Taxis in Sapporo

Sapporo has a great public transport system with trams, buses and a subway system, but if you are really tired or carrying a lot of baggage, you may prefer to hail a taxi. Taking a taxi can also be an economical choice if you have two or more people to help pay the fare. In this article we look at where to find taxis, how much they cost, basic taxi etiquette, and recommend some local taxi services.

Taxis waiting at Sapporo Station’s South Exit

Where to Find Taxis in Sapporo

Finding a taxi is usually easy in central Sapporo. Sapporo Station has taxi ranks outside both its north and south exits, and ranks can also be found at major hotels and department stores. To hail a taxi on the street, look at the illuminated sign in the front window. Red means that the taxi is available, while green means that it is occupied. Raise your hand from a safe place where the driver can stop.

Waiting at a taxi rank at Sapporo Station

At taxi ranks the taxis line up and customers normally board the first vehicle in line rather than choosing a particular company.

Foreign-language support varies. Have the destination name and address written in Japanese or ready on a map, ask hotel staff to arrange a taxi, or use a booking app. GO can be used with some local operators, including Suzuran, but app coverage, availability and dispatch fees vary.

Taxi Fares

Fares vary by operator and vehicle category. Most ordinary taxis seat up to four adult passengers. Groups of more than four, or travelers with substantial luggage, should reserve a larger vehicle or use two taxis.

In the Sapporo-Otaru fare area, ordinary-car fares effective December 17, 2025 range from 540 to 600 yen for the first 1.05 km, followed by 100 yen for each 272 to 302 meters.

The exact rate depends on the operator. Major operators including Suzuran and SK use the upper rate of 600 yen for the first 1.05 km and 100 yen for each additional 272 meters. The meter also advances according to time while the taxi is waiting or moving at 10 km/h or less.

A 20% late-night surcharge generally applies between 22.00 and 5.00 am. Operators may also apply a 20% winter surcharge from December 10 through March 26. Under Suzuran and SK rules, the winter and late-night surcharges do not stack. Long-distance discounts vary by operator; Suzuran and SK discount the portion of a metered fare above 7,000 yen by 10%.

Calling or using an app to request a taxi can also add a dispatch fee. Suzuran and SK charge 300 yen, while taxis boarded at a rank or hailed on the street do not incur that fee.

The rear doors of taxi cabs open automatically

Basic Taxi Etiquette

Foreign-language ability varies by driver. Have the destination name and address written in Japanese or ready on a map or phone.
Licensed taxis use meters. The displayed fare may also include approved surcharges, dispatch charges, fixed-route charges or road tolls where applicable.
Tipping is not customary in Japan. Pay the displayed fare.
Cards and other cashless methods are common in Sapporo but are not universal across every vehicle or payment brand. Check the logos displayed in the taxi and carry enough cash as a fallback.
Rear passenger doors are normally opened and closed by the driver, often automatically. Wait for the driver rather than pulling the door yourself.

Sapporo Taxi Companies

The following are examples of local taxi operators and prebooked taxi services. Availability, booking hours, dispatch fees and accepted payments vary.

A Suzuran taxi. Suzuran means “lily of the valley”

Suzuran Kotsu

The taxis of Suzuran Kotsu can be recognized by their rooftop logo which is shaped like a lily of the valley. Suzuran taxis accept major credit cards, transport IC cards, several electronic-money and QR payment services, and GO Pay. Telephone dispatch operates from 05.00 to 22.00; book through GO between 22.00 and 05.00.

Telephone: 011-631-6000
Website: https://suzurankotsu.jp

A Daiichi taxi. The blue logo contains the name “Daiichi” written in the characters 第一

Daiichi Kotsu

Daiichi Kotsu provides a free 24-hour three-way telephone interpreting service for passengers and drivers. It covers 24 languages. Cashless payment options include credit cards, transport IC cards, electronic money and QR payments, but availability varies by region, so confirm the accepted method locally.

Telephone: 011-811-5151
Website: http://sapporo.0152.jp

An SK Hokusei Taxi

SK Hokusei and SK Sanwa

Hokusei Taxi and Sanwa Kotsu are members of the SK Taxi Group and use its common dispatch service. SK taxis can be recognized by the SK sign on their roof. Credit cards, transport IC cards, electronic money and QR payments are available through the in-vehicle payment system; check the displayed options for the particular vehicle.

An SK Sanwa taxi

SK Group Telephone: 011-761-6000
SK Hokusei Website: https://sk-hokusei.jp
SK Sanwa Website: https://sk-sanwa.jp

A Heart Taxi

Heart Taxi

Heart Taxi Travel is a prebooked sightseeing, transfer and charter service. English- or Chinese-speaking drivers can be requested, and a wheelchair-accessible vehicle can be arranged in advance. Cash and major credit cards are accepted for telephone and custom bookings; online sightseeing-plan bookings are paid by credit card. State any language or accessibility requirement when booking.

Telephone: 011-581-2161 (08.00-19.00)
Website: https://heart.taxi/

Boarding a Hello Taxi

Hello Taxi

Hello Taxi operates a 24-hour dispatch center. Its English-language webpage includes reservation guidance and information for visitors, and asks English-speaking customers to arrange a reservation through their hotel. Payment can be made by credit card, cash in Japanese yen or Alipay.

Telephone: 011-888-8686
Website: http://www.hello-taxi.co.jp

All Kojin Taxis can be recognized by their distinctive yellow rooftop logo

Sapporo Kojin Taxi Cooperative

In Japan, kojin (個人) taxis are independently owned rather than operated as one fleet. Sapporo’s independent drivers participate in a cooperative whose website lists sightseeing course ideas and a reservation form. Credit and debit cards are accepted in some member vehicles only, so confirm the payment method before the trip. The cooperative does not provide ordinary telephone taxi dispatch.

Cooperative and sightseeing enquiries: 011-853-7722
Website: https://www.sapporo-kojintaxi.jp