| Tokyo Taxi | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Japanese | TOKYOタクシー |
| Directed by | Yoji Yamada |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Story by |
|
| Produced by | Fusa Shunsuke |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Chikamori Masashi |
| Edited by | Hiroshi Sugimoto |
| Music by | Iwasaki Taisei |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Shochiku |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
| Box office | US$1,870,500[1] |
Tokyo Taxi (TOKYOタクシー) is a 2025 Japanese drama film co-written and directed by Yoji Yamada. The film, a remake of 2022 French-Belgian drama film Driving Madeleine is produced by Shochiku. Starring Chieko Baisho and Takuya Kimura, the film tells a story that celebrates the joys of life in the ever-changing metropolis of Tokyo.[2][3]
The film had its Asian Premiere at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 29, 2025, in Centerpiece.[4][5]
Synopsis
[edit]Koji Usami, a hardworking Tokyo taxi driver facing financial pressures, is hired by 85-year-old Madame Takano Sumire for a ride to a nursing home in Hayama, Kanagawa. Initially unfriendly, the two gradually warm to each other during the trip. At Sumire's request, they make several detours around Tokyo, allowing her to revisit meaningful places from her past. As the day unfolds, she shares memories of personal loss and hardship. Their shared journey becomes a turning point, leaving a lasting emotional impact on both.
Cast
[edit]- Chieko Baisho as Sumire Takano
- Yu Aoi as young Sumire
- Takuya Kimura as Kôji Usami
- Takaya Sakoda as Takeshi Ogawa, Sumire's husband
- Yuka as Kaoru Usami, Kôji Usami's wife
- Runa Nakashima as Nana Usami
- Misuzu Kamino as Nobuko Takano
- Lee Jun-young as Kim Young-gi
- Takashi Sasano as Seiichiro Abe
- Sanma Akashiya as Sada, a colleague of Koji (voice)[6]
- Shinobu Otake as Keiko, the older sister of Koji (voice)[7]
Production
[edit]On January 23, 2025 Shochiku announced production of director Yoji Yamada 91st film, Tokyo Taxi starring Chieko Baisho and Takuya Kimura in lead roles.[8]
Principal photography took place in Tokyo and surrounding areas between February and April 2025.[2]
The film was shot on location in Shibamata and Yokohama. It utilized a new technology On-set virtual production for the scenes inside the moving taxi, which made up the majority of the film.[9]
Release
[edit]Tokyo Taxi had its Asian premiere at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 29, 2025, in Centerpiece.[10]
A release ceremony to commemorate Yamada Yoji's 91st film took place on October 20 at Tokyo Tower in Minato, Tokyo. Director Yamada attended the event along with cast members Chieko Baisho and Takuya Kimura.[11]
The film will be presented in Limelight at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam for its European premiere in February 2026.[12]
The film was released on November 21, 2025, in Japanese theatres by Shochiku.[13]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikkan Sports Film Awards | 28 December 2025 | Best Film | Tokyo Taxi | Nominated | [14] |
| Best Director | Yoji Yamada | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Takuya Kimura | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Chieko Baisho | Nominated | |||
| Mainichi Film Awards | 10 February 2026 | Best Cinematography | Shinji Chikamori | Pending | [15] |
References
[edit]- ^ "山田洋次監督作『TOKYOタクシー』が初登場1位! 3位に『果てしなきスカーレット』もランクイン(2025年11月21日-11月23日)" [Director Yoji Yamada's "Tokyo Taxi" debuts at No. 1! "Endless Scarlet" also ranked in at No. 3 (November 21-23, 2025) (November 25, 2025)]. Kogyo Tsushinsha (in Japanese). November 25, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ a b 倍賞千恵子×木村拓哉、実写作品で初共演「カッコ良さ変わらない」「咲き続ける花」【山田洋次監督の最新作「TOKYOタクシー」制作発表】 [Baisho Chieko and Kimura Takuya co-star for the first time in a live-action film: "They're still as cool as ever" and "A flower that continues to bloom" [Production announcement for director Yamada Yoji's latest film, "TOKYO Taxi"]]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). January 23, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ "Tokyo Taxi". Tokyo International Film Festival. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Shackleton, Liz (October 1, 2025). "Tokyo Film Festival Unveils Competition Line-Up With World Premieres From Rithy Panh, Amos Gitai, Chong Keat Aun & Zhang Lu". Deadline. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Patrick Brzesk (October 21, 2025). "Tokyo Film Festival to Honor Yoji Yamada With Lifetime Achievement Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ 明石家さんま、「TOKYOタクシー」で憧れの山田組に初参加 木村拓哉、山田洋次監督との豪華3ショット＆メイキング映像公開 [Akashiya Sanma joins his long-awaited Yamada team for the first time in "TOKYO Taxi"; gorgeous three-shot with Kimura Takuya and director Yamada Yoji & behind-the-scenes footage released]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). September 30, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ 大竹しのぶ「TOKYOタクシー」で27年ぶりに山田洋次作品に出演＆木村拓哉と初共演！ 「ああ、やっぱり山田組っていいな」 [Shinobu Otake appears in a Yamada Yoji film for the first time in 27 years in "TOKYO Taxi" and co-stars with Takuya Kimura for the first time! "Ah, Yamada's work is always great."]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ 木村拓哉、山田洋次監督と19年ぶりタッグ！「TOKYOタクシー」で倍賞千恵子と共闘 [Takuya Kimura teams up with director Yoji Yamada for the first time in 19 years! Teams up with Chieko Baisho in "Tokyo Taxi"]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). January 23, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ 山田洋次監督＆倍賞千恵子が熱いハグ、木村拓哉は颯爽とした運転で一発OK 「TOKYOタクシー」撮影現場レポート [Director Yoji Yamada and Chieko Baisho share a warm hug, while Takuya Kimura's dashing driving gets him a thumbs up in one shot - "TOKYO TAXI" filming site report]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Matt Schley (October 1, 2025). "Tokyo reveals lineup with Chong Keat Aun, Rithy Panh, Amos Gitai world premieres". ScreenDaily. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ 倍賞千恵子「運転がお上手」 木村拓哉が運転のタクシーに乗って登場【「TOKYOタクシー」公開記念セレモニー】 [Baisho Chieko: "You're a great driver." Kimura Takuya appears in a taxi driven by her driver at the "TOKYO TAXI" release ceremony.]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ "Tokyo Taxi". International Film Festival Rotterdam. November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ^ "TOKYOタクシー" [Tokyo Taxi]. Eiga (in Japanese). January 23, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ "【映画大賞】「国宝」が7部門で11ノミネート、「宝島」が6部門／ノミネート全リスト" [[Movie Awards] "National Treasure" received 11 nominations in seven categories, and "Treasure Island" received six. / Full list of nominees]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ^ "毎日映画コンクール「国宝」が最多10部門ノミネート! 主演俳優賞候補に吉沢亮、来年1・16各賞発表". Sponichi (in Japanese). December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
