Taxis in Japan

While trains and buses are the more popular means of transportation in Japan, they close for service at around midnight.  When you're faced with this predicament, you may want to take a cab instead.  The taxi fares run for 600-700 yen for the first two kilometers and then add 100 yen for the succeeding 500 meters. 

When trying to catch a cab, watch out for the plate in the lower corner of the windshield.  If the sign is in red or if there's light in the roof (applies at nighttime), that means the cab is vacant.  The green sign says the opposite.

The left rear door opens and closes through a remote the driver controls.  You are not supposed to open and close it yourself. 

If you can't speak Japanese, you can just write the complete address of your destination and give it to the driver, or you can point it out on a road map.  Taxis drivers do not accept tips, the service charge is included in the fare.