If there is one thing that confuses me more than anything else in this quirky little island nation, it is taxis. Now, I know you are thinking, what on earth can be confusing about a taxi? You get in, state your destination, get driven there, pay your fare and get out, what could be simpler? Well, it is not the using of the taxi that is confusing, in fact I’ve not used one in this visit, so I can’t tell you how to call/ hail a Japanese cab. No, what confuses me about taxis in this country is their décor.
Now, I know at this point you are thinking that I have finally lost it, but I haven’t, honestly. You see many of the older taxis in Tokyo are done up to look like your grandmother’s parlour. The seats are covered in frilly, lacey, I want to say doilies, is that a word? I wouldn’t be surprised if inside there is a little mantlepiece adorned with knick-knacks; a frog made from clay by one of the grandchildren, a bowl from Majorca and a glass eye and there’s the faint smell of talcum powder. The drivers all wear uniforms, and white gloves that make them look like they want to polish your balls (snooker reference).
Why? Why are taxis so ornate? Are the driver’s going to serve afternoon tea halfway through your journey? Are they expecting the Queen to pop in? It’s an oddity and it is one of the things that makes Japan special.
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