Taxis in Kyoto

If you have missed the last train, are carrying heavy luggage, or are simply too tired to face a prolonged bus ride, a taxi ride in Kyoto can be a swift and comfortable travel alternative. Hailing a taxi can also be cost effective over short distances if there are two or more passengers to share the bill. In this article, we look at basic taxi etiquette, how to pay, where to find taxis and which taxi companies you should look out for.

The taxi rank on the north side of Kyoto Station

Basic Taxi Etiquette & Payment

On most streets hailing a taxi is easy. Just raise your hand for an oncoming taxi as you would in your home country. If the light in the passenger’s side window is green, the taxi is already occupied. If the light is red, then the taxi is available. At night, a light on the roof of the taxi also indicates that the taxi is vacant.
The majority of taxi drivers cannot speak English. It’s a good idea to show them a map to your destination, or to have the address written down in Japanese.
The rear doors of taxi cabs open and close automatically. You don’t need to open and close them yourself, in fact it is better if you don’t.
All taxi cabs have meters, and taxi drivers are generally honest, so you don’t need to worry about being cheated.
There is no need to tip in Japan. You simply pay the fare shown on the meter. If you try to tip the driver, you will probably just embarrass or confuse him.
Cash is useful, especially in smaller or independent taxis, but many major Kyoto taxi companies also accept credit cards and other cashless payments. If you need to use a specific card, QR payment, or app payment, check the payment stickers or ask the driver before the journey begins.
Taxis can also be ordered through apps. The GO taxi app is used by several Kyoto operators, including Yasaka, Miyako, and Rakuto, and it can be useful if you want to set your pickup point and destination on a map. App coverage and app payment options vary by vehicle and operator.

Waiting for a taxi at Kyoto Station

Types of Taxi

Most ordinary taxis in Kyoto can carry up to four passengers, but three passengers with luggage is often more realistic. If you have four people with suitcases, more than four passengers, or bulky luggage for an airport transfer, it is better to reserve a minivan, jumbo taxi, or private hire vehicle rather than assuming a street taxi will have enough space. Vehicle-specific, time-specified, dispatch, and charter charges may apply. For example, MK Taxi lists ordinary 4-passenger vehicles, minivans for up to 6 passengers, high-grade wagons for up to 6 passengers, and larger vehicles for airport and charter services.

A Kyoto taxi opening its automatic door

Where to Get a Taxi

There are two taxi ranks at Kyoto Station on the north and south side of the building. You can also find taxi ranks at most other rail stations and bus terminals. At other locations it is fairly easy to hail a taxi on the street. At taxi ranks, the taxis line up and customers board them in the order they become available. For this reason, when boarding at a taxi rank, you cannot choose a particular taxi company. When hailing a taxi on the street however, you might want to pick out the better-known companies by their taxi logos.

An independent taxi detail: 個人 or “kojin” means independent

Kyoto’s Best Taxi Companies

For visitors, larger taxi companies are often easier to use because they have recognizable logos, dispatch systems, official websites, app support, and in some cases English-language hire services. If you are booking by phone, you may need to do so in Japanese, or have someone do it for you. Below we introduce several companies whose taxis are easy to recognize around Kyoto.

MK Taxi

An MK taxi and logo

MK Taxis can be recognized by the heart-shaped logo on their roof. MK is useful for visitors because it has an English Kyoto website, airport transfer services, business and private transfers, driver-guided private tours, and a VIP Station near Kyoto Station’s Hachijo exit.

For ordinary taxis, MK lists a basic fare of 470 yen for the first 0.9 kilometers and then 100 yen for each additional 271 meters. A time-distance fare of 100 yen per 1 minute and 40 seconds is charged when the taxi is traveling at 10 km/h or slower. MK also lists a 20% deep-night and early-morning surcharge from 22:00 to 5:00, a 10% disability discount, and a long-distance discount for the amount over 5,000 yen. For called or app-dispatched taxis, MK lists a 300 yen dispatch fee for orders from 21-Jun-2026.

Tel: 075-778-4141
English website: https://mktaxi-japan.com/kyoto/
Fare information: https://www.mk-group.co.jp/kyoto/taxi/

Yasaka Taxi

A Yasaka taxi and logo

Yasaka Taxis can be recognized by the green clover logo on their roof. Yasaka has an official fare page for Kyoto city area taxis, a GO app page, an English page for airport shuttle and limousine services, and an English-speaking chauffeur service for private sightseeing or business transportation. Do not assume that every regular Yasaka driver speaks English; if English support is important, book the limousine service or another dedicated English-speaking driver service.

English website: https://www.yasakataxi.jp/english/
Fare information: https://www.yasakataxi.jp/taxi/price.html

Ecolo Taxi

The Ecolo taxi air turbine

Ecolo21 is a Kyoto-based taxi company focused on sightseeing and charter services. Its fare page lists ordinary car charters for up to 4 passengers from 25,600 yen for 4 hours, and larger cars for up to 7 passengers from 30,800 yen for 4 hours, with additional time charged in 30-minute units. Ecolo’s site asks customers to make charter reservations through the reservation page rather than by phone.

Tel: 075-803-2228
Website: https://www.ecolo21.com/

Hailing Taxis at Night

Late-night taxis are very useful after the last train, but they usually cost more. Major Kyoto taxi companies commonly add a 20% deep-night or early-morning surcharge from around 22:00 until 5:00. MK lists this surcharge from 22:00 to 5:00, while Miyako lists it from 22:00 to 4:59. Choosing a different logo is not a reliable way to avoid the surcharge, so check the operator’s fare rules if the price matters.

Miyako taxis can be recognized by the 都 (miyako or “capital”) character on their rooftop logo. Miyako also has a 24-hour call center and links to the GO app.

A Miyako taxi and 都 logo

Aoi Group taxis can be recognized by their crescent moon rooftop logo.

An Aoi Group taxi and crescent moon logo

Rakuto Group taxis can be recognized by their white elephant rooftop logo. Rakuto taxis can also be called through the GO app.

A Rakuto Group taxi elephant logo

Kyoto Taxis with English Speaking Drivers

There are a number of options if you would like to specially hire an English speaking driver whether for touring or for business. These are dedicated hire or tour services, so they should be booked separately from an ordinary street taxi.

Yasaka Taxi has a Limousine Service with English speaking chauffeurs that can be used for private sightseeing or business transportation. Find out more at their website or call +81-75-842-1214.

The Rakuto Group has private taxi tours and limousine services. Find out more at their English website.

MK Taxi has business and private transfer services, driver-guided private tours, and foreign-language guide services. Check their English website for details.

You can also walk directly from Kyoto Station to their VIP Station and make a booking there. The MK VIP Station is located directly opposite the Hachijo exit of Kyoto Station’s south side, in the Ibis Styles Kyoto Station building. The VIP Station hours listed by MK are 9:00-18:00. Here is a map.

The MK Taxi VIP Station

Airport Shuttle Services

Yasaka Taxi operates an airport shuttle service, and MK Taxi operates airport transfers and airport flat-rate taxis. These are not the same kind of service, so check the official pages before you book. Yasaka’s airport shuttle information can be found through its English website. MK offers airport transfers and flat-rate airport taxi services. Its Kyoto-Kansai Airport flat-rate table for standard cars starts from 24,100 yen per vehicle for some Kyoto areas from 21-Jun-2026, with tolls charged separately. MK’s airport transfer information can be found on its English airport transfer page and its Japanese fare page.

Read our article, Traveling Between Kyoto and Kansai International Airport to find out more about travel options between these two destinations.