Traveling in buses, cars, trains, and helicopters is outdated. How about trying something new? Say a go-kart? Japan, primarily Tokyo, offers go-kart tours to visitors during peak tourist seasons. They offer a unique experience and are definitely something you must try for once in this Asian country.
Many things set Japan’s go-kart experience apart from others. For starters, riders can dress or cosplay as their favorite characters. Imagine riding your go-kart down the bustling streets of Shibuya while cosplaying as an anime character. Don’t worry about judgmental stares; cosplaying is typical in Tokyo. Likewise, separate go-karting locations in Japanese districts make it easier for riders to navigate busy traffic. Let’s explore the best go-kart tour in Japan in this blog.
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What Is Tokyo Go-Kart Tour?
Have you heard of a Mario go-kart tour? Those who played Mario Kart games must be familiar with the term. Guess what? You can ride a real Mario go-kart in Tokyo’s busy streets. The procedure is relatively easy; your guide will be throughout your karting journey.
A go-kart Tokyo tour usually starts with a short briefing from your guide about the dos and don’ts. These include dressing appropriately, following the guide’s advice and route, and abiding by speed limitations. Go-kart racing in Tokyo is not allowed. You can only ride your vehicle at a moderate pace with others.
Go-karting is not a new tourist activity in Japan. In addition to Tokyo, Osaka and Okinawa offer visitors plenty of karting experiences. The prices vary based on the tour’s duration, costume rental, and other offers. Still, Mario go-kart tours could cost from ¥7,200 to ¥16,500 in Tokyo and from ¥14,000 onwards in Osaka. Don’t look at prices; these expeditions are worth your money and time.
Check These Handpicked Activities:
- 90 min Tokyo Go-Kart: Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Tower *IDP MUST*
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Can You Go-Kart In Tokyo?
Contrary to popular belief, karting is not banned in Japan. You can enjoy Mario Go Kart Tour Tokyo if you have a driver’s license and are 18 or older. In addition, visitors must book tours or tickets online in advance. You will find many options on Viator, GetYourGuide, and Headout.
Riders must follow their guide’s instructions and drive on the left side of the road. They can choose a tour from available go-kart locations. The best go-karting spots in Tokyo are Akihabara, Shibuya, Asakusa, and Tokyo Bay. The travel duration is usually 1 to 2 hours.
Explore The Best Japan Go-Kart Tours
Having built up so much suspense, it’s time to explore the best Japan go-kart tours.
Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya
The first on our list is the Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya. This 1.5-hour tour is in English and includes everything you can expect from a well-planned go-kart tour. For instance, your guide will meet you in Street Kart Shibuya at your preferred time. Afterward, you will drive your karts through the infamous Shibuya Crossing.
This tour takes visitors on an epic ride through Japan’s fashionable Harajuku street and the prominent shopping district of Omotesando. They will see numerous youths donning street and kawaii fashion in the former street. Likewise, travelers can stop by Omotesando and buy souvenirs in its numerous boutiques and department stores. Don’t forget to try Shibuya’s local delicacies.
Official Street Go-Kart Tour: Akihabara
Go Karting In Tokyo is incomplete without a trip to the city of anime, Akihabara. Make the most of your trip with the Official Street Go-Kart Tour: Akihabara. This five-star-rated Viator offer is one to one hour and thirty minutes long and is in English. Since you are at the epicenter of anime, you must ride your go-kart cosplaying as a character of your choice from anime, manga, or games.
You won’t have to worry about getting lost, as your professional guide will lead you through Akihabara’s busy streets. The tour passes by Tokyo Station, Ginza, and Akihabara. After your journey ends, you can explore Akihabara’s indoor arcades, maid cafes, cat cafes, and electronic stores. Overall, it will be a fruitful journey.
Tokyo Go-Kart Rental With Local Guide From Akihabara
Looking for a Tokyo go-kart rental with a local guide in Akihabara? Then, this Tokyo Go Kart Rental With Local offer is your best solution. It is perfect for otakus and anime lovers looking to explore the beauty of this anime city. In addition, this Viator offer provides go-kart rentals at affordable prices. You must have an international driver’s permit or a Japanese driving license.
This tour is in English and Japanese languages. Your guide will lead you through Akihabara’s scenic spots for sightseeing. While there are no hard and fast rules for go-karting, this activity is not wheelchair accessible. Likewise, pregnant travelers and those with heart problems or severe medical conditions are advised not to travel.
Tokyo: City Go-Karting Tour With Shibuya Crossing And Photos
There are many options for the Go Kart Tour: Shibuya. Hence, we have handpicked this City Go-Karting Tour With Shibuya Crossing And Photos, a one-hour private tour customized for small groups. You will glide through the iconic Shibuya Crossing, where 1,000 to 2,500 people cross the intersection every two minutes. In addition, you will explore Harajuku and Shinjuku along the way.
Make your trip more exciting by dressing up as a Pikachu, Doraemon, or any of your favorite cartoons. Another vouching point of this GetYourGuide tour is its photo sessions. Your guide will stop you at iconic photogenic spots and snap your beautiful images with unique poses. On returning to the meeting point, your guide will email or airdrop your photos.
Official Street Go-Kart Tour In Asakusa
(Source: Viator)
Next on our list of the best go-kart tours in Japan is the Official Street Go-Kart Tour In Asakusa. This five-star Viator tour is 1 to 1.5 hours long and in English. Its small group size ensures you don’t get lost while its go-karts beat the crowds on public transport. Another vouching point is its flexibility, allowing visitors to pick their departure times throughout the day.
Likewise, this Viator tour offers costume rentals for characters from computer games, anime, and comics. The group will first pass by Asakusa’s main attraction, Senso-ji Temple. This Buddhist shrine is the most-visit location and ranks among the free Tokyo attractions. Likewise, you will pass by Japan’s tallest structure, Tokyo Skytree. Learn more about this gigantic tower in this blog.
2 Hours Go Kart Experience In East Tokyo
Go for an extended Tokyo go-kart tour with this 2 Hours Go Kart Experience in East Tokyo. Former visitors rated this Viator offer five stars, reviewing it as an excellent, unique, and fun tour. It will be a memorable way to see this neon-lit metropolitan city. In addition, this offer covers significant East Tokyo neighborhoods, including Asakusa, Ginza, and Nihonbashi.
Like other karting tours, this 2-hour karting expedition requires riders to have a driving permit. Visitors can test drive during a briefing before setting off on their journey. Furthermore, they will dress in an eye-catching costume and stop for a rest and photo breaks. Finally, the activity ends at the initial meeting point of Japankart.
Official Street Go-Kart Tour: Tokyo Bay Shop
(Source: Viator)
Another five-star rated Viator tour on our list, this Official Street Go-Kart Tour: Tokyo Bay Shop, is 2 to 2.5 hours long. Enjoy a carefree day with a costume and kart rental with your English-speaking guide. You will see many city highlights, including Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower. Learn more about the 333-meter tower in this blog.
This tour includes a guide, fuel surcharge, and kart insurance. The meeting point is 2-10, Shinkiba, Koutou-ward. After a briefing, your guide will lead you through significant Tokyo landmarks and make stops for photo sessions. The tour will end back at the meeting point.
Tokyo: Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, Tokyo Tower Go Kart Tour
As its name suggests, this Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, and Tokyo Tower Go Kart Tour covers all mentioned Tokyo landmarks. Get ready to marvel at the world’s busiest crosswalk, where as many as 3,000 people cross at a time. Likewise, feel the wind on your face while driving past Tokyo Tower, Roppongi, and Omotesando. You can shop to your heart’s content at the last stop.
Visitors can also choose from cute costumes to enhance this fun experience. Many tourists often cosplay while riding their go-karts in Tokyo streets. Moreover, this GetYourGuide tour includes an English-speaking instructor who will stay with you throughout your 1.5-hour journey. The guide will also take your pictures to make this expedition more memorable.
Tokyo: Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando Go Kart Tour
(Source: GetYourGuide)
Explore Shibuya Crossing in style with this Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando Go Kart Tour. Street Kart organizes this 1.5-hour karting expedition, accommodating up to six participants. An English guide will give a briefing and lead the group to visit significant Shibuya attractions. He/she will also provide all the safety information to riders.
You will drive through the world’s busiest crosswalk on a Mario Kart multiple times from different directions. Afterward, you will head to Tokyo’s most fashionable Harajuku Street, a heaven for street fashion photographers. This place is full of youngsters wearing the latest street and kawaii fashion. Likewise, our final stop is Omotesando, a major luxury shopping destination with global fashion brands like Valentino and Chloe.
Street Osaka GoKart Tour with Funny Costume Rental
Discover a go-karting experience away from Tokyo with this Street Osaka GoKart Tour with Funny Costume Rental. This one-hour tour is available in English, Japanese, and Korean. It includes beverages, go-kart rental, insurance fee, costume rental, and fuel surcharge. In addition, this is a small-group tour customized to give a more personalized experience.
This Viator offers visitors tours of famous Osaka neighborhoods like Dotonbori and Namba. Go-kart drivers wave at and shake hands with locals as they drive past them. In addition, visitors will see the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower, where they can snap beautiful pictures. Also, don’t forget to try Osaka’s local delicacies after finishing your tour.
Original Street Go Kart in Naha, Okinawa
Last but not least, we have the Original Street Go Kart in Naha, Okinawa. It offers two courses: one-hour short and two-hour long. This tour includes an English-speaking guide, insurance, costumes, kart rentals, and photo data. Visitors must first show their Passport and international driving permit and arrive fifteen minutes before their booking time.
The journey begins at a designated meeting point. The go-kart drivers will then drive past Naha Airport and Kokusai Street, which is famous for dining, shopping, and sightseeing. If you have booked a long course, you will stop by Senaga Island for a short break. Moreover, your guide will snap as many photos as you want and give you photo data at the end of the tour.
Japan’s karting tour packages include the best go-kart in Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa. You can find more options on our site, TourTeller. The packages vary based on their duration, location, and rental offers. You can select the one that fits your schedule, budget, and interests.
While not all tours might have Mario character costumes, they provide funny and cute dresses. You can bring your costume and save the rental money as well. Likewise, go-karting is the most sought-after activity during peak tourist seasons in spring, fall, and summer. However, you may not be able to book a kart tour when it’s snowing. Other than that, you are all set to ride a Mario Kart in bustling Japanese streets.
