Completely agree. In Kyoto, where I live, taxis are everywhere and cheap. That’s true even though I’m picky and try to use an MK cab whenever possible (top class of service, IMO).

Cab drivers in Japan usually take pride in their work. It’s not uncommon to see one waiting outside a home and scrambling to meet the passengers at their front door with an open umbrella.

Having said that, in Kyoto, more than anywhere else, a lot of the drivers are crabby I’ve noticed. I think they get tired of dealing with rude tourists day after day.

> Cab drivers in Japan usually take pride in their work

This is more of a Japanese work mentality than cab drivers being some high-skilled craftsman type class of workers. Cab drivers in Japan are generally very overworked and the demographics look quite bad: average age is something like 55, few newcomers because the pay isn't good and the hours are bad.

My friend became a cab driver in his 50s after he got laid off from his career. It’s not an easy gig. Their pride of service is definitely not unique in Japan, but is when compared to other cabbies elsewhere.

> Cab drivers in Japan usually take pride in their work. It’s not uncommon to see one waiting outside a home and scrambling to meet the passengers at their front door with an open umbrella.

Nothing to do with "pride in their work". When there is competition usually what makes the difference is the quality of service or the human touch. A cab ride is pretty much the same from one cab company to the other, so they try to differentiate with other things, such as knowing their regular customers.

> Doesn’t matter, nobody will use it

Yes, that's the same thing I felt when I saw the article. It seems like an app for the wrong time and place.

Now if they had something to reduce the cost of a taxi, like a group taxi app where you may have to book in advance but you pay 1/5th of the normal fare since you share the cab with other people, that may be somewhat interesting. Such services exist but not as an app, as far as I know.

Why do you suppose Sony apparently believes otherwise?

Are taxis there not trying to scam you as it is everywhere in the EU?

I guess it depends on who you ask, but living in Japan I got the impression they're seen as an important role in society. Every taxi I had ever taken had a middle aged man in a business suit driving. I'm not talking about "getting picked up from the airport on business" taxi drivers, I received extremely professional service any time of night from any random street. Others in this thread point out that they're sometimes crabby, but as long as you know the basics of Japanese etiquette I think you're in for a good experience. While a was cautious at first (as any person in a foreign country ought to be), I quickly stopped feeling like I needed to protect myself from scams.

You might encounter a rude driver from time to time, but petty scams (other than bilking old people via phone) are extremely rare in Japan.

From my experience, most people in Japan seem to take a lot of pride in being honorable. Therefore, scams are pretty few and few between in general.

>everywhere in the EU

I've never had issues with taxi drivers trying to scam me in Vienna.

Try Italy, Greece, Spain and Czech Republic to name a few.

I don't like Uber as a company, but I dislike Taxi's in foreign countries a lot more. It is not the foreign part that I dislike, but not knowing the formal and informal rules. What if the meter starts at 5 euros? Is that a normal amount here? What if the meter isn't turned on and the driver insists that I make a deal? Is that normal here? etc. Uber might be more expensive than local taxi's in some places, but at least I know what I get.

I agree, except if you're getting a taxi from the airport, as plenty of drivers will happily add on 10-20€ to your price. I always recommend to visiting friends to shop around for a better price, or to just order online (google: taxi airport vienna and lots of websites will pop-up).

Come to Budapest :)

hint: never get into freelancer taxis.

German taxis are fine.

Interestingly, Uber in Germany (Berlin at least) are taxis

https://www.rbb24.de/content/dam/rbb/rbb/rbb24/2018/2018_10/...

I'd never use Uber

They are, but how do I know that as a tourist? I don't. That is why, on vacation, I prefer Uber et al.

Not really, usually super pricey and try to scam you by taking a longer route.

But you can see the route and price beforehand on the mytaxi or taxi.eu apps? (Which existed before Uber, btw)

Well, ignoring their diesel emissions...