Since early 2008, Osaka officials have embarked on a special plan to encourage tourism and travel in their “water city” by establishing Japan’s very first amphibious sightseeing taxi equipped with crew.
Although water taxis have been around for a while, this new breed is like no other; it runs on both land and water, which makes it amphibious as a car (and reptilian if it were an animal).
The water taxi is about 4.7 meters (more than 16 feet) long and is manufactured in Germany. Its ability to float has nothing to do with magic, spirituality or ghostly powers; the bottom of the car is sealed completely.
The maximum speed of the taxi is 140km/h (about 87 miles) on land and 15km/h (9.3 miles) on water.
The taxi can seat up to five persons, including 2 drivers (one for land and the other for water). It is hoped the taxi will boost the tourism trade, but the cost of these taxi cruises are far from cheap. The first hour runs about 19,560 yen ($175 US dollars) and about 8,700 yen (around $78 US dollars) for each thirty minutes thereafter.
Planned tours are provided, but as of yet, life preservers are not considered part of the standard safety gear.
In other words, tour at your own risk.
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