Question 1

What is the "Late-Night Unlicensed Taxi" scam in Tokyo?

Accepted Answer

After midnight in entertainment districts, unlicensed drivers approach intoxicated tourists offering flat-rate rides that far exceed the metered fare. The meter may be tampered with or set to a premium rate from the start, and drivers sometimes take unnecessarily long routes. Only board taxis from official stands or hailed from the road. Confirm the driver will use the meter before entering. Use a ride-hailing app like Uber or DiDi to see the price upfront and have a record of the journey.

Question 2

What is the "Overpriced Taxi Detour" scam in Tokyo?

Accepted Answer

Some taxi drivers take longer routes, especially from Narita Airport to the city, significantly increasing the fare. Narita to central Tokyo should cost around ¥15,000–25,000 — some drivers charge far more. Use Narita Express (NEX) or Limousine Bus from the airport rather than taxis. If taking a taxi, show the driver the destination on Google Maps and monitor the route. All taxis must use meters by law.

Taxi & Transport Scams in Tokyo

Late-Night Unlicensed Taxi

Overpriced Taxi Detour

Experienced a scam here?