Taxis are very costly in Japan particularly in Tokyo, beginning at 660 for the first two kilometers with an increased of 80 for each 274 meters. The tariffs usually were standard, but in the year 1997 the regulations were informal, and there is now some difference. However nobody shops around, and in spite of the cost, taxis are quite common, so you may have a long wait if you wave one away.

Taxis can be called easily on most main streets most times of the day, except the one time when everyone wants one-just after midnight when the trains stop running. At this time, it may be worth going to a taxi stand outside a train station or major hotel.

Some taxis will be averse to receive foreigners at that hour, because drunk Japanese businessmen are more likely to give a large fare to a remote suburb. If you're out with Japanese people, let them call the taxi.

It's very essential to have the name and address of the site you're going written out, particularly in Japanese. Few taxi drivers speak English; if you can't make them understand where you're going, they won't pick up you. For some places you may also need to provide them directions, however not to major tourist spots. In Japan, the ancient system of addresses is not easy, inclusive for experts. If a taxi driver says he's lost, he's not trying to evade you, maybe he's surely lost.

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