Sightseeing taxi

Sightseeing Taxi Tour Plans

If you’re planning sightseeing in the Joetsu area, leave it to I.M. Taxi!

The Joetsu region of Niigata Prefecture has long been a vital hub for transportation and is rich in historical significance.

Once home to the ancient provincial capital of Echigo, Joetsu is known as the place of exile for Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. During the Sengoku period, it was the stronghold of the legendary warlord Kenshin Uesugi. Later, in the Edo period, it became the domain of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s sixth son, Matsudaira Tadateru. The area remained central to Echigo’s governance throughout history. In modern times, it gained recognition as the birthplace of railways in Niigata, the birthplace of skiing in Japan, and the hometown of influential figures such as Maejima Hisoka (father of Japan’s postal system), Kawakami Zenbei (pioneer of Japanese wine), and poet Ogawa Mimei (known as the “Andersen of Japan”).

While Joetsu City is full of fascinating historical and cultural sites, they are spread across a wide area, making it difficult for travelers without a car to explore efficiently. That’s why I.M. Taxi offers sightseeing taxi services—to help more people discover the charm of Joetsu in comfort and convenience.

Since the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2015, access from the Tokyo metropolitan area has become even easier.
We warmly welcome you to explore the Joetsu and Myoko areas with I.M. Taxi as your travel companion.

We are a registered travel agency (Category 3).

I.M. Taxi is officially licensed for sightseeing taxi services (Travel Agency No. 3-341).
Our staff actively participates in local tourism studies, such as the Kenshin-Kanetugu Certification and the “Three Castle Story” Certification.
We regularly hold internal meetings focused on tourism to deepen our knowledge of local attractions.

[Photo: Company training session – Each staff member presents their recommended route while others learn and share knowledge.]

How to Use Our Service

The process is simple and consists of the following steps:

1. Reservation

Select your desired sightseeing area and make a reservation. You can also combine spots from different courses.
Reservations can be made by phone (025-523-3188) or through our reservation form.
Please contact us at least 3 days before your preferred date.
For urgent bookings, please call us directly.

2. Course Confirmation

Our staff will contact you to confirm meeting time and details. Once the route is finalized, we will inform you of the fare.
*Please note that advance payment is not available.

3. Tour Day

Please arrive at your chosen departure point at the reserved time and speak to the I.M. Taxi driver waiting for you.
If you are running late, please contact us by phone as soon as possible. (025-523-3188)

4. Payment

Upon arrival at your final destination, please pay the fare as quoted.
We accept both cash and major credit cards.

The following credit card brands are accepted:

Important Notes

• Admission fees for attractions, meals, and other personal expenses are not included in the fare.
• Travel time may vary depending on weather and road conditions.
• If you wish to modify the route, departure/destination, or add sightseeing spots, please inform us during the consultation or in the “Notes” section of the reservation form.
• If you require a child seat, please mention it when booking or in the “Notes” section of the reservation form.
• Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance.
• Response time for email inquiries may vary depending on workload.
• For cancellations, please notify us at least 2 days prior to the scheduled date. Same-day cancellations may incur a cancellation fee.
• Some destinations may be closed or inaccessible due to snow or seasonal conditions. Please check in advance with I.M. Taxi.