Tokyo's taxis are distinguished by the color of their license plates and lights. Licensed taxis use green license plates while privately owned cars use white and yellow plates. Vacant cabs display the characters “kuusha”, or “empty car” in red LEDs in the front window.

Taxis in Japan are famous for their vibrant and diverse color palette, as there is no single national standard for cab colors. Instead, colors are determined by individual taxi companies or associations. You will frequently see bright orange, deep blue, yellow, and green vehicles patrolling the streets. However, in major cities like Osaka and Tokyo, black taxis have become increasingly common because they are often utilized for both standard fares and higher-end limousine services. A distinctive feature of Japanese taxis, regardless of color, is the automatic rear door operated by the driver and the "vacant" (空車 - kūsha) sign displayed in red on the dashboard. Many taxis also feature ornate "行灯" (andon) roof lights that identify the company and glow when the cab is available, contributing to the neon-lit aesthetic of Japanese cityscapes at night.