Taxi & Transport Scams in Sapporo, Japan
Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists. Below are the taxi & transport scams reported in Sapporo — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Kyoto, Beijing, and Shanghai.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Taxi & Transport Scams
10
Total in Sapporo
How it works
Some Sapporo taxi drivers take tourists on longer-than-necessary routes, particularly from New Chitose Airport into the city. The extra distance significantly inflates the metered fare and tourists have no way of knowing the efficient route.
How it works
Unlicensed or unmetered taxi drivers solicit passengers in the arrivals hall and ground floor exits of New Chitose Airport, offering fixed-price rides into Sapporo city. The quoted flat rate is typically two to three times the metered fare and is non-negotiable once luggage is loaded. Some drivers claim the meter is broken or that a flat rate is mandatory for airport journeys, which is false. Official taxis use a meter and queue at the designated taxi rank outside the arrivals exit.
See all scams in Sapporo
10 total warnings across all categories