The short answer: taxis in Japan can feel pricey for everyday sightseeing, but they’re fantastic for short hops, late nights, bad weather, big luggage, or when you’re splitting the fare with friends. What many travelers don’t realize is that the “starting price” (base fare) isn’t the same everywhere—and even the distance covered by that initial fare can change by region.
Below is a clear look at base fare, included distance, and late-night rules in six major cities, verified from official associations and transport-authority notices.
Key fares in major cities
- Tokyo: Standard taxis start at ¥500 for the first 1.096 km. Late-night/early-morning service typically adds a 20% surcharge from 22:00–5:00. (東京のタクシー［一般社団法人 東京ハイヤー・タクシー協会］)
- Osaka: The common base fare is ¥600 for the first 1.3 km, with a 20% late-night surcharge (22:00–5:00). (一般社団法人大阪タクシー協会)
- Kyoto: A recent official notice indicates a base fare of ¥500 with an initial distance around 0.9 km for standard cars in the Kyoto city area (with revised fare structures announced and implemented in 2025).
- Sapporo: The Hokkaido transport authority announced a unified Sapporo–Otaru structure of ¥600 for the first 1.05 km. The city’s official travel info notes that a late-night surcharge applies 22:00–5:00.
- Fukuoka: The Fukuoka City Taxi Association lists an initial fare of ¥670 for up to 1,064 m with late-night rules applying 22:00–5:00 (commonly a 20% increase). (Taxi Fukcty)
- Nagoya: The Nagoya Taxi Association lists a base fare of ¥500 for up to 0.91 km, with a 20% late-night surcharge (22:00–5:00). (meitakyo.com)
If you want to sanity-check a trip cost before you ride, you can also use a fare estimator like this Japan taxi fare calculator alongside official numbers. It’s handy for quick planning without replacing the actual published fare rules.
Quick comparison table
| City | Base fare | Distance included | Late-night surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | ¥500 (東京のタクシー［一般社団法人 東京ハイヤー・タクシー協会］) | 1.096 km (東京のタクシー［一般社団法人 東京ハイヤー・タクシー協会］) | +20% (22:00–5:00) (東京のタクシー［一般社団法人 東京ハイヤー・タクシー協会］) |
| Osaka | ¥600 (一般社団法人大阪タクシー協会) | 1.3 km (一般社団法人大阪タクシー協会) | +20% (22:00–5:00) (一般社団法人大阪タクシー協会) |
| Kyoto | ¥500 | ~0.9 km | Late-night rules apply (commonly 22:00–5:00) |
| Sapporo | ¥600 | 1.05 km | Late-night surcharge applies (22:00–5:00) (ようこそさっぽろ) |
| Fukuoka | ¥670 (Taxi Fukcty) | 1,064 m (Taxi Fukcty) | Late-night rules apply (22:00–5:00) (Taxi Fukcty) |
| Nagoya | ¥500 (meitakyo.com) | 0.91 km (meitakyo.com) | +20% (22:00–5:00) (meitakyo.com) |
So… is taxi expensive?
In practice, yes for longer urban rides, especially solo. A rough traveler rule of thumb:
- Great value: short trips of 1–3 km, especially with luggage or 2–4 people splitting.
- Feels expensive: commuting-like distances, long cross-city rides, or airport runs without fixed-rate deals.
- Most expensive times: late night (and in some regions, seasonal surcharges may exist).
Smart alternatives (without losing convenience)
- Subways/JR/Private rail: Best for predictable, longer hops in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
- Buses: Often cheaper and surprisingly comprehensive in Kyoto and Sapporo.
- Walking + one short taxi: A great hybrid strategy in dense sightseeing zones.
- Taxi apps: Useful for finding a ride quickly and reducing language friction; pricing still follows the approved local fare frameworks.
Why fares differ across Japan
Japan’s taxi pricing is regionally authorized. Local fare ranges are set under systems like “auto-authorization” and regulated fare bands, because evaluating every company individually would be impractical. This means each region can adopt different base distances and prices within approved frameworks. (一般社団法人 北海道ハイヤー協会)
Recent official fare revision notices also point to rising operating costs and the need to improve driver labor conditions as key reasons behind adjustments in specific regions (Kyoto and Hokkaido examples).
In short: local cost structures, supply constraints, and regulatory zones shape what you pay when the meter starts.
Last Updated: 2025-12-07
Disclaimer: Actual fares vary by route, traffic, waiting time, vehicle type, and taxi company, even within the same city.
