TAXI

Here are some practical tips for using taxis in Japan:

Hailing a Taxi

• Street Hailing: Look for taxis with a red sign that says "空車" (kuusha), meaning the taxi is available. If the sign is green, the taxi is occupied.
• Taxi Stands: These are located at major train stations, hotels, and busy areas. It’s usually easier to find a taxi at these stands.

Entering and Exiting

• Automatic Doors: Most Japanese taxis have automatic rear doors operated by the driver. Wait for the driver to open and close the door for you.
• Politeness: Always greet the driver with a simple "こんにちは" (Konnichiwa - Hello) or "こんばんは" (Konbanwa - Good evening).

Destination Information

• Address and Landmarks: Have your destination address written in Japanese or show it on a map. Many drivers may not understand English.
• Hotel Cards: If you're staying at a hotel, take a business card from the front desk with the hotel's address in Japanese to show the taxi driver.

Navigation and Communication

• GPS and Maps: Showing the driver a location on a smartphone map can be helpful.
• Translation Apps: Apps like Google Translate can help if you need to communicate more complex instructions.

Fare and Payment

• Metered Fare: Taxis use taxi metres, and the fare is based on distance and time. The initial fare usually covers the first 1-2 kilometres.
• Payment Methods: Cash is commonly used, but many taxis accept credit cards and IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo). Confirm with the driver if you plan to use a card.
• Receipts: If you need a receipt ("領収書" - ryoushuusho), ask the driver when you pay.

Tipping

• No Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Japan and might even be refused. The service charge is included in the fare.

Taxi is a good option when travelling around big cities or if you are staying in Nagoya (where most F1 fans stay) and heading to the Suzuka circuit.

However, we do not recommend travelling to the circuit from the major points in the proximity of the venue. You can take a taxi from Kintetsu Shirako Station (train), but be aware that waiting times can be long at certain times of the day due to heavy traffic. In addition, it is difficult to find a taxi near the venue itself (when returning from the circuit) - you can wait up to two hours for a taxi after the race.

If you plan to travel from Nagoya to the circuit (or the other way around) by taxi, keep in mind that it takes 40 min and costs around 160 USD.

Here are some of the major taxi operators in Nagoya:

• Meitetsu Nagoya Taxi
  Website: Meitetsu Nagoya Taxi

• Nagoya Kintetsu Taxi
  Website: Nagoya Kintetsu Taxi

Ride-sharing

Uber
Note that Uber is not operating in Suzuka despite it being available in larger cities within Japan, including Nagoya. It means that if you stay in Nagoya, you can use Uber within the city and you may be able to use this service when travelling to the circuit, but not for coming back from the F1 venue.