Street Kart Tokyo Bay: Is It Worth Doing?

There are certain things you can do in Tokyo that would be completely ridiculous almost anywhere else.

Driving a tiny go-kart through the actual streets of Tokyo dressed in a costume is one of them.

Obviously, I immediately wanted to do it.

Street karting had been on my list before we even arrived in Japan. I’d seen videos of people driving around Tokyo and it looked like a real life Mario Kart game, except there are actual cars and considerably more serious consequences if you drive into something.

We chose the original Street Kart Tokyo Bay, which takes you out onto the streets of Tokyo and around some of the city’s most recognisable sights.

I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d actually feel once I was sitting approximately six inches above the road with large SUVs driving past me.

I absolutely loved it.

It ended up being one of the most ridiculous and memorable things we did in Tokyo.

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What is Street Kart?

Street Kart Tokyo Bay is a guided go-kart tour in Tokyo where you drive a go-kart on public roads as part of a group.

And yes, these are actual roads.

You’re not driving around a closed track. You’re sitting at traffic lights alongside normal cars, driving through junctions and generally behaving as though driving around one of the world’s biggest cities in a tiny go-kart is a perfectly sensible thing to do.

A guide leads the group and you follow them around a predetermined route.

There are several street kart companies and routes operating around Tokyo, but we chose the Tokyo Bay route.

I’d already explored some of Tokyo on trains and on foot by this point, but seeing it from a go-kart was a very different experience. 

Why we chose the Tokyo Bay street kart route

If you’re looking at go karting in Tokyo, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is which part of the city you actually want to drive around.

Different tours operate around areas including Shibuya, Akihabara, Asakusa and Tokyo Bay.

We chose Street Kart Tokyo Bay, which gave us a completely different perspective on the city.

And honestly, the route was only part of the appeal.

I wanted to explore a part of Tokyo I probably wouldn’t have squeezed into my 5-day Tokyo itinerary otherwise.

While the views are outstanding, there wasn’t enough there for us to justify taking half a day out of an already packed itinerary.

There’s something inherently funny about being surrounded by normal people going about their day while you drive past them in a go-kart dressed like you’ve made several questionable life choices.

What do you need to drive a street kart in Tokyo?

This is the important bit.

You cannot simply turn up with your normal UK driving licence and expect to drive.

Because arriving in Tokyo and discovering that your booked go-kart tour in Tokyo is now something you’re going to watch everyone else do would be devastating.

You’ll need the correct driving documentation for Japan, and the requirements depend on where your licence was issued.

With a UK driving licence, we had to purchase an International Driving Permit before travelling.

You’ll also need to take your passport with you on the day.

Don’t leave them in your hotel.

And don’t assume a photo on your phone will do, because they want the original.

And don’t rely solely on something you’ve read in a travel blog, including this one, because licence requirements can change and vary by country.

Check the current requirements for your own licence before you book the tour.

Arriving at Street Kart Tokyo Bay

You need to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled start time so there’s enough time to check your documents, get ready and go through the safety briefing.

This isn’t really an activity where you want to arrive running through the door three minutes late.

Before getting anywhere near the karts, they check your documents, there’s paperwork to complete, an explanation of how everything works and a safety briefing video.

You’ll also be given a locker to leave the things you don’t need while driving. The only things you can take with you are your phone, passport and International Driving Permit. Cameras are also allowed, as long as they are securely mounted to your body.

And then there’s the important decision.

Choosing a costume.

What are you wearing?

Do you have to dress up for street karting in Tokyo?

No.

But also, why wouldn’t you?

Costumes aren’t mandatory, so if the idea of driving around Tokyo dressed as a random character fills you with horror, you can just wear your normal clothes.

Personally, I felt that if I was already committing to driving a tiny kart around public roads, dignity had left the building some time ago.

Although this experience is most commonly described online as real life Mario Kart, and it’s easy to understand why, Street Kart isn’t affiliated with Nintendo and the official Nintendo characters aren’t part of the experience.

There was a whole lawsuit about this a few years ago, so now you can’t officially dress as Mario or Luigi.

There are still so many more costumes to choose from.

And frankly, driving around Tokyo dressed up as anything while sitting in a go-kart is sufficiently ridiculous without needing a red hat with an M on it.

The safety briefing

Before setting off, we were shown how to operate the karts and given a safety briefing.

These are simple vehicles to drive, but you’re still heading onto actual Japanese roads.

With traffic.

So this isn’t the point to mentally wander off because you’re excited about your costume.

The guide explains how the group stays together, what happens at traffic lights and what you should do if the group gets separated.

You also need to follow normal Japanese road rules throughout the experience.

Coming from the UK, at least driving on the left wasn’t another thing I needed to remember.

Small victories.

What is driving a street kart through Tokyo actually like?

Initially?

Slightly terrifying.

You’re extremely low to the ground.

Normal cars suddenly look enormous.

And you’re very aware that there isn’t much between you and everything else using the road.

But once we’d been driving for a little while, I relaxed.

The drivers we encountered were extremely considerate too. Nobody tried to squeeze past us, and cars pulling out of side streets gave us plenty of space.

It became ridiculously fun.

The strangest part is how quickly driving a go-kart around Tokyo starts to feel normal.

You’re stopping at traffic lights.

You’re going through junctions.

You’re following the kart in front.

Except you’re doing all of this from a vehicle that looks like it belongs at a children’s amusement park.

Driving through Tokyo Bay

This is where I was very pleased we’d chosen the Tokyo Bay route.

The roads around the bay give you a completely different side of Tokyo from the crowded streets around Shibuya and Shinjuku.

There’s more space, huge city views and some brilliant landmarks along the way.

We drove over Rainbow Bridge twice, with panoramic views across the bay if you dared look left or right. We were going considerably faster than I’d expected too, which made it all the more thrilling. 

I even got told more than once that I wasn’t driving fast enough. Something I never thought I’d hear.

Tokyo Tower also looked enormous from that low to the ground. It made the kart, and us, feel very, very small.

Is Street Kart Tokyo Bay scary?

A little, at first.

I’d be lying if I said I climbed into the kart and immediately felt completely relaxed about joining Tokyo traffic.

But you’re following a guide and there’s another one at the back, presumably to ensure nobody gets left behind. You’re travelling as a group and once I got used to how the kart handled, I stopped thinking about how absurd the situation was.

Mostly.

If you’re a nervous driver generally, this probably isn’t the Tokyo experience I’d choose to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

You need to be confident enough behind the wheel to concentrate on the road rather than spending the entire tour worrying about the car next to you.

Is it actually like real life Mario Kart?

Sort of.

There are go-karts.

There are costumes.

You’re driving around Tokyo.

So I completely understand why everyone calls it real life Mario Kart.

But nobody is throwing banana skins.

There are no mystery boxes.

And driving aggressively into your opponent in the hope of knocking them off the road is generally frowned upon. Read: definitely frowned upon.

This is still a guided road tour, not a race.

You’re expected to follow Japanese traffic laws and drive sensibly.

Think less Mario Kart championship. More Mario Kart has grown up, obtained a driving licence and become unusually concerned about road safety.

Can you take photos while street karting?

One thing I wouldn’t plan on doing is spending the entire time trying to photograph everything yourself.

You’re driving.

That’s quite an important job.

Your guide will be capturing photos at appropriate points, depending on the tour you’ve booked.

We were told we could use our phones while stopped at traffic lights, but not while driving.

If you’re planning to use an action camera, check the current rules about cameras and mounts before turning up with half of an electronics shop strapped to you.

We pretty much did that and discovered we weren’t able to use a mount to attach to the go-kart itself. Our head mount didn’t feel very secure either, so we opted not to use it.

Instead, I simply used my phone when stopped and Jass wore his Ray Ban Meta glasses to film – genuinely the most useful they have ever been!

Personally, I’d rather enjoy the actual experience than spend two hours worrying about whether I’ve filmed enough of it.

Although you will almost certainly want photographic evidence afterwards.

Otherwise nobody is going to believe this was a sensible holiday activity.

What should you wear for go karting in Tokyo?

Your normal clothes underneath whatever questionable costume you’ve selected.

But think about the weather.

Tokyo summers are brutally hot and humid.

We visited in July, when simply standing still outside could feel unnecessarily ambitious.

It was 39°C on the day we went street karting in Tokyo and we almost decided against dressing up. The thought of wearing a fleece onesie in that heat was enough to make me feel faint, but we ended up going with it.

And we were so grateful we did, as the costume prevented us from being burnt to a crisp in the blazing sun.

You’re exposed while driving, so I’d think carefully about the time of day if you’re doing this during summer.

Later in the day can be more comfortable than heading out under the midday sun, but you have to consider the rest of your Tokyo itinerary when booking this experience.

Equally, if you’re visiting during colder months, remember that sitting in an open kart while moving through the air is going to feel colder than wandering around Tokyo on foot.

Wear sensible shoes too.

This is probably not the moment for your most impractical holiday footwear.

You’ll receive an email with instructions after booking, including what you can and can’t wear. Open-toed shoes and heels aren’t allowed.

What happens if it rains?

Street karting is weather dependent. You’re in an open kart, so heavy rain isn’t exactly ideal.

The operator may cancel or change tours because of unsafe weather conditions, so check the cancellation policy when you book.

I wouldn’t build an entire day around the assumption that your street kart tour is guaranteed to happen regardless of what the Tokyo weather decides to do.

Tokyo has enough other things to keep you occupied.

Is Street Kart Tokyo Bay suitable for everyone?

No.

Aside from having the correct driving documents, you need to be comfortable driving on public roads.

This isn’t an amusement park ride where you sit down and someone else takes responsibility for what happens next.

You’re actually driving the go-kart.

If you’re uncomfortable in traffic, don’t enjoy driving or think you’d panic when a large vehicle pulls alongside you, I’d skip this.

There are plenty of unusual things to do in Tokyo that don’t require you to personally operate a tiny vehicle in city traffic.

For everyone else?

This is where it gets fun.

Is Street Kart Tokyo Bay touristy?

Totally.

Nobody is pretending that Tokyo residents commute to work dressed in costumes in tiny go-karts.

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This is an activity created for tourists.

But, much like our Asakusa sumo experience, I don’t automatically think touristy means bad.

Sometimes tourist activities are popular because they’re fun.

Street karting is ridiculously fun and that’s part of the appeal.

I didn’t book it because I thought it would give me a profound insight into everyday Japanese life.

I booked it because I wanted to drive a go-kart through Tokyo.

Mission accomplished.

Is Street Kart Tokyo Bay worth it?

For us, absolutely.

Street karting isn’t something I’d recommend to everyone.

You need the correct licence, you need to be comfortable driving and you need to accept that you’re going to look slightly ridiculous.

But if none of those things bother you, it’s one of the most memorable ways we found to experience Tokyo.

There are plenty of things to do in Tokyo where you stand somewhere and look at something.

We did lots of those too.

Street Kart Tokyo Bay was different because we were actually part of the chaos.

It was exciting, slightly nerve-racking at first and completely unlike anything else we did during our trip.

Would I do it again?

Yes.

Although next time I’d be tempted to choose a completely different route.

Apparently driving around Tokyo in a tiny kart once wasn’t enough.

Street Kart wasn’t the only slightly ridiculous thing we booked in Tokyo. We also rented a Japanese grandma for two hours, although that turned out to be considerably more wholesome.

Tips for go karting in Tokyo

A few things I’d know before booking:

Sort your driving documents before travelling

This is the big one.

If you’re travelling with a UK driving licence like we were, you’ll need to arrange the correct International Driving Permit before you leave the UK, specifically the 1949 Geneva Convention one.

Don’t wait until you’re already in Japan.

Arrive early

Give yourself at least 30 minutes for document checks, getting ready and the safety briefing.

This is not an experience where the rest of the group can wait because you’ve underestimated the Tokyo Metro.

Don’t bring loads with you

You’re driving a go-kart.

Storage is not one of its defining features.

There is only a tiny zipped pouch to store personal belongings and my phone and bottle of water just about fit inside it.

Leave anything you don’t need at your accommodation or in the storage provided by the operator.

Choose your route carefully

Don’t just book whichever go-kart tour in Tokyo appears first.

Look at where each route actually goes.

If driving through Shibuya is the thing you’ve imagined doing, book a Shibuya route.

If you want the Tokyo Bay experience, book Tokyo Bay.

Obvious advice.

Surprisingly easy to overlook.

Think about the weather

Summer can be extremely hot.

Winter can be extremely cold.

And you’re sitting in an open vehicle.

Book your time accordingly.

Don’t spend the whole tour worrying about photos

You are driving through Tokyo in a go-kart.

Look around.

Enjoy it.

Social media can survive without 47 near-identical videos of you sitting at a traffic light.

How to book Street Kart Tokyo Bay

You must book your Street Kart experience before you travel, particularly if you want a specific date or time.

STREET KART TOUR OVERVIEW

OFFICIAL STREET KART TOUR

Duration: 2 hours (3 hours including safety briefing)
Time: Various times throughout the day
Booking: Advance booking strongly recommended
Highlights: Dressing up in costume, driving a go-kart on real public roads past many Tokyo landmarks and excellent views of Tokyo Bay.
Rating: 4.9 stars (check 5000+ reviews here)
Price: Check price here!

BOOK THE EXPERIENCE NOW

We booked the two-hour Tokyo Bay route, although you’ll need to allow longer overall for checking in, getting changed and the safety briefing. It was around three hours for us and we paid around £50 per person, although prices vary depending on the month and time of day you book. 

For the amount of time we actually spent driving around Tokyo, I thought it was well worth the money.

You’ll need to select the correct location and route when booking, so check the details carefully before paying.

This is also where you should check the current driving licence requirements, age restrictions, weather policy and exactly what is included, rather than relying on information from an older blog post.

Once you’ve booked, sort out any driving documentation you need straight away.

Then all that’s left is deciding what you’re going to wear.

Which is obviously the most important part.

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Read more about planning a trip to Japan:

• 10 Days in Japan in July for First-Time Visitors
• 5 Days in Tokyo: A First-Timer’s Tokyo Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Tokyo for the Best First Time Experience
• Park Hotel Tokyo Review: Is This Art Hotel Worth Staying At?
• 40 Things to Do in Tokyo on Your First Trip
• My Asakusa Sumo Experience: Is It Worth Booking?
• Street Kart Tokyo Bay: Is It Worth Doing?
• Hakone Day Trip From Tokyo: Route, Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
• Renting a Grandma in Tokyo: What Happened When We Tried It
• Things to Do in Sapporo: 22 Places to Visit on Your First Trip
• 5 Days in Sapporo: A First-Timer’s Sapporo Itinerary
• Vegetarian Food in Sapporo: 5 Best Places to Eat
• Sapporo Grand Hotel Review: Why I Loved It
• Day Trip to Otaru from Sapporo: What to See and Do