The Lucky Taxi

Taxis in Japan are pretty outrageous. I went 4 kilometers (with luggage) from the station to near my house in a taxi, and it was more than 2000 yen (more than 20usd). Where as in Korea, I think I went something like 30 something kilometers, and it cost 42000 won (less than 40 dollars). That was incredible.
Taxis in Korea will start around 2000 yen for about 2 kilos and will then start ticking up. Pretty much there is no reason not to take one when you are in need. (lowest end was 1800 and highest was 3200 that I have ever seen). In Japan the range is about 500 yen to about 700 or 800 yen for starters. And sure you will just say, 'Then just catch the cheap ones'. It is not as easy as you think, because you have to find one first.
In Kyoto there is a certain branch of taxis called Yasaka, which if you have traveled Kyoto, you would know that is also the name of their famous shrine at the end of the Gion district, the one that Gion Matsuri seems to revolve around. Well this branch of taxi is symbolized by their 3 leaf clove over head of their cars. Japanese peopel seem to really have a thing for clovers. This happens to be one of the largest taxi copanies in Kyoto, I would say there are three big ones (and probably about 15 total) in Kyoto, and I would say that MK, Yasaka, and one more I have yet to learn the name of, seem to be the largest. So you can imagine, there are thousands of taxis. Remember, Japanese people largely rely on public transportation and not everyone owns a car. So taxis can come in handy, especially if you are traveling with large luggage or are traveling after the hours of public transportation (or live like in the inaka!).
Back to the topic, the Yasaka taxi service. So there are thousands of taxis in this one chain all with 3 leave clover little headings, but what the average traveler does not see, is the 4 leave clover taxi. The lucky taxi. There are exactly 3 taxis in this company that have the 4 leaf clover embelem ebmlazoned on their cars. These cars are said to be driven by exceptional drivers. I have no idea what the requirements are to be known as the taxi driver of their car, but I am sure an unblemished record is one of the things. And the cool thing is, is that it cost nothing more to ride in this one as opposed to a 3 leaf taxi. In addition, they will give you a little sticker that you can only get from riding in this car. Cute right?
So what is more awesome than driving in the lucky taxi? There is exactly one taxi that is completely in the S-class (a Japanese thing that means like super or special or something. basically AWESOME) all of its own. It has a pink four leaf clover sigil on its car and heading. I have only seen this car exactly one time, and until then had no idea of its existance.