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Japan · Taxi & Cars
Uber Japan
Uber in Japan works as a taxi-hailing app, not private ride-sharing - book a licensed taxi through the familiar Uber interface, pay cashlessly, and skip the language barrier.
What it helps with
- Using the Uber app you already haveIn Japan Uber connects you mostly with licensed taxis, using your existing account, language and card.
- Pre-booking a ride to meet your flightSince April 2026 flight-linked advance bookings are available at Haneda, Itami, Chubu Centrair, New Chitose, Naha and Kobe.
- Rides when taxis are scarceIn some areas and times a regulated private-car rideshare option is shown.
About Uber Japan
Because private ride-sharing is largely prohibited under Japan's Road Transportation Act, Uber Japan operates as Uber Taxi: every ride requested through the app dispatches a professional, licensed taxi from a partner fleet rather than an independent driver's own car. The service has expanded rapidly since launch and now covers Tokyo, Osaka and a growing list of other cities.
Key Features
- Licensed Taxis Only: Every trip is fulfilled by a vetted, professional taxi driver, not a private car.
- Cashless Payment: Pay in-app with a card, so there's no need to handle cash or explain your destination in Japanese.
- GPS Pinpointing: Drop a precise map pin for pickup, useful for hard-to-find addresses.
- Growing City Coverage: Available in Tokyo and Osaka, with advance-booking expanding to cities like Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Okinawa.
How to Get Started
- Download the Uber app and register with your phone number (an international number generally works).
- Set your pickup location precisely on the map and enter your destination.
- Request Uber Taxi (or Uber Premium for a higher-end vehicle) and wait for a licensed taxi to arrive.
- Pay automatically through the card saved in your Uber account at the end of the trip.
Before you use it
- Limits: Coverage is narrower than GO in many regions, so check availability for your destination.
- Fees: Fares are often higher than hailing a taxi on the street because booking fees are added.
Foreign card OK
English available
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Uber Japan work with a foreign bank card in Japan?
- Yes - Uber Japan accepts foreign-issued cards in Japan.
- Is Uber Japan available in English?
- Yes, Uber Japan has an English-language interface.
- Do I need a local phone number to use Uber Japan?
- No, an international phone number generally works for Uber Japan.
- Do I need local ID or residency for Uber Japan?
- No, Uber Japan doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
- Where can I use Uber Japan?
- iOS · Android · Web
- How much does Uber Japan cost?
- Taxi fare by meter or upfront price plus booking fee; rideshare only in some areas and hours
Phrases for the driverJapanese
Saved only on this device.
Tap to hear it or to show it in large letters.
- Please take me to this address (show it on the map) この住所までお願いします。 Kono jūsho made onegaishimasu.
- How much will it cost? いくらですか？ Ikura desu ka?
- Can I pay by card? カードで払えますか？ Kādo de haraemasu ka?
- Stop here, please ここで止めてください。 Koko de tomete kudasai.
- Please wait a moment 少し待ってください。 Sukoshi matte kudasai.
- Thank you ありがとうございます。 Arigatō gozaimasu.