Japan Taxi Apps for Tourists: GO, Uber, DiDi and S.RIDE (2026)
執筆者
Hieu Nguyen
GO, Uber, DiDi and S.RIDE compared for visitors to Japan: foreign phone numbers, passport verification on GO, cards, Tokyo fares and taxi tips.
GO, Uber, DiDi and S.RIDE compared for visitors to Japan: foreign phone numbers, passport verification on GO, cards, Tokyo fares and taxi tips.
Quick answer: the most useful taxi app in Japan is GO, which says it is the country's most-downloaded taxi app, and which has accepted foreign phone numbers since November 2023 and takes international credit cards and Apple Pay. Uber also works, but in Japan it books licensed taxis, not private drivers. DiDi and S.RIDE are good backups in Tokyo. All of them send a sign-up code by SMS, which a data-only eSIM can't receive, so register before you fly with your home SIM, or use GO's passport-and-selfie verification if the text doesn't arrive.
Table of contents
Japan taxi apps compared
| App | Foreign phone number | Payment | Coverage | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO | Yes, since November 2023 | International credit cards, Apple Pay, or pay in the car | Tokyo and most major cities | App fee in some areas; email plus passport and selfie verification if SMS fails |
| Uber | Yes, your existing account | Your saved card | Best in central Tokyo; thinner elsewhere | Licensed taxis only; some fares are dynamic |
| DiDi | Yes | In-app card | Big cities | In Tokyo, visitors can also book S.RIDE partner taxis through DiDi |
| S.RIDE | Check in the app | In-app | Tokyo area | Its taxis can also be booked through DiDi, and Uber is adding them for visitors |
Private ridesharing in your own car is very limited in Japan, so every app here dispatches licensed taxis. The fare you pay is the taxi meter plus any booking fee.
GO: Japan's main taxi app
GO is Japan's best-known taxi app, with English support, upfront fare estimates and a large network of licensed taxis. For visitors, the key points are:
- Foreign numbers work. GO opened registration to overseas mobile numbers in November 2023 so visitors can use all its services.
- International credit cards and Apple Pay are accepted in the app.
- If the SMS code doesn't arrive, GO's help centre lists identity verification using passport photos and a selfie, and travel guides describe an email plus passport route for people who can't complete SMS verification.
- App charges: GO adds an arrangement fee in some areas, including all of Tokyo, on top of the meter and the taxi company's pick-up fee. It isn't charged if you cancel, and it doesn't apply to Airport Flat Rate rides. The exact amount shows in the app before you book.
Some foreign numbers can still fail when you register from outside Japan. If that happens, try again after you arrive, with location access allowed.
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Uber in Japan
Uber works in Japan, but not like at home. It connects you with licensed taxi companies, mostly in central Tokyo, with thinner coverage in Osaka, Kyoto and late at night. The advantage is that you use your existing account and card, so there's nothing new to set up.
In April 2026, S.RIDE announced a partnership that lets visitors using the Uber app book and pay for S.RIDE partner taxis, starting in Yokohama from May 2026 and expanding to Tokyo and other S.RIDE areas in stages. S.RIDE says its network covers about 12,000 taxis in Tokyo and over 20,000 nationwide.
DiDi and S.RIDE
DiDi runs a taxi app in major Japanese cities. Since early 2026, foreign visitors in Tokyo's 23 wards, Musashino and Mitaka can also dispatch and pay for S.RIDE partner taxis from the DiDi app, which gives you a much bigger pool of cars. S.RIDE itself is a Tokyo-based taxi app built with Sony technology and partner taxi companies.
How to set up a Japan taxi app before you fly
- Install GO (and Uber or DiDi as a backup) at home.
- Register with your home number while you can receive SMS easily.
- Add a card and check it's accepted.
- Install a Japan eSIM for data, and keep your home SIM on for any new codes when you land.
- Save your hotel address in the app so you can book with one tap after a long flight.
If you'll rely on a data-only eSIM, read how to receive SMS abroad so sign-up codes still reach you.
How much do taxis cost in Japan?
- Tokyo meter: starts at about ¥500 for roughly the first kilometre, then rises about ¥100 every few hundred metres and with waiting time.
- Late-night surcharge: 20% between 10 pm and 5 am.
- App fees: pick-up fees and app charges can be added when you book through an app.
- Airport flat rates are available between the airports and central Tokyo through some taxi companies and apps.
Fares vary by city and company, so check the estimate in the app.
Taxi tips for Japan
- Don't tip. Tipping isn't customary in Japan.
- Doors open automatically. Let the driver open and close the rear door.
- Use licensed taxis only. Avoid unlicensed "white plate" drivers (shirotaku) who approach tourists at airports.
- Street hailing works well in city centres; a red light in the windscreen usually means the taxi is free.
Data for GO and Uber in Japan
BitJoy's Japan eSIM connects to docomo, au, SoftBank and Rakuten with 5G, from $3.49 for 1 GB.
See Japan eSIMsFrequently asked questions
What is the most used taxi app in Japan?
GO. It says it's the most-downloaded taxi app in Japan, and it works in Tokyo and most major cities, with English support and international cards.
Can I use GO with a foreign phone number?
Yes. GO has accepted overseas phone numbers since November 2023. If you can't receive the SMS code, use its passport and selfie identity verification instead.
Is Uber available in Japan?
Yes, but it books licensed taxis rather than private drivers, and it's most useful in central Tokyo.
Can I use Grab in Japan?
No, Grab doesn't operate in Japan. Use GO, Uber or DiDi instead.
How do I take a taxi in Japan?
Book through an app, hail a taxi with a red "vacant" light, or go to a taxi rank at stations and airports. Show the driver your destination on a map or in Japanese, and pay by card, cash or in the app.
Is it customary to tip taxi drivers in Japan?
No. Pay the fare shown on the meter or in the app; drivers don't expect a tip.
