Traveling in Japan Just Got Easier – Try the “nearMe.” Airport Shuttle!

What Is nearMe.?

“nearMe.” is a shared ride service that matches people heading in the same direction, allowing them to travel together in a single vehicle.

The service was born from the founder’s personal frustration: “Even though the last train was still running, the final bus had already left, and the taxi queue was endless…” That experience sparked the idea—“Everyone’s going the same way, yet we’re each taking separate taxis, wasting both time and money.”

This desire to eliminate such inefficiencies led to the creation of nearMe.

Today, nearMe. operates nationwide across Japan, primarily offering airport transfers. It’s a convenient, cost-effective, and comfortable door-to-door service that’s become a favorite among travelers.

This Service Is Made for You If…

• You feel nervous navigating Japan for the first time

• Want to avoid the hassle of hauling big suitcases on the train

• Have flights during late night or early morning hours

• You are on a group trip with friends or family

Why Travelers Love nearMe.

1. Effortless Door-to-Door Rides

No more dragging your suitcase around looking for a taxi or train. nearMe. takes you straight to your hotel or airport terminal.

2. More Affordable Than a Taxi

Thanks to its ride-sharing system, nearMe. is cheaper than taking a taxi—without compromising on comfort.

For just ¥2,980 per person, nearMe. gets you from Shinjuku to Haneda Airport (about 20 km) with door-to-door convenience—around 40% cheaper than a taxi.

Even if it’s slightly pricier than a limousine bus, the comfort and ease are well worth it. (Source: The Nikkei)

3. Clear, Fixed Pricing

With a flat-rate system, the fare is confirmed at the time of online booking. There are no extra charges even if there are highway tolls or detours, and the price remains the same even if other passengers are picked up along the way.

4. Clean and Comfortable Vehicles

nearMe. mainly uses spacious vehicles like Toyota Hiace and Alphard, ensuring a comfortable ride. During off-peak times, you may even have the vehicle all to yourself.

5. Multilingual Support for Peace of Mind

The reservation screen on the app is available in English, Traditional Chinese, and Korean, so even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can use the service with confidence.

6. Earn Miles Every Ride

If you’re flying with JAL, ANA, or Star Flyer, just enter your flight number to automatically earn miles. You can use the miles for future rides.

Main Services Available

• Airport Shuttle (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, etc.): Shared rides with other passengers heading in the same direction.

• City Taxi Service: nearMe. isn’t just for airport trips—you can book taxis across all 23 wards of Tokyo, too!

• Chartered Jumbo Taxi: Prefer your own space? nearMe. also offers private jumbo taxis—great for group tours or when you’d rather not share the ride.
  

I Tried nearMe.! Here’s How It Works and What I Thought

This time, my family and I (three people in total) used nearMe. to travel from Haneda Airport to Akabane Station. We experienced the whole process and got a firsthand look at how convenient the service really is!

How to make a reservation

One of the best parts? You can easily make a reservation using just your smartphone!

1. Tap nearMe

2. Enter your airport, destination, time, number of passengers, and whether you have luggage

※Even if you are not familiar with the airport terminal, it is convenient to enter the date and flight number first and it will be set up automatically!

3. Select carpool or charter and make a reservation

※If you have not yet registered as a member, click “Register and proceed to make a reservation.”

4. When the final confirmation screen is displayed, tap the “Proceed to final confirmation” button to complete the tentative reservation! You will receive an email with a tentative reservation.

This time, thanks to early-bird and first-time user coupons, we saved a whopping ¥2,500 off the price shown in Step 3!
(Discount amounts may vary depending on the campaign or season.)

5. You will receive a reservation confirmation e-mail within 24 hours. You can also check the latest reservation information on My Page.
*You will be contacted separately by around 6:00 p.m. the day before your ride to confirm the departure time and vehicle.

From Reservation to Boarding

This time it took about 15 minutes for the reservation to be confirmed, and the departure time and vehicle were emailed the morning before!

By the way, on the day of the ride, we received a few helpful emails before our scheduled time:

• A heads-up that the shuttle was en route

• A notification from the driver upon arrival

• Instructions on what to do before departure

Each email included helpful details like the vehicle type, license plate number, terminal number for meeting points, and the driver’s contact information.

Thanks to that, we didn’t have to dig through multiple emails—it was super easy to find our ride.

Another great point: we didn’t have to carry our luggage like on a regular bus—the driver helped us with loading and unloading, which made the whole experience even more comfortable.

Tips for Using nearMe.

• Book Early for the Best Price:
  Make your reservation at least 14 days in advance to enjoy early bird discounts.

• Check Service Coverage in Advance:
  nearMe. may not be available in some regional areas, so be sure to confirm service areas beforehand.

• There May Be Stopovers Depending on Other Passengers:
  AI calculates the optimal route, ensuring you won’t miss your flight even with extra stops.

• Free Cancellation Up to 3 Days Before Departure:
  A cancellation fee applies within 48 hours (30% up to 24 hours before, 100% after that).
  Cancellations due to flight delays or cancellations are free.

• Large Luggage? No Problem:
  One suitcase (up to 200 cm in total dimensions) is free.
  You can also bring a stroller, golf bag, or wheelchair.

• Group Discounts Available:
  The more people you travel with to the same destination, the bigger the discount—up to about 70% off per person.

• Try “nearMe.Limo” for Groups:
  For groups of 5 or more, a private ride starts at just ¥4,980 per vehicle (up to 9 passengers).

• Busy Seasons May Sell Out:
  Bookings can be hard to get during peak times—reserve early to secure your spot!

Summary

nearMe. is a safe, comfortable, and cost-effective way to travel—combining the best features of taxis and limousine buses.
It takes the stress out of airport transfers and helps you start your journey in Japan smoothly.
Make your trip even more enjoyable with nearMe.!