Why do Japanese taxi drivers wear white gloves?

While drivers no longer need to stick their hands out of windows to signal, the preference for white gloves persists. I feel more professional when I'm wearing white gloves, one taxi driver told me. It looks smarter too. A bus driver said he wears white gloves because they look clean and trustworthy.



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Japan does not have a tipping culture and drivers neither expect nor accept money in excess of the fare displayed on the meter. They will not accept haggling either. Cash is the safest way to pay, though an increasing number of taxis now also take IC cards like Pasmo and Suica as well as credit cards.

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Don't bother reaching out to open the backseat door?this is controlled by the driver and it will swing open automatically for you. No Smoking is allowed within the taxis. If you would like to consume food within the taxi, it would be polite to ask even though the driver will usually give their consent.

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However, becoming a taxi or bus driver in Japan requires a special class 2 driver's license, in addition to an ordinary class 1 license. This can be challenging to obtain for foreign nationals. It remains unclear whether expanding the specified skilled worker visa will be effective at addressing the driver shortage.

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Most Japanese taxi drivers do not speak English, so you should try and show the driver a name card showing your destination in Japanese characters, or point out the place you wish to go on a map. Japanese cabs also now often have SAT NAV which will aid finding your destination if you know the telephone number of the ...

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Many taxis accept payment by credit card, and an increasing number accept payment by IC card, such as Suica. Stickers on the door often indicate accepted payment methods. When paying in cash, try to avoid paying small amounts with large bills. Tipping is not done in Japan.

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