タクシー
たくしー
takushii
= taxi / cab
タクシー (takushii) is the Japanese word for taxi — and Japanese taxis are famous worldwide for their immaculate cleanliness, white-gloved drivers, and automatic doors that open and close without passenger intervention.
Takushii comes from the English word ‘taxi’ and refers to hired passenger cars with meters. To hail a taxi, you raise your hand at the roadside or go to a タクシー乗り場 (takushii noriba — taxi stand). Common phrases: タクシーを拾う (takushii wo hirou — to hail a taxi), タクシーに乗る (takushii ni noru — to get in a taxi), メーターが上がる (meetaa ga agaru — the meter goes up), タクシーで行く (takushii de iku — to go by taxi). Ride-hailing apps like Uber have entered Japan but coexist with the established licensed taxi system.
Japanese taxis have automatic doors — the driver controls them remotely. Do not try to open or close the door yourself. The front passenger seat is available for passengers. Payment at the end is typically by cash or card (most taxis now accept both). Late-night taxis in major cities add a 割増料金 (warimashi ryoukin — surcharge) after midnight, which can make them significantly more expensive.
Everyday use
終電を逃したのでタクシーで帰った。
Shuden wo nogashita node takushii de kaetta.
I missed the last train so I went home by taxi.
Casual / Social Media
終電ないしタクシー代高いし困った〜誰かいる？笑
Shuden nai shi takushii dai takai shi komatta~ dareka iru? w
No last train and taxi prices are crazy — I’m stuck lol, anyone around?
Formal / Cultural context
日本のタクシー業界は高い接客水準と清潔さで知られており、訪日外国人から高い評価を得ている。
Nihon no takushii gyoukai wa takai sekkyaku suijun to seiketsu-sa de shirarrete ori, hounichi gaikokujin kara takai hyouka wo ete iru.
Japan’s taxi industry is known for its high standard of service and cleanliness, earning high praise from international visitors.
Japanese taxis are internationally recognized as some of the cleanest, most reliable, and most formal in the world. Drivers wear uniforms — often black suits, white gloves, and caps — and the vehicles are immaculately maintained. The automatic door (自動ドア, jidou doa) is a defining feature: the driver opens it remotely when the taxi stops, and closes it when the passenger is seated. Reaching for the door handle is a common mistake among foreign visitors that always surprises Japanese taxi drivers.
Taxis occupy a specific cultural space in Japanese cities. They are used primarily for late nights when trains have stopped (終電後, shuden go), for trips with heavy luggage, in bad weather, or when traveling to destinations poorly served by public transport. Because Japan has one of the world’s best urban rail networks, taxis are supplementary rather than primary transportation — making them feel slightly luxurious or last-resort depending on context. This gives タクシーで帰る (going home by taxi) a slightly indulgent connotation in casual conversation.
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