If you live in Japan without a car, you may have been stuck and get lost somewhere before. But nowadays, almost every place in Japan has a very convenient public transport system (although public transport in Tokyo might be a bit complicated) . Having said that, the local train and bus system will help you move around easily. But what if you get lost mid night (say after a nomikai), or you have ton of luggage to carry, taxi in that case might be the best choice for you to get home.

Due to the well-developed public transport system, the amount of taxis in Japan is not high. Although most city terminals and some central areas as well as other cities around the world always have cabs waiting for guests whenever they need it. But if you want to be picked up at home, or from another location, you will need to call the taxi.

How to grab a taxi?

There are many ways, but here are four main ways:

1. The easiest way is to get to the nearest station, look for a taxi number there. Save to your mobile phone for later use.
2. Search for “タ ク シ ー” (takushii) plus city name online. The result will display a place you can call.
3. Search a site like taxitaxi.jp or taxisite.com. The site is in Japanese, however it is quite easy to use. Click on the county you are in. On the page that opens, click on the city. A list of taxi companies will appear – you can freely choose any taxi company.
4. Also, if you are using a service somewhere like a restaurant, hotel or hospital, …. You can ask the staff to call you a taxi. Please tell them “takushii o yonde kudasai” (タ ク シ ー を よ ん で く だ さ い). You will be supported as enthusiastically as possible.
5. If you are on the street and want to hop on a taxi, try to look for a taxi that has this tax on their digital board 空車 and wave your hand (one hand is enough). If you are lucky enough they will stop by your place.
6. Sometimes there are taxi that has this text 支払 on their digital board (meaning current guests on the taxi is paying), just wait outside until the current guests leave and ask the driver if you can hop in (乗ってもいいですか？｜ のってもいいですか？）

How to book a taxi on the phone

Now you have the taxi number, call and ask them in Japanese:

お 迎 え に 来 て も らいますか?

お む か え に き てもらいますか?

Omukae ni kite moraemasu ka?

Can you pick me up?

If they ask for your address:

住所 は ど こ で す か?

じ ゅ う し ょ は ど こ で す か か?

Juusho wa doko desu ka?

… then tell them the place that you want them to pick you up.

Then, they will tell you that they got the book and it might be something like:

今 か ら お 迎 え に 来 ま す?

いまからむかえにきます?

Ima kara omukae ni kimasu (We are on the way to pick you up).

They might also tell you how long you have to wait until the taxi arrive.

And that is that.

How to reach the final destination?

When you get in the taxi, you will be asked “ど ち ら へ?” (Dochira e?) or “ど ち ら へ い き ま す か?” (Dochira e ikimasu ka?). Means where do you want to go.

Now you tell them the name of the place and add “お ね が い し ま す” (onegaishimasu) to sounds polite.

If the place you want to go is not a famous place, it is better if you choose somewhere that is famouse near your destination (like combini, store, etc…).

“Vui lòng rẽ phải ở đây”

ここで右に曲がって下し。

ここでみぎにまがってください。

Koko de migi ni magatte kudasai.

“Vui lòng rẽ trái ở đây”

ここで左に曲がってくさい。

ここでひだりにまがってください。

Koko de hidari ni magatte kudasai.

“Vui lòng đi thẳng”

真っすぐ行ってください。

まっすぐいってください。

Massugu itte kudasai.

“Kế bên…”

_______の隣にあります。

_______のとなりにあります。

_______no tonari ni arimasu.

Ví dụ:

学校の隣にあります。

学校のとなりにあります。

Gakkou no tonari ni arimasu.

Next to the school.

“It is near to_____”

_______の近くにあります。

_______のちかくにあります。

_______no chikaku ni arimasu.

“This is the place”.

ここでいいです

Koko de ii desu.

Hope this guide helps you know how to grab a taxi when needed, even though the price might be a bit costly ;__;