Japan Taxi Tips: 3 Things to Know Before You Ride
In Japan, the back door opens and closes automatically, so let the driver handle it, and there is no need to tip; just pay the meter. Big-city taxis usually take cards, but carry some cash in small towns.
Video out Oct 11The 20-second video, with Hako. Follow on YouTube to catch it.
The 3 things to know
Let the driver handle the back door
The back door opens and closes by itself. Let the driver handle it, and wait for the door to open rather than pulling it yourself.
No tipping, just the meter
No tipping. Just pay the meter. Many taxis add a night surcharge of about 20%, usually from 22:00 to 05:00, though hours vary by city.
Cards in cities, cash in small towns
Big-city taxis usually take cards, but carry some cash in small towns.
Quick answers
Do you tip taxi drivers in Japan?
No. Tipping isn't customary for taxis, and a tip may be politely refused or cause confusion, so just pay the metered fare.
Do Japanese taxi doors close automatically?
Yes. The driver opens and closes the rear-left door with a lever, so wait for it to open and don't pull or slam it.
Can I pay for a taxi with a card?
In cities, credit cards and IC cards are usually accepted, but carry some cash for rural areas.
Read the video transcript
Taking a taxi in Japan? Three tips.
One. The back door opens and closes by itself. Let the driver handle it.
Two. No tipping. Just pay the meter.
Three. Big-city taxis usually take cards, but carry some cash in small towns.
Sit back and relax.
Sources & how we checked
The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:
- Updated
- Video
- 20 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
- Good to know
- Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.
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