every taxi is a biosphere
with its own, inimitable ( uninhabitable ) smell.
some are repugnant, leave you gasping – they reek of garlic; of tooth decay; unwashed follicles ; of the idiosyncratic concentration of one person’s unique body odour marinated for days weeks years in that same, enclosed space – the poignant, intimate HUMANITY of it all
others are clean ; fragrant, quizzical; pristine, even perfumed
(older Japanese men and their old fashioned hair liquids – aldehydic, warm, woody florals that scent like male, Madame Rochas)
The Black Narcissus 
Some are repugnant, and leave you gasping – they reek of garlic; of tooth decay; of follicles ; of the idiosyncratic concentration of one person’s unique body odour marinated for days weeks years in that same, enclosed space – the poignant, intimate HUMANITY of it all
Love this olfactory glimpse into a Japanese microcosm.
A human microcosm, surely.
Are taxis elsewhere odourless?
All depends on the cabbie. Most, like the lovely man in Duncan’s photo, are sweetly laundered and scrubbed; others (rare) not so much. Occasionally I do enjoy a ride when the interior smells like vindaloo and incense and Chandan Dass is blasting on the radio. These guys are some of the friendliest.
And the photo is perfect.
Actually Duncan took this one last week or so in Tokyo. The driver was so nice, he said (they are often so genteel here; white gloves, the white embroidered doily- like seat covers, the automatic doors) that he asked if he could take this picture.
I wasn’t there, but I am guessing that this well-groomed chappie’s cab was clean and pleasant smelling.
Oh my goodness… I would pray to only catch the sweetest cabs in Tokyo! Loved this pungent post.
Are the cabs completed unpungent in San Francisco?
Well since I have moved to Olympia Washington I have to think back. I can’t recall any that were offensive… but now everyone goes around in Ubers! And they are always super tidy. Cheers!
In terms of tidiness…..my god, Japanese taxis are Titans.
The smell: : it comes entirely down to the particular individual.