For
- All people who want to call a taxi in Osaka by app
The main taxi apps in Osaka are as follows.
The author, who has been a taxi driver for a year in Japan, introduce the best app for you.
【to reduce taxi fares at Airport】
「nearMe.」
Door-to-door transfer service cheaper than taxi
- Osaka city ⇔ Kansai Airport （KIX）⇒ from 2,980 JPY/person
- Osaka city ⇔ Itami Airport （ITM）⇒ from 980 JPY/person
The best apps in Osaka ⇒ S.RIDE
2023, the best apps in Osaka is "S.RIDE".
・ 2,000 JPY promo
Function of Taxi apps in Osaka
| app | Number of taxis | Airport fixed fare | English support | promo | |
| Discount Price(JPY) | code | ||||
| GO | many | available | available | 2000 | get from friends |
| S.RIDE | many | available | available | 2000 | get from friends |
| DiDi | many | not available | available | 500 | 8474JVZU |
| Uber | few | available | available | 2000 | AFFJPOCT40 |
Features of each taxi apps in Osaka
①S.RIDE ←Best apps in Osaka
【Features of S.RIDE】
- Best app in Osaka for foreigner
- You can register with a foreign phone number
- Very easy to use app
- English language support
- 2,000 JPY promo
②GO
【Features of GO】
- Japanese phone number required for registration
- many affiliated taxis in major cities in Osaka
- many functions
- Max 7,000 JPY promo
- English language support
③DiDi
【Features of DiDi】
- 500 JPY promo code is "8474JVZU"
- English language support
④Uber
【Features of Uber】
- Can be used in other countries
- 2,000 JPY promo code is "AFFJPOCT40"
Recommended apps in Osaka for each purpose
Taxi apps fees in Osaka
Prices for taxi apps in Osaka are as follows:
- In principle, the same as the taxi fare when not using the app
- No need new registration or annual fee for the app
- Coupon makes the price cheaper
Available area in "Osaka" of each app
GO ⇒ Most of Osaka Prefecture
- Osaka city
- Sakai City *
- Toyonaka City *
- Ikeda City *
- Suita City
- Takatsuki City
- Moriguchi City
- Hirakata City *
- Ibaraki City
- Yao City
- Tondabayashi City
- Neyagawa City *
- Kawachinagano City
- Matsubara City
- Daito City *
- Minoh City
- Kashiwara City
- Habikino City *
- Kadoma City
- Settsu City
- Fujiidera City
- Higashiosaka City
- Shijonawate City *
- Katano city *
- Sayama City, Osaka
- Mishima-gun
- Minamikawachi-gun
- Izumiotsu City
- Izumi City
- Takaishi City
- Kishiwada City
- Kaizuka City
- Izumisano City
- Sennan City
- Hannan City
- Senboku-gun and Sennan-gun
・ up to 7,000 JPY promo
S.RIDE ⇒ Osaka city and its surroundings
- Osaka city
- Toyonaka City
- Suita City
- Moriguchi City
- Kadoma City
- Higashiosaka City
- Yao City
- Sakai City
- Ibaraki City
- Takatsuki City
- Minoh City
- Ikeda City
- Settsu City
- Shimamoto Town, Mishima County
・ 2,000 JPY promo
DiDi ⇒ Most of Osaka Prefecture
- Osaka city
- Toyonaka City
- Suita City
- Moriguchi City
- Kadoma City
- Higashiosaka City
- Yao City
- Sakai City (excluding Mihara Ward)
- Izumiotsu City
- Izumi City
- Takaishi City
- Kishiwada City
- Kaizuka City
- Izumisano City
- Sennan City
- Hannan City
- Senboku-gun and Sennan-gun
- Ikeda City
- Ibaraki City
- Shimamoto Town
- Settsu City
- Takatsuki City
- Minoh City
- Katano City
- Shijonawate City
- Daito City
- Neyagawa City
- Hirakata City
- Toyono Town
- Nose Town
・3,000 or 500 JPY promo code is "8474JVZU"
Uber ⇒ Osaka city and surroundings
- Osaka city
- Sakai City
- Higashiosaka City
- Yao City
- Moriguchi City
- Kadoma City
- Suita City
- Toyonaka City
・2,000 JPY promo code is "AFFJPOCT40"
to reduce taxi fares at Airport
「nearMe.」
Door-to-door transfer service cheaper than taxi
- Osaka city ⇔ Kansai Airport （KIX）⇒ from 2,980 JPY/person
- Osaka city ⇔ Itami Airport （ITM）⇒ from 980 JPY/person
How to use taxi apps in Osaka
General usage is maybe almost the same as taxi apps in your country. (like Uber, Grab, Lyft)
Big difference are as follows.
- Most drivers can't speak English
- Cash payment is only in local currency (JPY)
- the door of taxi opens and closes automatically
Below, how to use S.RIDE.
①Download app
Tap below to download S.RIDE for free on the app store
②Registration
Launch the app ⇒ Tap "First time use?"
Enter your phone number ⇒ Tap "Send SMS"
Enter the 4-digit "verification code" received by SMS ⇒ Tap "Next"
Enter Profile ⇒ tap "Confirm"
"Credit card registration" is required to use "online payment" with S.RIDE.
*You can register later.
Enter card information ⇒ Tap "Register"
Tap "ALLOW ONLY WHILE USING THE APP"
Tap "Agree to the Terms of Use"
Now you can use S.RIDE.
③Call taxi
Move the yellow pin on the map to set ride point, and Slide the yellow bar "Slide to call a taxi"
The app searches for taxis. Wait until a taxi is found. (Waiting time depends on the situation)
Found a taxi
④Ride taxi
The current location of the taxi, company name, vehicle number, arrival time, etc. are displayed.
Wait for the taxi at the ride position
Destination setting (optional)
You can set your destination on the app while waiting for a taxi. (This operation is unnecessary if you want to tell the driver directly when getting in.)
Tap "Enter before getting on a taxi."
Set the destination in the search bar or map, tap "Confirm"
When the taxi arrives, make sure the car number is correct before boarding the taxi. And tell your name to the driver.
There is no need to operate the app while riding.
⑤Payment(if pay by cash) and get off
If pay by online (pay by app), payment is no need when getting off.
If you select "pay by cash", please pay the fare in cash(JPY).
Q and A about Taxi in Osaka
The author, who has been a taxi driver for a year in Japan, answers the questions.
Do Japanese taxi drivers speak English?
Most drivers can't speak English fluently.
Elderly drivers especially don't talk much.
However, Japanese learn English in compulsory education, so many people know simple words.
If the driver doesn't speak English, use google translate.
Is there a refusal to ride?
In Osaka, it is rare to be refused a ride taxi.
Because the rules for cracking down on taxi drivers in Osaka are very strict.
Do Japanese taxis unfairly charge fares?
In Osaka, it is rare to be charged unfairly.
Because the rules for cracking down on taxi drivers in Osaka are very strict.
Can I use a credit card?
Yes. About 50% of taxis in Japan accept credit cards.
But credit cards may not be accepted even in taxis that accept credit cards. For example, Terminal troubles, insufficient balance, compatibility issues, etc.
