Guide of Tokyo Taxis

Taxis in Tokyo mainly runs by Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association (THAT), makes union of different taxi companies to operate and manage taxis.

1. Types of Tokyo Taxis

In Tokyo there are a total of 50,000 taxis being operated, including by companies and individuals, and they include standard-size cars, large vehicles and extra-large vehicles.

* Standard-size (4 passengers at most)

* Extra-large (can hold 5 passengers)

* Special-needs and universal design (UD):

Special-needs taxis include special-purpose vehicles patients can board while in a wheelchair or a bed, and general cars also operate as special-needs taxis under contracts with local governments and be used by anyone.

They also offer a "care transportation service" for disabled persons and the elderly who need help when going out.

And for the future accessible society, there is a new type of taxi, the universal design (UD) taxi. Their biggest advantage is a standard-equipment ramp that allows people in wheelchairs to get in and out. They feature innovations that allow customers with back and mobility problems to easily get in and out, and they can hold a lot of baggage. As of March 31, 2013, there are 28 of these taxis in operation. For the drivers of these vehicles, to improve the experience of these customers, educational training is already being carried out by the Tonai Musen Cooperative and various taxi companies, and beginning in December of 2012, the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association began providing "universal driver training". One hundred and three drivers are attending as of April 2013.

* Sightseeing taxis:

These taxis allow customers to enjoy Tokyo sightseeing freely with family or friends, or as a couple, with a small number of people, and so have an experience unavailable with a bus tour or group travel. A driver arranges sightseeing locations to match the wishes and schedules of customers, then escorts them and provides information. Since July 2012, the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association has been carrying out "Tokyo Sightseeing Taxi Driver Certification Training", which covers the basic services and knowledge necessary for a sightseeing taxi driver, and as of April 2013, 468 drivers are attending.

* Radio taxis:

In Tokyo, at present, there are approximately 23,000 taxis for hire that can be ordered using a telephone, operating out of 115 base stations. In recent years, as the transition from analog to digital radio has advanced, the wait time to dispatch a car has been greatly reduced. Find the contact list of radio taxis at here http://www.taxi-tokyo.or.jp/english/call/contact_list.html

Ordering a Taxi with Smart Phone:
Smart phones have been the dominating communication in worldwide especially highly developed cities as Tokyo, it is easy and popular to use an application to quickly order a taxi. Because these applications feature many functions and eliminate the need to tell a driver your address or destination, their use is fast growing.

The English-language TAKKUN App by the Tokyo Taxi Association – available for iPhone and other iOS devices, Android, and MS Windows Phone – makes it easy for anyone with a GPS and internet-enabled smart device to immediately call a taxi to any location in Tokyo.

The TAKKUN App is a group effort by several of Tokyo’s many taxi companies, offering access to 11,000 taxis in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. They are hoping to add even more companies, and more taxis, between now and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

2. Fares of Tokyo Taxis

Tokyo taxi fares start at 730 yen for the first 2 km. For information on additional fares or late night and early morning premiums, see the "Rates table" in the official website here: http://www.taxi-tokyo.or.jp/english/call/pricelist.html

* Taxi faresas of February 1, 2020

Standard-size cars		23 wards of Tokyo, Musashino city and Mitaka city	Tama area
Distance-based fares	Initial fare	Up to 1.052 km - 420 yen	Up to 1.2 km - 500 yen
Distance-based fares	Additional fare	Per additional 233 m - 80 yen	Per additional 257 m - 100 yen
Fare based on time and distance		When traveling at less than 10 km per hour, 80 yen per 1 minute 25 seconds.	When traveling at less than 10 km per hour, 100 yen per 1 minute 35 seconds.
Late night and early morning premium		10 p.m. to 5 a.m. - 20 percent increase	10 p.m. to 5 a.m. - 20 percent increase
Taxi ordering charge		The fare for the journey of the taxi from wherever it is to the place where the passenger is waiting is a fixed fare set by each taxi operator.	The fare for the journey of the taxi from wherever it is to the place where the passenger is waiting is a fixed fare set by each taxi operator.
Long-distance discount		10 percent discount on amounts over 9,000 yen	10 percent discount on amounts over 9,000 yen

☞ The customer will bear freeway usage charges.

When you order a taxi to pick you up at your location (including your home) by phone or Application, In addition to the fares, the aforementioned taxi ordering charge applies on a per car basis. When a taxi is ordered with a time specified, in addition to the fare and taxi ordering charge, a reservation charge (around 400 yen) also applies on a per car basis.

* Sample fare in the case of boarding at Tokyo Station:

* Some Websites to Searching the Taxi Fares of Tokyo and other major cities:

For Tokyo only:
http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Tokyo-Japan&from=Ginza+Station&to=Odaiba

For Tokyo and other Japan Major Cities:
https://www.taxiautofare.com/jp/Default.aspx

For Whole Japan, Calculator of Taxi Fare only in Japanese:
http://www.taxisite.com/far/