Uber is generally not "cheap" in Japan and often costs the same as, or slightly more than, a traditional taxi. This is because Japanese law heavily regulates ridesharing; "Uber Share" with private drivers is largely prohibited. Instead, the Uber app primarily serves as a hailing platform for licensed taxi companies or luxury "Black Van" services. While the base fare is comparable to standard taxis—usually around 500 to 700 yen for the first segment—Uber often adds a "booking fee" or "dispatch fee" that can make it more expensive than flagging a cab on the street. The real value of Uber in Japan lies in the convenience: the app allows for cashless payments, features a built-in translator for communicating with the driver, and provides upfront pricing. If you are looking for the absolute cheapest way to get around, Japan’s world-class public transit (trains and buses) remains the winner. However, Uber is a great "late-night" tool because, unlike many traditional Japanese taxis, Uber Black services sometimes do not apply the standard 20% nighttime surcharge (10 PM – 5 AM).