask for the fixed fare before you set off. |
| Can I use a taxi app with a foreign number? | GO says yes, by SMS code; Uber uses your existing account. | GO support centre | Sign up with your home SIM switched on. |
| Do I need to book a taxi to Narita? | Yes. Fixed fares to the airport need a booking; from the airport rank, no booking is needed. | Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association: fixed fares to and from Narita Airport | Book the ride to Narita in advance; on arrival, use the taxi rank. |
Based on official sources, linked below.
Guide updates Reviewed
When this guide was checked and what changed
- First published
- Last checked
- Check again by
- What we checked
- Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association rates and fixed-fare pages, Narita International Airport, the MLIT Chubu District Transport Bureau, JNTO, GO, Uber, DiDi and S.RIDE, checked 8 October 2026 and 9 October 2026.
- Latest update
- : Updated S.RIDE's service area from its own area page. Checked on 11 October 2026. The guide was not fully rechecked, so the review date is unchanged.
The date above reflects when these checks were last run. If an individual source was rechecked later, you’ll see that date next to it below. Other copy edits are listed in the update history.
Who edits this guide
One editor looks after this guide
Japan, Booked. is run and edited from Japan. The same editor checks the Japanese and English sources, writes the traveller-facing guidance and keeps the correction history up to date.
What changed
Update history
- Correction
Updated S.RIDE's service area from its own area page. Checked on 11 October 2026. The guide was not fully rechecked, so the review date is unchanged.
- First published
First published: how to get a taxi in Japan, worked fare examples, the Tokyo meter fare from 20 April 2026, Haneda and Narita fixed fares, the four English-language taxi apps, Japan-style rideshare, and how to hail, ride and pay, checked against official pages on 8 October 2026 and 9 October 2026.
If an operator, organiser or product changes in a way that affects the guide, we check it again sooner. Reader reports help us spot what to investigate, and we verify them against current official information before publishing. Read our update and corrections policy. See every guide's review schedule. Suggest an improvement to this guide.