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English speaking taxi drivers in Japan

Fairfax County...
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5,182 posts
35 reviews
14 helpful votes
English speaking taxi drivers in Japan

Does Japan has a system to identify taxis with English speaking drivers? (Similar to the International Taxi classification in Korea, as shown below)

https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRP/TP_ENG_7.jsp

It would be very helpful to tourists as they generally do not speak Japanese, and most Japanese taxi driver do not understand English. My attempts to use taxis in Japan on my last trip were mostly unsuccessful, unless I have someone at the my hotel to get one for me and tell the driver where I wanted to go.

My attempt to use the taxi app in 2019 (to bypass the language barrier) in Japan was a total flop. No driver responded to those taxi requests, while empty taxis were a plenty and kept driving by me.

I hope there is a way for tourists to easily get a taxi in Japan. I would think the drivers would also benefit from getting more revenue.

Tokyo, Japan
Level Contributor
18,910 posts
48 reviews
14 helpful votes
51. Re: English speaking taxi drivers in Japan

I think I already wrote that many drivers who can speak English in Tokyo would take jobs like below.

https://gowithguide.com/japan/tour/tokyo-8-hour-tokyo-tour-with-a-car-up-to-5wifienglish-2925

https://gowithguide.com/japan/tour/mount-fuji-mt-fuji-a-japanese-world-heritage-site-with-a-private-van-3897

Better luck next time!!

Fairfax County...
Level Contributor
5,182 posts
35 reviews
14 helpful votes
52. Re: English speaking taxi drivers in Japan

I think it is good that they can find a better and higher pay job. I would too if I were them.

But that is not really the question, is it? The question is whether there are English speaking taxi drivers in Japan, and whether there is a way to identify them. If there is not in Tokyo, that is the answer, and I am perfectly fine with it. No need to come up with reasons. There can be many jobs that can use the English skills for a higher pay, that does not change the outcome.

Tokyo, Japan
Level Contributor
18,910 posts
48 reviews
14 helpful votes
53. Re: English speaking taxi drivers in Japan

So if you use taxis instead of public transportation that often, you can hire English speaking drivers with cars by hiring them the whole day.

Fairfax County...
Level Contributor
5,182 posts
35 reviews
14 helpful votes
54. Re: English speaking taxi drivers in Japan

I can, but I won't.

55. Re: English speaking taxi drivers in Japan

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