Traveling in Taxi in Japan is a pleasure.
- All taxis are metered [there are non-metered taxis available - generally called black taxis, exorbitantly costly - generally used by big shots]
- Taxi drivers are extremely polite.
- Taxis could be used for any distance. Technically one could hire a taxi and go around Japan.
- Taxis could be boarded in two ways
- Go to a taxi stand wait in a queue [even taxis will wait in queue] when your turn comes you can board the taxi.
- Stand in side of the road and wave hands when an empty taxi passes you by.
- Generally taxi driver does not ask where you have to before you board the taxi. They consider asking that to their customer is rude. Once you board the taxi they will ask. Even if you ask them to drop in another few hundred meters, they will not hesitate or call you names. Where ever you want to get off they will stop and collect the fare.
- Mind you they will return exact change, generally accompanied with a printed receipt.
- In some cases when they have made mistake and take a longer route they will charge less fare than shown in the meter.
- You don't need to bargain the fare, destination.
- You don't need to pay anything extra than what is shown in the meter.
- Taxis all over Tokyo are 100% non-smoking
Although there are few points one have to be very careful:
- Don't ever try to open/close the door by yourselves. It is considered you are insulting the driver.
- Don't ever try to board the taxi from rear right side door.
- Unless there are more than 3 person don't try to board in the front.
Really traveling in Taxi in Japan is a pleasure.
Disclaimer: This is my personal observation in Japan for about 14 years, you may think in other countries taxis much better than Japan. Good to know about that.
Traveling in Taxi in Japan is a pleasure.