Go-Karting in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know

The options for seeing Tokyo are varied—from busy trains to taxis, and of course cheapo-friendly feet. But what if you want something different? How about riding a go-kart through the streets of Tokyo? Yes, this is something you can actually do! Read on to find out how.

Wait, wasn’t street go-karting banned in Japan? Nope! You can most definitely go-kart in Tokyo, Osaka and some other parts of the country. For example, you can take this go-kart tour of Asakusa, Skytree and Akihabara, slightly longer Akihabara and glitzy Ginza go-kart tour, or an epic two-hour go-kart tour around Tokyo Bay, through Headout. Availability can vary between go-kart experience providers, particularly during peak travel seasons, so we recommend checking the table below.

Go-karting in Tokyo: How it works

While go-karting around Tokyo sounds wacky and carefree, it is not the sort of activity you can just do on a whim. It takes some prior planning.

The first thing you need to do is confirm that you have the correct driver’s license (more on that below). You also need to be 18 years of age or older.

Then you need to book a tour online, in advance. Depending on the provider and time of year, you’ll need to book between 2 days and 1 month ahead!

At the shop, you’ll get a brief tutorial on driving the karts. (It’s different from a car, as you’ll use a different foot for the gas and for the brakes).

Before scorching the tarmac, you can stash your belongings in a locker at the shop and change into your costume, which is usually included in the price.

In most cases, the tour guide will set the pace and the route, so you don’t need to worry about taking a wrong turn and ending up in, say, Hokkaido.

Important: Driving is on the left side of the road in Japan.

Also make sure to show up for your tour on time — or it might leave without you!

Tokyo go-kart tickets

One of the most popular and inexpensive Tokyo go-kart options is this Akihabara go karting experience on Rakuten Travel Experiences, priced at ¥9,000. It is also bookable on Viator and at a slightly more expensive price (¥12,000)
via Klook.

You’ll likely need to book at least a couple of weeks in advance during peak times.

Another popular option is this go-kart tour of Asakusa, Skytree and Akihabara. The tour comes with free photography and costs ¥15,000.

Whatever you choose, be sure to read the fine print, especially about cancellations. There’s no reason you can’t drive a go-kart in the rain, but you probably don’t want to.

Not in Tokyo? Japan go-kart tours are also available in:

• Osaka
• Okinawa

Go-kart locations in Tokyo

There’s quite a bit of choice — whether you want to cruise by Shibuya Crossing or drive through the Akiba gaming district, here’s a quick overview of the main go-karting locations in Tokyo.

Getting kitted out to go-kart in Tokyo

If you’re going to zoom through the streets, you’ll need some accessories—either for safety or fun. Rentals typically include a face-guard mask and shades, to protect you from dust or other irritants the street might kick up, plus your favorite costume.

All the operators mentioned in this article include costume rental in the price, but no all of them have Mario character costumes. However, if there’s a specific character on your go-kart bucket list, you can probably buy it yourself quite cheaply at the variety store Donki.

Depending on the shop, you can also sometimes rent LED shoes, a bluetooth speaker or a 4K action camera. Memory cards might also be available if you need one—just ask.

One great element is that the shops don’t prevent you from bringing your own cameras, costumes or anything else — and don’t charge you either, so you can use your own equipment as you please.

Go-karting in Tokyo: Safety precautions

Riding through the streets at knee-level might seem a bit dangerous when confronted with trucks, boy-racers, and never-re-tested pensioner-drivers, but the rental companies do have safety measures in place. Accident insurance is included, and there are some general rules to follow that are designed to keep you alive that little bit longer.

Rules:

• No racing allowed
• Dress appropriately: no heels, sandals, or long skirts allowed
• Follow your guide’s advice and route, including hand gestures and speed

Editor’s note: I have tried this (in the name of research) and frankly found it terrifying, even though the tour I participated in was conducted responsibly. Just that, well, riding through the streets at knee-level alongside trucks is terrifying. But everyone else seemed to be having fun, so I guess it’s just me.

What license do you need to drive a go-kart in Japan?

Although it might look like a game, this adventure takes place on real-life streets and is regulated by Japanese law. Anyone wanting to drive a “Mario Kart” in Tokyo will need to have one of the following:

• A full Japanese driving license
• An International Driving Permit (used with your passport and home country license)
  • This permit can only be obtained outside of Japan and lasts for one year from the date of entry to Japan and/or issuance. It is easy to get, for example, it can be obtained from the AAA for around $20 in America.
  • It must be issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention; the permit cannot be issued under the 1926 Paris Convention, the 1943 Washington Convention, or the 1968 Vienna Convention.
• A SOFA driving license for members of US military forces in Japan
  • An American driving license with US military ID is also acceptable.
• A foreign driving license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Estonia, Taiwan, Slovenia, or Monaco. Residents of these countries are allowed to drive in Japan for one year from entry, provided they have a Japanese translation by an authorized organization. Bring these two documents and your passport with you. Pro tip: You can get your license translated here.

What about the non-drivers?

If you can’t drive, don’t have the paperwork, or just don’t trust yourself (or others) on the road, you can still take part in the fun. There is sometimes an option for a non-driver to travel in a special tuk-tuk or convertible to take photos of the team. The boarding fee of approximately ¥3,000 may be waived if the person travels in the same car as the staff. If that isn’t available, you can always park yourself at a cafe along the driving route and wave as the go-karts cruise past.

A word of warning before you roar off

There have been a few incidents with people driving a go-kart in Tokyo, including a hit-and-run with a cyclist and some very, very dodgy driving on very busy roads. It can’t be stated enough that you need to drive responsibly at all times. Enjoy the experience, but keep in mind that you need to be extremely careful—and also respectful of your surroundings. Some go-karts have been getting on the nerves of local residents, so try to keep the peace.

Copyright issues: A couple of years ago, Mari Mobility (the old MariCar company) found itself in very hot water with a certain video game company. Fortunately for folks wanting to rent a street kart in Tokyo, they weren’t the only provider on the block.

While we do our best to keep things current, all prices and other details are subject to change. Last updated in March, 2023.