The reason why white-collar workers flock to Shibuya’s “popular spot” in the forest if they want to hide a tree.

White-collar workers are gathering in Shibuya!

The problem of unlicensed taxi drivers has caused a stir everywhere from Tokyo’s gateways such as Narita and Haneda to the bay area lined with tower condominiums. The white-cab drivers have been involved in illegal activities in order to make a profit, and in Tokyo, it has become a battle between detection and new business.

Among these, Shibuya Ward is said to be the area where a large number of white-collar taxi drivers are said to be operating. As is well known, Shibuya is one of Japan’s most popular downtown areas, bustling with inbound tourists and frequently the scene of problems, such as violations of tourist etiquette. Why do these white-collar workers gather in Shibuya? We visited the area to find out.

Many of the white taxis gather on Bunka-mura-dori Street, which runs from Shibuya 109 to the main Shibuya store of MEGA Don Quijote. At night, the sides of the street are lined with suspicious-looking vans parked on the side of the road. In this area, modified vehicles such as those driven by scribes and luxury vehicles are also parked on the street, so it is not so conspicuous when a white van waits for customers.

When we approached the driver of a van that was parked nearby, which appeared to be used for work, he told us, “There are often white-collar taxi drivers in this area.

I work in the interior design industry and often come to this area. At night, I get the impression that there are a lot of people who come here to show off their vehicles, including these contractors and white-collar taxis, as well as modified vehicles.

Many of the construction and equipment vehicles are vans like the Hiace, so it’s hard for white-collar workers to be detected if they park there. I don’t see many luxury-oriented white-taxis like the Alphard, but I often come across minivans that can seat about seven people and are carrying tourists.”

According to this man, many of the white taxis gather around the area in front of MEGA Donki and pick up customers as they come out. In fact, in front of MEGA Donki, we encountered a car giving a ride to a foreign tourist.

They can wait for customers safely.”

Why do the white taxis gather on Bunka-mura-dori? When we attempted to interview the driver of what we assumed to be a white taxi, he was a Chinese man who was unexpectedly friendly and willing to talk. He told me that he was doing business in this area because no one minded if he parked on the street and because he had customers.

He said, “Lots of cars are parked on the street and regular cabs are also parked here. I can wait for customers in relative safety without my car being suspected. Besides, there are many people in Shibuya who want to ride in white taxis, so I have no problem with customers. Customers say that it is easier to ride in a cab than in a regular cab, where only Japanese is spoken, because foreign languages are spoken comparatively.

In addition, Japanese trains are crowded and complicated, and if you are not familiar with them, you may end up going to a different place than where you originally want to go. If that is the case, many people prefer to take a taxi from the beginning,” said a taxi driver.

According to a customer he once picked up, “Japanese cabs do not communicate in foreign languages” and “I was ripped off by a taxi driver who made me take a detour.

The driver also said that there is a common denominator among those who take white taxis in the Shibuya area.

Foreigners always go to MEGA Don Quijote at the end of sightseeing or shopping to buy sweets and daily necessities that can only be found in Japan. That is how popular Don Quijote in Japan is for foreigners as a shopping spot where they can also go sightseeing. Also, many calls are made in front of Don Quijote. This is probably due to the fact that the Shibuya Donki sign is easily recognizable, making it easy to meet up with someone.

After riding in a white taxi in Shibuya, the passengers return to their hotels or private residences. Many stop by Don Quijote just before returning home, and many take a taxi from Shibuya to the airport or to Tokyo Station, where the Shinkansen bullet train stops. Some of them even take a taxi from Shibuya to Yokohama Station.

Hakutaku are operating without a license from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and their management system is sloppy. Drivers are not properly trained, insurance policies remain the same as those for private vehicles, etc. In the event of a traffic accident, medical treatment and compensation may not be paid. It is no exaggeration to say that it is dangerous just to drive.

If you want to hide a tree, go in the woods. If you want to hide your car, go to a street with many parked cars. Shirataku” taxi services seem to be thriving in Shibuya, and many inbound customers are using them. Despite the media coverage, the drivers seem to have no qualms about their illegal business.

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