It may have been many years since you hailed a cab in your own country, but this has remained a common practice in Japan. Whereas this is fine when you’re in a big city, it may be difficult (if not impossible) to find a taxi in a suburban or rural area. Plus, even if you do find a cab, you may struggle to communicate with the driver if your Japanese is limited.
The good news is you no longer need to rely on public transportation and hoping you don’t get lost as several ride-sharing apps operate in Japan. Since the services may be different to what you use in your home country, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your options before you need a ride.
GO
One of the most popular ride-sharing apps in Japan is GO, which operates in 44 of the 47 prefectures. The interface is available in both Japanese and English. To set up an account, you’ll need to give your phone number (which can be an overseas number). Payment is by credit card, cash, or your d POINT account. One of the most useful features of the app is the capability to book a ride anywhere from 15 minutes to seven days in advance.
Download: App Store, Google Play
Uber
If you’d prefer to use a service you’re already comfortable with, you may be happy to hear that Uber operates in Japan (although only authorized taxis are able to register with the app). It’s available in many major cities with all the same features as you’re used to.
Download: App Store, Google Play
Grab
If you’ve spent time in Southeast Asia, you may have used Grab. Although it’s limited to just five cities in Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Okinawa, and Sapporo), the advantage is you can also use it as a food delivery and grocery app. To pay for rides and deliveries, you’ll need to set up your GrabPay Wallet and add GrabPay Credits.
Download: App Store, Google Play
DiDi
Another app you may already be familiar with is DiDi, especially if you’ve traveled in China (where the app is from) or Latin America (where it’s popular). If you haven’t already used it, though, you should search for a discount code before your first ride. The service is available in several places in Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kyushu. To sign up, you’ll need to provide your phone number, email address, and payment details, which can be a credit card, a debit card, or PayPal.
Download: App Store, Google Play
Fulcul
If you’d prefer to hail cabs without needing to register an account with a ride-sharing app, an option is Fulcul. Simply open the app and shake your phone to alert taxis in the area that you’re looking for a ride. You may find it’s cheaper than other options because there are no pickup fees. Currently, the app is available in 23 wards in Tokyo and several other cities nearby.
Download: App Store, Google Play
It’s worth downloading a couple ride-sharing apps rather than relying on just one. This will be helpful if you travel to somewhere your regular app doesn’t operate as well as for comparing prices to get the best deal.
Comyu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
