Drinking responsibly while stationed at Okinawa means knowing the Taxi and Daiko services and planning ahead. With the “Not One Drop” policy on the island, you do not want to be caught somewhere after a night of drinking with no way home. Whether you decide to take a taxi to start your night or you drive and decide later on to drink and need a ride home, there are many options in Okinawa.

DAIKO

Daiko, which roughly translates to “Do something for someone” in Japanese, is a taxi service offered on or near all of the military bases on the island. It is a taxi service that dispatches two drivers, one to drive you in a taxi and the other to drive your vehicle, both to your final destination.

This service is a great way to drive to your intended destination and if you choose to partake in alcoholic beverages you have a safe option for returning home. The service was updated around 2017 by Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). Prior to that, the daiko taxi service was only available off base. The service is now readily available to those on base, offering English speaking operators. If you are at an establishment off base, you can ask the wait staff to call you a daiko taxi if you don’t have the number for the English speaking line.

The fare for a daiko taxi service will run you about 1.5 times the amount of a regular taxi service. This is significantly cheaper than the price a DUI ticket or an accident will cost you so it is well worth it.

• Daiko Phone: 098-932-4035
  
• Exchange Taxi Service: 098-970-8888
  
• Exchange Taxi Service (on base): 654-8888

Hours

• Daiko: 2000-0500 7 days/week

• Taxi: 24/7

TAXI

There are several options for getting taxis on the island. You can flag it down if you are in a more urban area like Naha, you can check the taxi stand area, you can call directly to the taxi company or you can use an app.

The most popular option for calling a taxi is using an app and the preferred app for taxi service throughout all of Japan is GO (click here for the Apple or Android version). The app allows you to use GPS to track taxis in your area. You can request a taxi nearby, request taxi size and any other requirements you may need.

TAXI SERVICES IN OKINAWA

ON-BASE:

• Kadena Area: 937-3100
• Camp Foster Area: 637-5900
• Camp Courtney Area: 622-5900
• Local Cell: 0120-23-5477

OFF BASE:

• Okito Taxi ~ 098-946-5005 Or 0120-21-5005
• Meiho Taxi ~ 098-937-2467
• Sanyo Taxi ~ 098-936-7027
• Futaba Taxi ~ 098-898-2028
• Toho Taxi ~ 098-936-6393

TIPS, TRICKS AND MANNERS

• Most taxis can accept card but it is always a good idea to carry enough yen with you as card readers tend to be unreliable. If you are using an app, you can upload your credit card information and pay in the car on the app.
• When requesting or calling a taxi, you always want to make sure that you request one with a green license plate. This is a public use taxi car that has set rates throughout all public taxi services. A taxi with a white plate and green frame are privately owned and licensed taxis. Privately owned taxis can raise their rate and add surcharges, so you will find yourself paying more than a regular public taxi.
• Once your taxi has arrived, DO NOT open any doors. Taxis in Japan are equipped with automatic doors on the sidewalk side of the car. The driver will open and close this door themselves. All other doors you are able to open and close on your own.
• While many taxi drivers may know some English, it is best to have your final destination pulled up on your own phone with the address. If the driver is not familiar with the destination, the address will be helpful for them to plug into their GPS to get there.
• Useful words and phrases for using taxis in Okinawa
  • Right: Migi
  • Left: Hidari
  • Straight: Massugu
  • Turn: Magaru
  • Stop: Tomaru
  • Here: Koko
  • Please stop here:Koko de tomete kudasai.
  • How much?: Ikura desuka?
  • Please give me a receipt: Reshiito wo kudasai

Taxi services in Okinawa are clean, safe and reliable services to take advantage of when you need them. Whether it is after a night out with your friends or a ride to the airport, don’t hesitate to utilize this wonderful public transportation system.

Looking for more? Check out these other popular articles on moving to Okinawa.