Beware Tokyo’s Illegal Taxis
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Staff at Narita Airport are handing out info to visitors to beware illegal taxis, gypsy-cabs. They’re increasing and cannot be monitored by any authority, including UBER. Japan has strict laws for taxis so find a taxi stand and take office cabs!
Article links: english.kyodon...
#tokyo #taxi
Hi John. Boy... had no idea that Japan had illegal taxis. I took a taxi from Haneda Airport that were right out front of the pick up area. Now I'll know to check the license plates. Mahalo for the tip.
Because of the color I think they are not taxis, they are cars with drivers... they are private services, not public like a taxi... basically the Japanese version of Uber. Nothing new under the sun
@@madriditunes7021 doesn't sound like uber at all. ''Nothing new under the sun" You aren't even correct.
The exploding star plate you refer to is the vanity plate they issued for the Olympics. You get private, commercial and taxi vehicles with that design. What makes it a taxi (with the olympic vanity plate, i.e. exploding star) is the green lettering and green border.
In general commercial vehicles registered for passenger transport (taxis, busses) will have dark green plates with white lettering or in the case of vanity plates the vanity design with green lettering and green border.
Knowledge is power! Thanks -
Had a great experience with the taxis in Japan, especially the guy who took us to the airport. After he dropped us off, he escorted us to the ANA check-in area inside the airport to make sure we were not lost.
Had the worse experience with a taxi in Japan. Driver missed the exit to Haneda, traffic was so heavy due to typhoon the night before. His taxi was electric car and didn’t have enough charge to get to next exit. We were stuck on side of highway in extremely hot weather. Kept saying another taxi was coming. Needless to say, we missed our flight. How does a cab driver miss the exit to airport??? Being a foreigner in this case was the worst feeling ever!
Holy smokes!!! That is one bad ride. Can’t forget taxis are still human powered, we make mistakes.
1:30 Yes, Japan has a group of Chinese people living in Japan and they uses their own app and car without unauthorized taxi license. Japan doesn’t want tourists take this risk.
Oh my John, what have we done to be so lucky? A live stream 4 days in a row 😍!
Yea, there are not enough cabs these days. I've waited for 30min for one cab at Sagamihara and Fuchinobe stations. I could have walked to my destination in 30min. Early in the morning is not bad tho, plenty of cabs before 8AM. Friends told me about the illegal cabs ... my first thought was how similar this was compared to Paris ... illegal cabs all around Charles de Gaulle airport. Finally, even with GPS mapping, sometimes I had to give directions... Roads in neighborhoods outside of the city never go straight in Japan... there are always shorter more direct alternative routes and some cabbies use it to their advantage to charge more.
Hi John. Just want to mention we saw these illegal taxis in Osaka when we were there in June this year too. They were quoting 200k Yen from the airport to Osaka station 😮
Were they locals or Chinese immigrants? I speak Chinese fluently and they thought i was a Chinese tourist which speaks no Japanese and they would take advantage of their fellowmen first before anyone else.
Wow!
I had to wait after my long flight to watch this. Made the flight longer lol. But thanks for the heads up John! Even though I usually take the train. This is some good piece of info. Hopefully one of these days I can return to Japan
A taxi/taxi driver stream sounds interesting, John can ask the driver what foreign country has the best/worst passengers, etc.
The French - over asked many times, thag was highest on the list. Chinese came up. American once. I asked if he thought he was Canadian, then he said maybe 😂 he didn’t know where Oregon was.
I laughed but also thought wow, how’d they know they were French? Most drivers don’t ask though. They just drive. I’ve been asking this question to drivers for years, some stories are hilarious!
Been watching your videos for years, love the content ❤ Fortunate to have been to Japan a few times, wonderful experience every time.
Lots of problems with illegal Chinese taxi in Vancouver Canada. They get ticketed non stop but they out number the police 1000 to 1. Impossible to catch them all. They often find driver's with no valid driver's license or registered criminals.
i am not surprised, i speak 7 Chinese dialects and can be mistaken as a mainlander any given day by my mainland accent. i have met such drivers through out South East Asia and they would victimize their own fellowmen first before others knowing their handicap in the local language. These ppl are as lawless as it is in mainland China.
Thank you..this is really important to know..We sure wouldn’t have! Very helpful video..thank you! Sharing!⭐️⭐️⭐️😊
Hi John…didn’t know about the license plates! Thanks for this great YT info!
I avoid Japanese taxi as they are the most expensive in the world, It pays to plan your travel plan's, Its not rocket science to work out how to get around Tokyo or any city in Japan If I can do it anyone can.B4 I started coming to Japan I did 2 years research on getting around its not difficult. As all ways John great Video safe travel everyone👍✌
Note that not all travellers are able bodied or young and so taxis are a godsend. Taxis in Australia are more expensive than Tokyo.
Did not realize that. That’s for the heads up and tip on that.
Oh wow. I was not aware this was happening. My wife and I just got back from Morocco and are planning our next vacation to Japan (most likely next year). Thank you for this great tip!
Thanks for this I’ll be sure to keep an eye out too when I come to Narita and maybe will check around other parts in Japan just in case 🙇♂️🙇♂️🙇♂️
The "exploding star pattern" was a special plate for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. People who bought a car in 2020 ( and extended into 2021 ) could pay extra for the special plate. My "regular" car has that plate, BUT without the Green Border.
I rode in that s.ride Tokyo cab. It was such an amazing ride that I wanted to buy that car when I got out of the car
I used to arrive at HND in a super long taxi queue. I called the taxi via the Uber app. Then my cab just showed up, I jumped in and that was it. So convenient. I didn't know about the taxi plate then, but I think it was green. I don't know if it's appropriate.
I’ve always had great experiences with both taxis and Uber in Japan, but on my last trip in September my husband and I had a really scary experience in an Uber in Tokyo one night (we thought we might have to just jump out at one point, it was so scary). It had me really disturbed for the rest of the night, and hesitant to get in a taxi or Uber the next day. Luckily the drivers for the remainder of our trip were amazing, as usual.
Prices are through the roof. Same 13-15 minutes ride as 2 years ago now prices at 5000 jpy as compared to about 2500 jpy before
also perhaps by travelers insurance so that your covered for medical expenses or trip problems while on travel or flying for work.
Thanks john. Had a good ride from kyoto station to my hotel as didn't want to add on to the subway and bus problem here. Guess times are tough when people will resort to faking anything.
It is cutting the line. The cue of taxi is there specifically to serve the people in the line.
If you wanted to avoid cutting the line, you can wait a little further out from the station property and wait on the street.
A lot of things run smoothly in Japan because they follow the social convention instead of being selfish. It's like the grocery store checkout problem. Having multiple lines actually slow things down and create a chaos. Instead, having a single line with multiple register will be quicker.
I did. Did you not hear me? I crossed the street. If you do next to the station, it’s cutting. They actually will not let you in the taxi and tell you to take the queue. But use your head! It’s a busy area and there are people hailing cans in Yaesu. You do not need to walk back to the station to get one if you work there. The cabs on the other side aren’t going to the station anyway, but you do what makes you happy.
You pointed to the direction where all the taxis were waiting in line.
Hey John, can we get a livestream from the brand new Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower?
I wish I could have taken the taxi more the last time I was in Japan. 99% my trip was done by JR Rail Pass, Metro, walking, or bus. I tried to sign up for the Didi app but they required a Japanese credit card. The only time I took a cab was from the Tokyo Station Hotel to Haneda Airport.
the og navigation reminded me of when i was younger before smartphones, i relied on printed maps to navigate NYC. i had an overall map and hot spots that I wanted to visit. LOL. it was tough.
Well, that's quite unexpectable information... Illegal taxi in one of the most law-abiding countries. Hmm...
Thanks for sharing this info 😊
Translation apps have also made a great difference
Really good to know!
We will return to Japan December 15.
I feel like interview with rickshaw driver in Asakusa would be great video. Especially how they stay in shape.
It’s been done a hundred times, what new info can I add?
Very informative. I had no idea . Will be looking at license plates on taxis next time I’m in Japan
steer clear from those cab operators which sounds like they are from mainland China. they tend to take advantage of their fellowmen first before others due to language barrier of tourists and they exploit it well.
steer clear of mainland Chinese drivers.
Loved the taxis in Japan. Used the Japan Taxi app. So clean and convenient.
Thx John great to know. We have luckily only ever had great experiences in Japan.
How do I know if the ride is legal? Made reservation via jayride and choose the company for a private airport transfer to our hotel in Tokyo. So far all our drivers have been non Japanese but said they’ve been living in Japan for a while and speak Japanese but very little English. Are these legal transfer services?
Never knew this was a thing in Japan!! What’s the situation like with the relationship in Japan like between taxis, the public, and rideshare services like Uber or Lyft??
Hi John,
Can the large cab accommodate four adults and a six-year-old? We plan to travel with three checked luggages and three carry-ons. Thank you.
I had used the GO app in both Tokyo and Sapporo.
We caught a taxi in Tokyo. The driver went down a three lane street that was one way the wrong way. It’s just as dangerous taking a legit taxi. We were dodging oncoming cars for a while before the driver was able to turn off the road. Wildest taxi ride ever
u should have seen cab drivers in Malaysia if u think those u saw in Japan were bad.
😂go to India I had that kind of ride in a highway ,the driver said it was a short cut😢
I think most if not all of those illegal taxi drivers in Japan are fully aware of the Japanese laws. The passengers may or may not be aware of it because the way they operate is through a Chinese app that is legal to find a ride within China. Unsuspecting customer may incorrectly assume it is a legal operation within Japan and the process to find a ride is the same as within China. The payment is done through their own payment system by passing Japanese financial system completely. If the police officer notices a suspicious driver picking up tourists and questions the driver, the driver will simply claim the passengers are their "friends" whom the person is simply giving them a ride to their room. Until the laws are changed to allow the police to send fake passengers it isn't that easy to catch. Up to three years prison and 3 million yen in fine if convicted for operating an illegal taxi service in Japan.
It seems like these days illegal taxis are using apps like Klook where payment isn't done directly but by overseas companies who handle the payments on behalf of the drivers.
These are more often run by Chinese and they don't seem to be proper companies either.
A symptom of the population collapse, plus the expense of the new taxis. Mind you they were using midsize luxury minivans in the interim before the new JPN Taxi was available.
Do they deport them for breaking the law?
I’m sure someone will. Personally, if I mistakenly took one and it was okay, I’d probably not care much. But I wouldn’t mistakenly take one knowing the info.
To be picked up by THE JOHN DAUB? That would be awesome!!! ❤ But the rickshaw runner? 🧐🤔 I am not sure about that one. I think we should leave that one to the pros! Lol. Thank you for this information. Very useful. PS: I bought that DVD! Highly recommend it, if you are an ONLY IN JAPAN fan! 🥰 PS2: Happy Thanksgiving John!
No money changing hands, no problem. You can pay for gas too I believe, you can pay for the service.
It's not what I'd expect of Japan. A lot of Southern and Eastern European countries are notorious for pirate taxis.
Can we pay via credit card if without IC card
John created his own line 😊
I love watching you run into people and I wonder when it’s my turn - I’m only going to be in Tokyo for a couple days, so is there a way to ask you what your schedule is at any given time I mean I’m not sure that super safe for you, 😮 but I’m just wondering how do we know where you’re going to be like so I can plan my Tokyo days when you are not somewhere else lol. I’m coming to visit my grandkids in another part of the country, but I will be in Tokyo for a few days with them probably next spring after the cherry blossoms. 🥳. And what does Ma ta ne mean? I keep trying to find that.
I’ll be around ;)
🙋♀@@onlyinjapanGO
Interesting. Klook, where so many prep for a trip to Japan, has “private transfers” for reasonable-ish prices - and many are Chinese named drivers. Should I not chance it?
Depends if you want to patronize illegal businesses.
Speaking of taxis, thank you to the taxi driver who didnt ask for extra fare when he drove us to the Subashiri trail area when we didnt catch the shuttle bus. It was an old toyota taxi and instead of the usual black ones it was white and got that Bioman/Initial D vibe and dang it was fast.
Not sure how we missed the bus since we left Shinjuku bus stn.on time
This problem of "illegal" taxis is that people are picking _t_ up tourists, driving them around and not charging them?
I remember the time when Uber was populated by non-taxis. It was fine then and is fine now in Tokyo. The main reason I prefer Uber at times is because its convenient and I don't have to worry about having enough cash - plus I only really use taxi/Uber when I absolutely have to.
UBER drivers in Tokyo are all licensed now. There is no non-taxi Uber anymore. Law changed ages ago.
That was one case. I’m sure rare. I’ve hitchhiked the whole country so I know people are kind hearted and some are just - bored. The other side is that the illegal cab can get stiffed too.
@@onlyinjapanGO Thanks John!
If one of these illegal taxis charges me a fare that is miniscule compared to what the legal ones do, I'm taking that risk.
Taxi and Uber prices in Japan are absolutely ridiculous.
For Japanese, maybe. Compared to Europe … and the US with the obligatory tip … it’s really not different. Japan has a big elderly population that needs to rely on taxi, and a lot of savings to use 🤔 so I’m told.
You can say, its bad to take a Fake Taxi 😏
People travel for a relaxing holiday and not to be stressed out.
This is rampant in S. Korea, surprised it's in Japan too
it is rampant in any East Asian societies that heavily engages foreign labor. These are easier money than toiling 8 hrs a day doing manual labor. And these immigrants knows how to speak the local language and they know tourists feels more safe knowing that their driver speaks the same language even if the driver opt to cheat or worse.
Interesting to know it’s elsewhere in neighboring countries, thanks!
why does the video blackout ever y 45 seconds?
Just came back from japan. Many taxis had seat belts that i could not access
Ah, they always ask you to fasten your seat belt, it’s sometimes hard to find. New ones have LED lights in them.
@@onlyinjapanGO the taxi drivers never mentioned seat belts and we couldn’t get them out of under the back seats in order to buckle them.
I think those are unauthorize Grab service.
Hi. How many passengers do they allow inside the taxi?
Coming from plain jane suburbia Canada to Jakarta Airport lest year and trying to get a cab that you felt a: safe in and b: wasnt ripping you off was a very stressful welcome to the country. I hope this isnt he start of that in Japan and that Japan does more than hand out flyers but actively patrols and controls the taxi stands for this.
John looks like Jake Lockley from Moonknight 😂
So if the person didn't charge for bringing the tourists around, then it's not exactly illegal?
Which tourists would want to take a taxi from Narita? Tourists would usually go to Tokyo... Gotta be rich tourists...
But anyway... I think you need a special license to be a taxi driver in Japan
Your flight cost a lot: the taxi is a fraction of that, ¥18,000-¥20,000 to the city. For some, it’s a business write off. With 4 people, it’s not too bad, competitive with Narita Express. If you get a bigger cab, it can work out with 6 people.
@@onlyinjapanGO make sense if you split it up and make it a business expense, that is if they don't limit for transport. But me going on a holiday on my expense, even with my family, it's the Airport Limousine Bus to TCAT.
Interesting that there are illegal taxis there. But i won't ride taxis in Japan anyway as they're so expensive. Trains and buses are the way to go for me.
But are they cheaper priced? 🤔
😂 depends if you can bargain, how does anyone know - they don’t exactly have a normal meter.
The taxi lobby is fighting hard to keep every competitor out. When I was drinking in the far reaches of Aomori, I asked for the master to call a taxi. He said they don't service that area after midnight. So I got a ride home from a sober patron. It really highlighted a problem of taxi drivers demanding high wages and turf protection while leaving the patrons high and dry when they are needed. I say usher in Uber and the free market.
Yeah you mean all the old drivers that John mentioned who want what you said that’s how bad it is there now more of them not enough young people anymore I’ve been paying attention more now to to this and very worried at times like John and others why they are using Robots now too as Dr Jung who takes care of my parents who’s a doctor said
Maybe even use the Artificial Intelligence to help now too 🧬🧬🧬
Avoid taxis they are super expensive , paid 70 dollars from haneda to akasaka area.
Japan's illegal taxi's are my country's legal everyday taxi's 😂
Chinese people don't know what remorse is and they are shameless
Why dont the police crack down on the unlicensed taxis? Should be easy for them to spot and cite. There are Chinese drivers posing as a ride share company posted up illegally at rideshare pickup locations at Vegas casinos. They try to convince people waiting for their Uber or Lyft rides to cancel and go with them. They even have their company logos on their cars, but they’re not legit.
The license plates look like normal people’s cars and normal cars are allowed to enter airport pickup, like picking up family. Always go to the taxi queue.
@@onlyinjapanGO, ok I misunderstood then. I thought you mentioned their cars looked like actual taxis with all the decals and even using the same newer taxis car models. Thanks!!
Taxis are too pricey,,trains and buses are cheaper and more reliable in Japan choice is easy 😊
When time is money or you’re not near a subway or bus stop, which is more often. If you have 4 people, it’s sometimes much cheaper and less stress which is something you do not want when you’re on holiday 😉
I avoid this issue by remaining too poor to take cabs anyway 😅
Or Lightning Pass at Disneyland to cut the line..LOL
can't wait to take a cab in Mumbai
the traditional Toyota taxis are the best
Need to start Uber if you have a shortage of drivers
Well with uber you are getting drivers that go through a background check, safety training and usually are locals with great experience of the area. but wow that is scary that there are fake taxis. hmm hmm with uber the app the driver and customer are all accounts registered and rated. both the driver is rated and the customer is rated for uber.
Come on in Japan you can't sneaz with out out the government approve. What makes you believe I will fall for the illegal taxi thing. What is the government trying to pull. What's the bid idea.
Nice one too 🙄🙄🙄
A woman employee at the airport warned us to NOT take Uber because of this. It was a great tip!
Yeah, Uber is also super pricey, about 20% more but the drivers are all licensed now. I don’t know if that was the case 5 years ago.
What does this mean for Uber and Lyft?
Left is unknown here, Uber has always been Uber black, a luxury service which is more expensive then normal taxi but not sure these days. I don’t use Uber in Japan. Only foreign tourists.
I really don't like chinese but that guy showing the tourists around for free sounds really nice ...
as you said its not allowed to transport people for money but if he didn't take money wouldn'T this be perfectly fine ?
Nice guy with a weird hobby .... why not ^^V
lmao at your queue comment, it is valid to go elsewhere to avoid the queue
Cross the street, using your head, it’s a busy area - it’s a time saver. Hailing cabs on the street is what they do 😉
I'm not over the age of 6 foot 2
Hahaha! My mind and mouth occasionally mince word combos 😂 that’s an age I’ll never live up to!
Tokyo also got fake taxi or illegal taxi
"the subway is complicated" a lot of brainlets out there.
Hey John,
The term "gypsy taxi" is incredibly offensive. Please don't use it.
🤨🤨🤨
🙄🙄🙄
Roflmao, sitting in a line for Space Mountain as an analogy?? You are so bad!!! The analogy should be standing in a different line next to Space Mountain....and then using it to directly go into Space Mountain :P
Still... great information for us to know :)
The idea is to bring a smile to people, not be a talking head on a political news show, mincing words makes it more fun and certainly, everyone gets the point without the unneeded analogy 😂 if it were needed, it wouldn’t be fun to try ON THE SPOT LIVE. Hahaha
At least they are not robbing or attacking other people but no insurance isn’t good either you get into a very serious accident your not in a good place Yes 😮💨😮💨😮💨
Yes, but there is a risk it could happen. That is a bit scary. But it’s not the same as most other Asian countries. I was surprised by the news myself.
@@onlyinjapanGO was thinking that probably too hopefully not still thanks again for informing others about this I’ll make sure to keep an eye out when I get here for the first time actually those flyers are good and helpful too from the staff at the airport I’ll make sure to grab one but could probably use some help with the writing language
@@onlyinjapanGO I’m also interested In Malaysia and Vietnam if that’s anything helpful and nice you could tell me 🙂🙂🙂
You seem to have misunderstood the article. You are completely wrong in saying the taxi driver is providing a free service because he is "bored". The driver of the illegal taxi *claimed* that he did not receive payment from the 2 Chinese customers, whom he also claimed were his friends. The article then goes on to explain that there are many Chinese-language apps that enable illegal taxi drivers to receive online payment. The underlying assumption here is that the illegal taxi driver did in fact receive payment but it was not possible to prove it since no physical cash exchanged hands. Seriously, you need to up your reading skills.
WOW really nice 🙄🙄🙄
See you❤
You are not talking about Uber Taxis?
Uber is nit really Uber. It’s just an app. Japanese don’t use it. It mainly luxury cabs and I said this.
Never call something illegal, *Gypsy* its freaking offensive.
Do better ok.
🤨🤨🤨
🙄🙄🙄
Lemme guess, immigrant
Taxi drivers in Japan are 98% Japanese. It’s only changed the last few years since the Olympics and tourism boom.
Rickshaw runner video. Lets go hahaha
if you stand in the english speaking taxi line up.
There are more non-Japanese drivers and all of them have voice translators now. Tech has made it very easy to use Taxi these days