Japan Taxi
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43)
Sat 2007/12/08 23:32
When getting in a Taxi in Japan, you are immediately charged a fare called Hatsunori [初乗り]. The Hatsunori lasts you two kilometers before you start to pay for each kilometer.
The Hatsunori fare remained unchanged for ten years and used to be 660 yen - recently went up to 710 yen to the delight of citizens in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Hachiouji etc (source.)
For those who are going to be out late, expect to pay triple the taxi fare between the hours of 10PM and 5AM (used to be from 11PM to 5AM.)
The Hatsunori fare remained unchanged for ten years and used to be 660 yen - recently went up to 710 yen to the delight of citizens in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Hachiouji etc (source.)
For those who are going to be out late, expect to pay triple the taxi fare between the hours of 10PM and 5AM (used to be from 11PM to 5AM.)
The most expensive taxis I took were in the UK. I remember paying more than twenty quid for a ride from Heathrow terminal 3 to 4.
The worst Taxis I experienced were in Penang Malaysia where I had to ask how much it cost to get to a destination *before* I got on. The reason is that Taxi drivers may suddenly come out with "100 Ringgit please" when you reach your destination - best to be clear how much it will cost to avoid trouble. That was a while ago and not sure what its like now.
The cheapest taxis I've taken were the ones in Shanghai. All taxis run on the meter and are dead cheap.
What is the quality of service and rates like in your region?
BTW, the photos in this post are available for you in the wallpaper pool.
The worst Taxis I experienced were in Penang Malaysia where I had to ask how much it cost to get to a destination *before* I got on. The reason is that Taxi drivers may suddenly come out with "100 Ringgit please" when you reach your destination - best to be clear how much it will cost to avoid trouble. That was a while ago and not sure what its like now.
The cheapest taxis I've taken were the ones in Shanghai. All taxis run on the meter and are dead cheap.
What is the quality of service and rates like in your region?
BTW, the photos in this post are available for you in the wallpaper pool.
Photo of a naked lady taken in Makuhari. I've always wondered what the philosophy is beh...(more)
Fri 12/07 00:49 comments (82)
Wow ... the prices at UK and Japan made our fares cheap XD
(ID #66399) Posted on 2007/12/08 23:22
Haha Danny..seems like you had many bad experience in Penang but I wouldn't blame you on this one cos many taxi drivers in Malaysia are jerks who don't use the meter and overcharge the fare especially foreigners. However I met one old taxi driver who only charge RM1 as he said he's going on the same direction.
(ID #66400) Posted on 2007/12/08 23:29
Student
When I was at Singapore it wuz cheap (running on a meter) Then I got back to Canada... PAYMENT(can't remember) + TAX lol
(ID #66402) Posted on 2007/12/09 00:15
Yeah, taxi's in London are eye popping expensive. I think I paid £22 going home from a party when there was a train strike (Mile End to Chiswick). But the drivers are great people, always up for a great conversation, amazing how they know the city too.
(ID #66403) Posted on 2007/12/09 00:29
Taxis here are for drunk people, theres actually a program where you dont have to pay the company until the next day, and they will drop you off at your car the next day also, if you are too drunk to drive. Other than that, I barely see taxis except around the airport. Which is always fun, because sometimes limos will only charge you $10-$15 to take you all the way home, since they are usually freelance. We got back from Italy and took a limo home, It was about 24 miles and the guy charged us $20. He said he was going that way anyway. Whoo hoo!
(ID #66404) Posted on 2007/12/09 00:43
Taxis here are moderately priced, and I don't usually take one unless I'm out drinking and there's no designated driver. However, I really don't like the taxi drivers here as they often engage in what I like to call aggressive driving, often tailing the car right in front of them or just driving recklessly. Sometimes they don't even stop at the stop signs or give right of way to pedestrians, I often wonder how they passed their G tests.
(ID #66405) Posted on 2007/12/09 00:47
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Taxi drivers here aren't that bad and they don't charge much... When you get on the taxi it starts with S$2.40 and rises by the meter... Reckless driving ain't welcome here in Singapore... If you are ever caught by the traffic police when you're drunk then say sayonara to your driving license and your money...
(ID #66406) Posted on 2007/12/09 00:55
In Jakarta, the first 1 km will be charge Rp.5.000,- (appx 50 USD cents), then Rp.2.500/km. Becareful when choosing Taxi in Jakarta. Rule of thumbs is to choose Taxi from Blue Bird Group. You can see the big sticker @ the front of the Taxi. Becareful that most of the taxi here is in blue color as they wanted to deceived passangers. If you're unlucky , you might get rob, and extorted.
(ID #66407) Posted on 2007/12/09 01:11
Ah - japan taxis. Such a great experience... I came out of a club in shibuya drunk, sweaty and knackered from dancing at 4:30 am, and wandering around shibuya looking for a cab, going in a sunkus store for some nourishing pocari sweat, and seeing the famous shibuya crossing totally EMPTY and with most of its famous neon turned off - a truly surreal and great experience! It was also excellent being in a cab with all its seat doilies, white gloves and sat nav bombing down the deserted expressway with no traffic whatsoever and tokyo tower in the distance. All this, combined with the effects of the drink, the overall speed and the overpasses made me feel like i was living some kind of real life 'ridge racer'. Aaaahh - memories! Anyhoo - UK cabs are ok, but the drivers more often than not can barely speak/ understand english, and they wont think twice about taking advantage of a drunk person by bumping up the price upon dropoff compared to their original price that enticed you in the cab in the first place.
(ID #66408) Posted on 2007/12/09 01:15
I've seen many taxis in Downtown San Diego (Where I live) and I have never paid for one, neither have I payed attention how much they will charge you. Danny, you should come to San Diego CA next year for the famous Comic Con, which is who knows when, with your Stormtrooper costume and all.
(ID #66409) Posted on 2007/12/09 01:17
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
in singapore the system is pretty much the same as japan. one pays S$2.50 (US1.7) when one get on the cab. after the first km, one will be charged S$0.10 (US0.07) for every 210m up to 10km. after which it will be another S$0.10 (US0.07) for every 175m up to 10km. Every 25s of waiting or less cost another S$0.10 (US0.07). there is also the S$2 (US1.4)Peak Period Surcharge, S$1 (US0.7) city area surchange, road tax charge and late night surcharge (see below) 11.30pm to 11.44pm : 10% of metered taxi fare 11.45pm to 11.59pm : 20% of metered taxi fare 12 midnight to 12.59am : 35% of metered taxi fare 1.00am to 6.00am : 50% of metered taxi fare
(ID #66410) Posted on 2007/12/09 01:51
Japanese taxis are nice, though the minimum fare is kinda expensive. But proportionally, I think brazilian taxis are even worse. Though we don't have fares that are 3 times expensiver... late hour taxis and on weekends they charge 2 times the price. But we also have to be on the lookout for "special" taxis, and stuff like that. Specially on places where there is high concentration of tourists. Taxists overcharge because they know tourists don't really know how much taxis should cost. Anyways, I liked the taxi services on Japan. They all have GPS, heaters, and most taxists were very nice to us (we asked lots of questions). We took a cab to Fuji-san. The guy stopped at the main stops, explained some stuff, and took pics of us. Also, the option of asking for a large van to carry all of us (we were in 8 people there) was great! In brazil you usually don't have that option...
(ID #66411) Posted on 2007/12/09 01:52
yeah. taxis in Malaysia are pretty much crap. It's the same almost everywhere in the country.
(ID #66412) Posted on 2007/12/09 02:26
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Yeah danny I had the same experience with Taxi in Malaysia. They charge me 80 ringgit to travel to KLIA from Coronade Hotel... and they don't use meter. And I do have to mention that actually, the hotel charged me 75 ringgit, but the taxi driver said, give me 80 ringgit please, that guy from the hotel takes away all that 75 ringgit.. o.O
(ID #66414) Posted on 2007/12/09 02:43
I'm pretty pleased with the taxi drivers here but not so with the taxi companies... They give real dumb reasons for price hikes..like... "our fares are too cheap compared to other countries"
(ID #66416) Posted on 2007/12/09 03:16
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
Took taxi a few times when my husband and I were in japan, one driver actually got a bit lost (oops) and another almost (just almost) got into an accident LOL but they were polite and nice :3
(ID #66417) Posted on 2007/12/09 03:47
How much do you pay for each kilometer after the initial two? $6 for two seems about what we have here. Maybe it's slightly cheaper, but not by much.
(ID #66418) Posted on 2007/12/09 04:11
Overpaid Computer Nerd
Taxis in Japan might not be cheap, but they are very clean and the drivers are much safer than I've seen in other cities I've been in around the world.
(ID #66420) Posted on 2007/12/09 04:52
some taxi here have to ask their prize too, most of them are blood suckers
(ID #66421) Posted on 2007/12/09 04:57
Just a note about taxis in Japan: The doors open and close automatically. The drivers get angry when you go manual on them ;)... Danny, I have been enjoying the site for about a month now and finally joined. I like the lifestyle articles, and the otaku subjects don't hurt. Thanks for the site and keep up the good work.
(ID #66422) Posted on 2007/12/09 05:21
trying to stay relevant
Taxis in the UK are indeed expensive, but there is a difference between ordinary taxis and private hire vehicles - a taxi, for example a black cab, you can hail in the street, but a private hire vehicle you have to pre-book. I once paid about 69 UK pounds for a thirty mile journey... (139 USD, about 15,500 JP yen)...
(ID #66423) Posted on 2007/12/09 06:34
Taxi drivers are scum! And expensive, too.
(ID #66427) Posted on 2007/12/09 08:01
IT engineer
oh yes,.. 710yen the moment you board, experience it on Monday when i arrive in Tokyo, was raining when i reach shinjuku. Forced to take taxi T_T
(ID #66428) Posted on 2007/12/09 08:23
Taxi drivers in Amsterdam are also known for taking the longest route when they have tourists (or when it's obvious that you're not familiar with the city) in their taxi, so I think you won't have to be surprised when they suddenly say "Well, that's 50 Euro then".
(ID #66429) Posted on 2007/12/09 08:38
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
i only take taxis for work related purposes as i can claim the money back through my company. most of the time i'll take the train or the bus unless it's very urgent or i'm running late.
(ID #66430) Posted on 2007/12/09 10:57
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Why I am not surprise of your experience when taking taxi in Malaysia. Unfortunately this is prevalent in all over Malaysia. That's why I hardly ever take the taxi here ^^.
(ID #66433) Posted on 2007/12/09 13:26
Something to do with cars
I agree... the taxi in Malaysia is a bit off. i don't know about the ones in other countries, but do be careful if you're planning to use one. here's some tips: 1. ensure that they use the meter - in Malaysia it has become a regulation. if they say it's broken; avoid at all cost 2. well maintained - this is for your safety, there are cases that they will attack you when they say that they need to pull over for maintenance or something 3. take a bus - you're better off using the bus or other transportation if it's available~~~ 4. get a car - the best tip and solves all your problems (ahahaha~~~)
(ID #66436) Posted on 2007/12/09 14:11
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42)
The Hatsunori fare is 710 now? wow that must have been a recent change, it was 660 last month right? about taxi in other countries, I had the same experience in Malaysia, and I went there around october this year, I guess they still do that there. about taxis in Shanghai, I heard that one shouldn't take the red ones: http://www.thebroadabroad.com/2007/07/red-taxi-terror-or-why-i-now-take.html btw Danny, your forgot to mention the "magical japanese taxi door": Doors on Japanese taxis would always somehow magically close on their own. ^^ I made a mistake of slamming the door once, I could tell the taxi driver was miffed by my action. though he was polite enough to accept my apology. ^^;
(ID #66437) Posted on 2007/12/09 14:34
LOL i don't wanna comment on malaysia's taxis since it has become worldwidely known for bad service. Even Jakarta has better taxis than us! (The Bluebird ones...not the others that drive u to a dark alley and rob u!) I like taxis in Japan. They have GPS, automated rear doors that open and close for you....and courteous drivers. ;)
(ID #66441) Posted on 2007/12/09 16:22
I don't take the taxi here, mostly tourists do that. I have a car to get to destinations so taxi's aren't something I really take. Everyone either has a car or takes the bus to get where they need to go. I did take a taxi in Hong Kong, those guys are skilled lol. I freaked out a bit because of the way they drove but got used to it after the second time. The taxi in Hong Kong was cheap, got pretty far for only 5 USD, I have forgotten what that was ing HKD.
(ID #66445) Posted on 2007/12/09 19:48
i don't take taxis too expensive besides i'm always taking the bus
(ID #66446) Posted on 2007/12/09 21:28
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
all taxi here are on meter and very fast. I don't know about Washington DC though. I think there is some other weird system there which I have no idea about. But so far all taxis I took were not cheap but a normal price.
(ID #66450) Posted on 2007/12/09 23:06
Oh my, indeed taxis in Japan are rip-offs ! I remember taking a cab from Shibuya to our hotel in Shinjuku at 05.00 AM (Ok we went back from a night going out so we didn't had any alternative). If im not mistaken it was 5.000 yen in total. Still a lot of money even though it was night price. In my country I personally still think it's expensive to take a taxi. Sometimes I don't trust the driver. Many immigrants here work as a taxi driver and sometimes they choose a longer path so you get to pay more.
(ID #66464) Posted on 2007/12/10 00:44
wow thats quite cheap! ours start at a low price and it uses the meter. well if you call a taxi or so, there would be a surcharge. that makes taking the taxi like 5 times of the normal price when u enter one =X
(ID #66502) Posted on 2007/12/10 08:22
anime/cosplay events organizer
the taxi's here are crap >.> there are some taxi drivers here asks for what we call a "contract". when a customer hails a taxi, before the taxi driver lets the customer ride the taxi, the driver asks a large fixed amount even if you'll only be traveling only at a short distance... there are also some taxi drivers who choose the passenger that they want to drive for. they choose who looks like has money and there are some who choose passengers depending on their destination... there are also some taxi drivers who plays dirty. they rig their meters where they can control the increase of the fare with just a flick of a secret switch w/o the passenger knowing... despite these very rude, dishonest and abusive taxi drivers, there are some who are polite, honest and very helpful and can be compared probably to the japanese taxi drivers ^^
(ID #66516) Posted on 2007/12/10 13:41
the 2nd pic... is that the place where the car chase scene in F&F3 tokyo drift took place???
(ID #66523) Posted on 2007/12/10 15:30
QA Engineer, Postgraduate Student
In my native Argentina, taxis are *relatively* cheap, specially thanks to the almost 4-to-1 Peso-to-Euro exchange rate. Hence, a taxi ride through half the city may cost as little as five euro (and Buenos Aires is a huge city). Here in Ireland it's not so good. A regular taxi ride for people who live near-ish the city centre costs 8-10 Euro. Of course, it is artificially spiked if the taxi crosses a county line. This is patently absurd in the case of my parents for example: they live in Bray, a town on the border between County Dublin and County Wicklow. If they take a taxi near their house they stand to pay 10-20 Euro extra. Stupid, really.
(ID #66535) Posted on 2007/12/10 22:14
SAP Consultant
danny choo, im wondering, are you from malaysia ?
(ID #66621) Posted on 2007/12/11 13:09
.NET/Web Developer
Crap! Taxis there in japan are damn expensive. And I thought taxis in singapore were expensive. O_O Taxis in my region are pretty good I would say (of course there are a few exceptions you can't get rid of). A 20minute ride to the airport would only cost you around 200 yen more or less.
(ID #66655) Posted on 2007/12/11 18:48
Totally agree taxis in malaysia are rip off ..sort of avoid them... from experience calling a taxi from their call centre is alot cheaper in malaysia as well as in the u.k .. if you hail them on the spot it would probably cost double ....they are alot more honest as well
(ID #66712) Posted on 2007/12/12 04:10
Director/代表取締役
Triddy, I think its about 100 yen per kilometer. Denko, Welcome! Ant1925, Sure is. Antabax, My parents are.
(ID #66730) Posted on 2007/12/12 07:38
yea, Hong kong has Hatsunori charges too. the taxi drivers drive so fast, and skillful. but its really scary. they weave whenever they can and speed up until they tailgate you.
(ID #68148) Posted on 2007/12/29 20:48
Taxi fares in the UK (especially the pre-booked ones for outside London) are one of the most expensive ones I have ever experienced; you just hear it ticking every 10 seconds or so, and it isn't funny. Train tickets aren't cheap either. *Sigh* German taxis can be great; they have Mercedes-Benz, and they're nearly as good as sitting in some fairly rich people's cars. Hong Kong Taxis are okay, most of them (the red ones) have Hatsunori charge of about 15HKD (200 Yen ish) for 2km, then a charge rate of 19 Yen per km. Reasonable I suppose. But in general I tend to avoid taxis and go for other transports or go on foot.
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