Racing Through Tokyo’s Iconic Spots — Discover Another Side of Tokyo from a Street Kart
Shibuya Scramble Crossing. The light turns green. People surge in from all directions — that world-famous scene. But what if instead of looking down at it, you crossed right through it from a viewpoint just 50 cm above the ground? The experience of gripping a kart’s steering wheel and racing through Tokyo’s main streets has become a hot topic among travelers worldwide. Over 1.34 million people have tried it, with more than 20,000 reviews and an incredible average rating of 4.9 stars. Tokyo’s classic sightseeing routes reveal an entirely different face just by changing your perspective.
The Moment a Classic Route Becomes an Adventure
Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Tokyo Skytree. The standard courses found in every guidebook are undeniably must-sees. But honestly, just gazing at them through the window of a tour bus doesn’t exactly burn them into your memory.
What makes street karting so fascinating is that it transforms these classic routes into a hands-on, drive-it-yourself experience. For instance, the moment you pass beneath Tokyo Tower and look up, the sheer scale of that steel structure is nothing like seeing it from inside a car. The wind hits your cheeks, the engine’s vibration pulses through your fingertips. An experience where all five senses take in Tokyo is something photos alone can hardly convey.
A guide leads the way, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost even in unfamiliar territory. While waiting at traffic lights, passersby often whip out their smartphones to snap photos of you — making you feel like a bit of a celebrity.
First Time in Tokyo: A Course That Efficiently Covers Three Areas
You want to make the most of Tokyo with limited days. For travelers in that boat, the street kart routes make perfect sense. In about two to three hours, you can zip through areas that would normally take half a day of train transfers to cover.
Tokyo Tower to Rainbow Bridge Area
The first destination after departure is Tokyo’s iconic symbol — Tokyo Tower. Looking straight up at the 333-meter steel tower from directly below delivers an impact that’s completely different from the observation deck view. Head toward Rainbow Bridge from there, and an exhilarating seaside route through Odaiba awaits. Driving with the ocean breeze on your skin is a fresh reminder that Tokyo is a city facing the sea.
Asakusa & Skytree Area
The red lantern of Kaminarimon Gate, the lively bustle of Nakamise Street. Asakusa is the quintessential spot for experiencing Tokyo’s traditional “shitamachi” downtown vibe. Driving a kart around Sensoji Temple, you’ll encounter unique scenes — passing rickshaws and kimono-clad tourists along the way. Rising beyond them is the 634-meter Tokyo Skytree. That moment when old and new Tokyo share the same frame is a best-shot you’ll want to capture.
Shibuya & Harajuku Area
Shibuya and Harajuku — the epicenters of youth culture. Crossing the Scramble Crossing from a low vantage point is an experience truly unique to this activity. Glide through the zelkova tree-lined Omotesando avenue, and you’ll find yourself in a curious space where dappled sunlight filters through despite being smack in the middle of the city. Choose an evening course, and you’ll ride through Shibuya’s streets as neon lights begin reflecting off the pavement. The colors at this time of day are simply extraordinary.
Why Street Kart Keeps Getting Chosen
Over 150,000 tours conducted — the numbers alone are overwhelming. But the real reasons people keep coming back lie behind those figures.
First, specially trained guides accompany every tour, prepared specifically for international drivers. There’s no stress about communicating in English, and even travelers unfamiliar with Japanese road conditions can safely cruise Tokyo’s streets simply by following the guide’s lead.
Then there’s the fleet. With over 250 street-legal karts and six locations in Tokyo alone, you can pick a shop near your hotel, and booking a popular time slot is easy. They also have locations in Osaka and Okinawa, so if you’re visiting other cities in Japan, you can enjoy the same experience elsewhere.
Being able to ride in costume is another huge draw. Dressing up in your favorite character’s outfit and racing through Tokyo’s streets — it’s an absolute hit on social media and makes for unforgettable travel memories. With a wide variety of costumes available, coordinating matching outfits with your crew is part of the fun.
It’s also worth noting that the website supports 22 languages. Being able to check everything from booking to day-of procedures in your native language is more valuable than you’d imagine when traveling abroad. You can also find detailed information about the required license on the official license information page, so be sure to check before your trip.
Booking Tips and the Best Time to Ride
Weekends tend to fill up fast, so weekday afternoons are your best bet. The 3:00–4:00 PM departure slot is especially sweet — you start in daylight and finish with Tokyo’s breathtaking dusk scenery. Depending on the season, you might even catch Tokyo Tower’s illumination kicking in.
Weather might be a concern, but tours often run even in light rain. The sight of neon reflecting off rain-slicked streets at night creates a beauty you simply won’t see on clear days. For the latest updates on weather-related operations, your best source is kart.st. Course details and information about each location can also be found here.
When You Drive Through Tokyo, the City Starts to “Speak”
There are sounds of the city you could never hear from inside a tour bus. There’s a wind you could never feel through a taxi window. From the kart’s vantage point — a mere 50 cm above the ground — looking up at Tokyo’s skyscrapers feels like peering through a massive canyon.
A taxi driver stopped next to you at a red light flashes a grin and waves. A group of fellow tourists erupts in cheers as they pass by. These fleeting, unscripted moments are what turn a trip into a story.
On your next Tokyo trip, don’t just “see” the iconic spots — “drive” through them. Book at kart.st. Weekends fill up fast, so check availability as soon as your itinerary is set. Racing through Tokyo with the wind in your face, you’ll find discoveries that no guidebook has ever printed.
Regarding Costumes
Our shop does not offer costumes related to Nintendo or “Mario Kart” for rental. We provide only costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
