For whatever reason, I have always been fascinated by taxis in other countries. To me they say a lot about a place, almost like a mirror. Every taxi is a small melting pot of the city it drives in: its streets, its people, its habits and its taste. A big part of that, for me, is simply how they look.
In Japan, taking a taxi is a whole other level of experience. The rear door opens on its own as the car pulls up. The driver wears a uniform and white gloves and treats the ride as work worth doing well. I found them professional, helpful and kind, however short the trip.
What makes it even more special is how Japanese taxis look. Many are Toyota Crown Comforts, square sedans that have barely changed since the 1990s, kept spotless inside and out. They are beautiful to look at and to sit in, regardless of how old they are. That is a big part of why I kept photographing them.
Takushī (タクシー) is the Japanese word for taxi, borrowed from English.
