Preparation
Where in the world, can you explore a city, driving…on the road…beside other cars…by go-kart!? Cue Tokyo Drift and Deja Vu (Initial D). Keep reading to learn how to go-kart on Tokyo streets!
If you’re planning a visit to Japan, or live here, doing go-karting on the streets of Tokyo or Osaka takes a bit of planning (not too much). Key thing is that you need a special driver’s license (detailed below), and you really should make a booking (also detailed below). The small amount of prep is totally worth it though, and this is one of those must-do crazy activities in Japan!
What kind of license do you need?
So you’re not on a track, you’re on the road with other cars, you need a driver’s license suitable for Japan. There are a few options:
- Full Japanese Drivers License
- Foreign Driver’s license plus International Driving Permit (issued by a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention) plus Passport. Countries which issue the IDP according to the 1949 Geneva Convention
- Foreign Driver’s license (for individuals with driver’s licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan) plus Passport. You can drive in Japan for 1 year from the date of entry to Japan, provided you carry your license together with the Japanese translation.
- SOFA Driver’s license for US Forces Japan. Alternatively a US Driver’s license plus US military ID is acceptable.
What to wear & can I wear a costume?
If you’re wanting to drive an official Nintendo branded real-life Mario Kart in Japan and dress up as Mario and Luigi, unfortunately you’re out of luck now. Nintendo won a ¥50 million ($450k) copyright lawsuit against a ‘real-life Mario Kart’ company that had Mario-branded everything.
But! All of the go-kart places should still offer free costume rental, just none of them will be Mario Kart branded. AkibaCart (see the company we went with in Booking, below) had about 50 different costumes to choose from. We went with a Pokemon theme and went Charizard, Pikachu, and Snorlax!
Booking
So there used to be heaps of companies offering go-karting on the streets of Tokyo, Osaka and other big cities. But by 2022, most had gone out of business. And the thing with Japan is that businesses don’t update their Google pages, so businesses that have been gone for over a year still appear to be operating, still have their opening hours, contact info, and website up and running.
When trying to book I called the number of a highly rated ‘street go kart Japan’ company on Google, a Japanese guy answered and when I asked if I could make a booking for doing Tokyo karts, he bites my head off screaming down the line at me saying the business doesn’t exist anymore and this is his number now and not to call again! I’m guesing this guy’s been reallocated their old business number and is now getting all these calls in broken Japanese from foreigners haha. Poor guy 🙁
Ok making a reservation. There are only a few places that are still operating. Here is the company I used in Akihabara, Tokyo in October 2022: Street Go Karting Experience in Akihabara booked on Rakuten Travel Experiences. They have a couple of different options: 1 hour for 3500 yen ($24), or 2 hours for 6500 Yen ($45).
Note that the different options operate at different times of the day:
1 hour tour: Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 10:00am or 15:00pm
2 hour tour: Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 12:00pm or 18:00pm
So if you want to do a night tour (recommended), then your only option is a 2 hour tour (18:00). However from mid-November to February (colder months), the night tours may get a bit cold so either rug up or go for a day option. Note you can also rent a GoPro for 4500 yen, though you need to bring your own memory card. If you had your own GoPro you can bring it, though you’d need your own head or chest strap too.
With this company there were no hidden costs, everything was booked and paid for through Rakuten Travel Experiences – website fully in English. They also have a website AkibaCart and you can book via Line Messenger (in Japanese), QR code on their website. Here is an AkibaCart Google Maps link to their location (starting point), though follow any instructions from them in case they move.
FYI I am not affiliated with any go-kart company
Route
This was the route taken on our 2 hour tour of Tokyo. Got to see Akihabara, through Awajicho and Otemachi, passed by the Imperial Palace, around all sides of Tokyo Station, down through Ginza shopping district and back up past Yurakucho Station, through Kokyo Gaien National Gardens, alongside Shiba park and Tokyo Tower, and and then back through Ochanomizu to Akihabara. When cruising, driving around 40km/h. Top speed hit was about 50km/h but cart could go a good bit faster than that.
How to drive a kart on the road in Japan
Japan drives on the left. Normal for me, I think the left is right 🙂 …but we’re well outnumbered. Check out this cool visual
Other road rules to consider, crazy Japanese traffic lights. First time I saw this driving (a car) in Japan I thought, this is how I die… I am going to die being T boned at one of these intersections. Its easier than it looks though, and its the same rule as if there were only one arrow. The arrows trump the light. That is, the arrows take priority so in this case you can go straight, left or right.
The only other specific rule to Japan, well at least different to New Zealand, is around pedestrian crossings. In both countries, pedestrians with a green light have right of way. Though, in NZ the cars wait at the light (or if turning right, wait in the middle of the turning lane in the intersection) while the pedestrians cross. However, in Japan cars will turn into and drive right up into the pedestrian crossing to wait for the pedestrians to cross. As a pedestrian, if you’ve walked around Japan a bit, you will have noticed this. It’s freaky at first!
Be mindful of other road users. It’s like cycling, if you’re in an accident, even if you were in the right, you’re probably going to come out worse off than the car. There’s nothing to worry about though the guide has chosen a safe route and is leading you the entire way.
As a side note, a minority of the locals find the street go-karting to be a nuisance and a disturbance of the peace. Don’t agrivate anyone and you’ll be sweet. The majority will find you entertaining and wave and take pictures of you as you drive past!
What if it rains?
Specifically answering for AkibaCart, they can operate in rain but don’t recommend it. In bad weather you can reschedule without charge. If no alternative date is available for rescheduling, you’ll get a full refund. Please check the rain policy with the company you choose to go with.
Arigato!
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Other ideas for crazy activities to do in Japan
- Kichikichi Omurice – the Instagram superstar chef and pioneer of the ‘cut open’ omlet on rice
- Membaka Ichidai Fire Ramen – did you want fire on your fire?
- PONGConnect – Digital Beer Pong with RFID detection, online stats tracking and leaderboards. The future is already here!
- Darts bars – electronic soft-tip darts with fun game modes
- Try the wild and wacky exotic foods of Japan
- The happiest place on Earth. No, not Disneyland. I’m talking about Don Quijote.
- Japanese Music Festivals
- Kinniku Joshi – Muscle Girls Ikebukuro: hilarious time where all waitresses are bodybuilders!
- Squeeze in a bar that only just fits 4 people – Shinjuki Golden Gai
