How To Get a Taxi in Japan

Here's How:

1. From train stations or airports, go to the taxi stand and line up.
2. In the street, look for a taxi which has a red light in the front window. It indicates the taxi is empty. (If the light is green, the taxi has passengers.)
3. When you see an empty taxi, raise your hand and call it.
4. The backdoor opens and closes automatically, so stand back and wait until it opens.
5. Get in the taxi and tell the driver your destination or show them the Japanese written address of your destination.
6. Before you get out of the taxi, pay the charge indicated on the meter. No tip is necessary.
7. Wait until the door opens and get out of the taxi.

Tips:

1. Most of drivers don't speak English, so it is highly recommended that you have the address of your destination written in Japanese or have a map.
2. Taxis are pretty expensive in Japan (the average fee starts from $6 for the first 1.25 miles), especially between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., when the meter adds extra charges.
3. When you call a taxi from a restaurant or other places, you are required to pay extra charges.