Top 8 Taxi Apps in Japan: Features & Details (2025)

Taxi-hailing apps will drive innovation globally in 2025, fueled by the widespread use of mobile applications. Global taxi booking services have a significant role in making short- and long-distance journeys easier for everyone. When we talk about Japan, many businesses are offering taxi-hailing services, improving the ease of daily transportation. 

GO, the most popular taxi booking app in Japan, holds around 80% of the market share while being one of the top 5 taxi booking companies in the country. From America to Europe, Uber, a US-based company, is also expanding as the most used taxi booking platform, with a rapid growth of 3.9 billion dollars every year. 

Further, DiDi, a China-originated taxi-hailing app, performs well in several realms, including Japan. DiDi covers around 50 million users in Japan alone. With such a stat, DiDi has become one of the most liked taxi booking apps in Japan. 

Considering these reports, investing in taxi apps in Japan is a wise decision in 2025 and the upcoming years. Many taxi businesses are revamping their operational workflow by opting for well-built, trustworthy, and feasible taxi app development partners in Japan. Today, we will talk about the eight chief taxi apps in Japan that are skyrocketing the taxi businesses, going head-to-head with other flourishing businesses. We will also give some thought on how to choose the best taxi app in Japan, and parallel insights.

Top 8 Taxi Apps in Japan—Reshaping the Riding Experience

1. MK Taxi—World-class limousine & taxi services

MK Taxi is well known as Tokyo MK. In terms of the ‘taxi app in Japan’, it is not enough to define Tokyo MK because of its wide and exclusive limousine services. Tokyo MK, as the name suggests, works in Tokyo city, offering taxi booking and limousine services. The premium cars and user-centric services distinguish the app from other similar businesses. 

The app features are based on the Japanese market and user data analysis. Tokyo MK partnered with GMTA Software, a leading mobile app development company in Tokyo, for their custom taxi app solution.GMTA is the industry leader in custom app development, delivering tailored mobile apps for 7 years. The core features of this taxi app are centralized booking operations, real-time tracking, golf court bookings, and airport pick-up and drop-off services. 

Discover how GMTA Software helped Tokyo MK modernize its legacy taxi operations by streamlining core business functionalities through a unified app portal in our detailed Tokyo MK case study.

Features 

• Airport transfer
• Premium car booking
• Limousine 
• Fleet services
• Golf court transfer services
• Electric vehicles for a green ECO system

Available Platforms

• iOS
• Android

2. GO Taxi App—A frontrunner taxi app in Japan

GO Taxi is among the most liked taxi apps in Japan. Around 77% of the travellers prefer to choose GO Taxi for their rides. The interesting fact about this taxi app is that it is used in around 45 prefectures(locations) in Japan. The app’s interface is simple and convenient. Users can register using a few easy steps, such as email registration or the phone OTP method. 

The app has an AI registration feature, which enables users to grab a taxi as soon as possible. Such features make GO Taxi a good choice for ride booking companies. 

Features

• Accurate drop-off locations
• Pre-schedule booking up to 15 mins to 7 days
• Accepts large vehicle requests
• Special seat arrangements for people with disabilities

Available platform

• iOS
• Android

3. DiDi—Top choice of travellers

This China-based taxi-hailing app has been quite popular in Japan since it was launched in 2018. People choose DiDi for its unique features and services. This taxi app, akin to Uber, has a large number of users across various countries as well. 

The signature feature of DiDi is its cheap and user-centric rides. The company often provides coupons and offers to the users, making their riding experience joyous. This is the ideal taxi app for those who do not like to wait a long time for their rides. 

The advanced drop-off location feature lets the user relax in the back seat, and the driver does the rest of the job till they reach the drop point. 

Features

• Advanced drop-off location availability
• User-centric navigation
• Seasoned coupons and festive offers 
• Taxi availability in key regions of Japan, including Kansai, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Tokyo.

Available platforms

• Web  
• Android  
• iOS

4. Uber—A global taxi booking app  

Uber is not an ordinary name among taxi apps; it stands out as one of the best, serving more than 700 cities globally. The concept of Uber cabs is to provide users with their desired taxi by collaborating with taxi owners directly. 

The company does not spend money on buying cars for the services; instead, it hires rides for its users directly from the car owners.

The multi-language support, comprehensible interface, and different payment modes are the most noteworthy features of the app. Uber also offers very nominal pricing based on the choice of cars, comfort, and early arrival. 

Features

• Simple UI/UX
• Multiple payment modes
• Bonus points on every ride
• Exclusive coupons and offers
• Quick booking and arrivals

Available platforms

• iOS
• Android

5. NearMe—Airport shuttle service provider

NearMe is not only a riding app, but it also facilitates bus bookings. NearMe is a Japan-based company and supports only Japanese and English. NearMe offers cheaper taxi riding services than other available taxi apps in Japan, as its limousine bus service splits the expenses among travellers. 

NearMe also lets users choose their payment modes and payment facilities. The company provides transport services to people with heavy luggage. NearMe has some of the most prominent features, making it one of the most advanced taxi apps in Japan. 

Features

• Wifi facility
• Cheaper fares
• Covers prime locations in Japan
• Limousine bus services
• Economic airport transfer

Available platforms

• Android
• iOS

6. S.RIDE—The Single swipe app

S.RIDE  is a new but competitive taxi app in Japan. The company attracts with its name, which is only “Single Ride”. The single ride means that the company enables users to use a single swipe taxi booking option. The function works when the rider is in an emergency or occupied with luggage and is unable to manage multiple functions on the taxi app. 

S.RIDE supports multiple languages to let users from different regions connect to the services seamlessly. Some of the top features of S.RIDE are multi-payment gateways, QR code payment, ride receipt, ride failure reimbursement, etc. The smooth and hassle-free ride experience enriches the app.  

Features

• QR code payments
• Single swipe booking
• Multiple payment modes
• Connectivity to the major points of Japan

Available platforms

• iOS
• Android

7. Grab—Popular in Southeast Asia 

Serving across Southwest Asia, Grab is a Singapore-based taxi company that runs the business in other countries as well, including Japan. Grab does not offer a direct taxi booking service, though customers can book a taxi with its ‘Ride Abroad’ feature. Grab is a taxi app for foreigners in Japan.

Basically, this feature connects the users with their local taxi partners using the Grab portal. This portal connects both parties without any long efforts or inconvenience. Users can simply pay online on Grab to book a taxi, and their booking gets confirmed within a short span. 

Features

• Real-time tracking
• Ride abroad feature
• In-app payment
• Offers and coupons

Available platforms

• Android
• iOS
• App Gallery (app store for Huawei devices)

8. FULCUL—Seamless taxi booking app

1. 

FULCUL is one of the most hassle-free taxi apps on the list. The only app that does not require your login details to give you a ride. FULCUL works amazingly for the people who are lazy with the registration process and clumsy steps to book a taxi. 

The most revolutionary part of this app is that you just have to shake your device to see available taxis around. FULCUL  does not ask for waiting changes, but taxis may be slightly late due to non-availability in the passenger area. 

This taxi app in Japan supports two basic languages—Japanese and English. Payment can be done before or after the ride. 

Features

• No pickup fees
• Covers 23 prefectures of Japan
• Seamless & appealing interface
• Taxi fare salutation per KM

Available platforms

• iOS

Top Reasons to Use Taxi Apps in Japan

Since the time of urbanization, the need for traveling has increased year by year in almost every region, state, and country. People not only travel for pleasure but also business and family events as well. They prefer to choose the most comfortable, cost-effective, and easy-to-reach conveyance. While this story is quite familiar to all, the facts about taxi services in Japan are also very interesting. 

Earlier, the conveyances were far and difficult to fetch; one had to travel to a particular point to fetch the vehicles. On the contrary, in today’s modernization, everyone wants a vehicle to travel in. Such demand leaned on technology, and an idea of a taxi booking app popped into mind. 

But why are taxi apps the talk of the town in 2025? Let’s dive into the further information.

1. Travel convenience 

Taxi apps in Japan offer customers easy travel. People like to travel with ease and with a cheerful driver. Gone are the days when people used to suffer a lot while traveling. Taxi apps make such circumstances favorable. 

There are choices of drivers, vehicles, locations, and whatnot. You just need a taxi app to make your travel easy and comfortable. In the busy and fast life of the country, people prefer to commute in less time and with more relief. 

2. Zero waiting time

While in-person taxi booking takes a lot of energy and time, an app does the job perfectly. Japan is known for its strong work ethic, and people work long hours. In such a scenario, taxi apps in Japan offer users less waiting time. 

This stage of ‘no-waiting’ is possible with a hailing app built with robust functionality in the driver and admin panel, where the drivers get notified about a booking as early as possible and arrive at the pick-up point as soon as possible. 

3. Secure & cashless rides

Everything has gone digital in a decade. People do not use much cash when making expenses. Even small expenses are made with payment apps. Considering the new normal, travellers do not like to pay cash as this mode of payment is time-consuming. 

However, the best taxi apps are easy to use and offer multiple modes of payment to customers, which brings their journey to a happy ending. Integrating multiple payment gateways, a taxi app advances its capabilities and becomes more popular. 

4. Modern and advanced functionalities

Taxi apps in Japan are based on modern tools and advanced technology, rather than booking systems in urban areas. Japan is notable for its technical advancement and innovations. People in Japan expect the taxi apps to be more convenient and enriched with futuristic features. 

Not every taxi booking app is sophisticated and user-friendly, and has a different mindset while building. A taxi app in Japan for foreigners is designed specifically with their preferences in mind at many levels. 

5. Round-the-clock taxi availability

A refined taxi app keeps the user’s choices based on preference. During the late hours of the night or with heavy luggage, a taxi app can play a vital role for users. When finding a safe ride at night is critical, managing the fare calculation is also a daunting task. A well-designed and speedy taxi app would serve the purpose promptly. 

A mobile app development company that serves transport app services fulfils this purpose, uplifting local taxi businesses to the digital era. This is one of the reasons why taxi apps are widely adopted. 

Essential Components Of A Successful Taxi App

While you have read all about every popular taxi app available in Japan, you must also investigate some of the core components that will redefine this business in 2025. 

Figure out some of the most essential features every taxi booking app should have, and what some advanced functionalities elevate your taxi business in Japan. There is a plethora of app features in the taxi business, but what can make or break your business? This should be your finest search. 

Let’s discuss the basic to advanced features of a successful taxi app in Japan. 

1. Interactive User Interface

Before we discuss the critical and enchanting features of a taxi app, we must remember the ideal advice, ‘the first impression is the last impression’. This is especially true for your taxi app’s UI. A skilled UI UX designer plays a crucial role in ensuring the app looks appealing, with attractive color themes and smooth transitions that users love to engage with.

According to Clutch, 83% of users prefer to open an app or website that looks attractive. Herein, going with visually appealing designs in your app definitely brings fruition. But what exactly does the UI bring to the table for you in your taxi app? Here it is:

• A great user interface increases the app visits
• An intuitive user interface clears the user’s doubts
• Enchanting UI is more trusted 
• Sleek UI turns a business into a brand

2. Location API integration

Location is one of the top priority features of a taxi app. When the whole taxi business works on a location-based navigation system, a poor location tool can damage it. As a GPS app development company, we understand how GPS enables the riders to track their vehicle in real time without being in any void. This feature also helps drivers to know exactly where their passenger is. Thus, both parties remain on the same page. 

Geolocation, on the admin part, also serves best to manage any dispute or refunds on a ride, as the admin can also have access to locations from the driver’s point to the rider’s location. Geolocation is a must-have feature for transportation apps and plays a significant role in Apple’s success. What location feature can do more for your business? Here is the list:

• Location detailing
• Accuracy 
• Improves security
• Easy navigations

3. Payment gateways

Every app requires a payment feature that enables users to pay as they choose. A taxi app in Japan requires multiple payment modes that could support every payment API smoothly, so the transactions become convenient. In-app payment gateways are user-friendly and unlock the freedom of paying beforehand or after the ride. 

An on demand app development company must integrate this feature to handle the transaction tactics easily. Payment gateways can deal in multiple currencies, which opens the door to business with locals and foreigners as well. Wonder how payment gateways are such a nice-to-have feature for your taxi app in Japan? Check here: 

• Boosted payment flow 
• Increased customer base
• Cashless payment facilities

4. Route tracking

This feature lets users check the route of their driver and trace their location every moment. This feature is different from the GPS location feature, as this is after you are onboarded. Once the travel starts on the anonymous roads, your user does not have to think of their safety. 

No matter whether the user is familiar with the route or not, this feature keeps updating the whereabouts of their vehicle. The core benefits of having this feature are: 

• Safety of the user
• Worryless journey assurance
• Build user trust in the app
• Justifying fuel costs
• Accurate time of arrival

5. Rating & review

Riders have their journey experiences, and so do the drivers with the riders. This smart feature of fetching user behavior helps a taxi app grow its user base. An admin or taxi app owner can take desired actions on the app’s functionalities, work management, and services based on reviews and ratings. 

Other than such facilities, a review option can help users to write their travel experience directly on the app so that owners can take prompt action if anything goes wrong during the ride. The rating and review feature has an end number of benefits, such as:

• Informed decision
• Trust in brand or business
• User security for the long term
• Right control over riders’ and drivers’ conduct
• Can help identify a consistent negative pattern of behavior

Why Leading Taxi Brands Like Tokyo MK Trust GMTA Software for Taxi App Development?

GMTA Software is a leading taxi app development company across the globe. Since 2019, GMTA software has been serving top-notch enterprise-level applications, creating a benchmark of success year after year. We have proven our word by providing a feature-rich and reliable taxi application to Tokyo MK. 

Tokyo MK is a limousine and taxi service provider company, rooted in Japan. The client has been in the taxi business since 1990 and was looking for a modern system to advance their business model. This vision brought them to us, and we created history by building the most sophisticated and scalable Tokyo MK app.

Our advanced tech stacks enabled the client to boost their ROI, increase their customer satisfaction, and build their brand identity. Being a frontrunner in the tech industry, we understand the industry-specific needs and create tailor-made apps. 

Here is why leading taxi businesses like Tokyo MK trust and choose us as their ally.

• We are power-packed with a skilled pool.
• We conduct industry research and market analysis.
• Our team is highly trained and keeps an eye on IT trends
• We follow a culture of transparency and open communication
• We welcome startups, small businesses, and tech giants.

Summing Up

The taxi business has substantial growth potential in 2025, with taxi apps in Japan establishing a prominent presence within the broader app market. Taxi and ride-sharing businesses are becoming more refined and centralized by meeting users’ expectations. Taxi owners in Japan are collaborating with taxi app development companies that already possess expertise in the relevant field.

If you are new to the taxi business and wish to grow since your inception, a well-crafted taxi app can be an invaluable asset, driving your business forward like a trusted partner. Simply find a leading mobile app development company in Japan that can translate your vision into a high-performing, seamless taxi app. 

Frequently Asked Questions