Tokyo caters for many ways tourist get to see the city. Most of them are very much like any-other way you can see in any-other city. However, Tokyo has one particular way that stands above the rest. 'Mario Karting', not officially however, Go-Karting.
Now to start off with, I must admit I may be a bit biased towards this activity as I used to work for what was then known as MariCAR. StreetKart as it is now know was a great place to work and also a great activity to do while in Japan. I took a friend along who was visiting, at the time he really wanted try this activity. While we were booking in the staff noticed that I was living in Tokyo and offered me a job. "Of course!" I said.
Here is everything you need to know about how to take part in this activity
Documentation
First of all the most important thing is documentation. StreetKart is very strict on what you need to take and this is purely because of road laws. Go-Karting on a track is one thing however with StreetKart you will be taking to the streets, therefore you will need to be road legal. As a British citizen I required my Passport, UK issued Drivers Licence and an International Drivers Licence stamped correctly stating you can drive a car (which can be purchased from the Post Office).
Other countries in the EU can vary in what to take along with you as their Drivers Licences can come with Japanese translations.
When you arrive you'll be greeted by friendly staff that will be looking forward to getting you one the road. You should be there 10 minutes before your booking, otherwise you could be eating in to the time you have to drive around and you could possibly have others that you don't know join on the ride which in that case you could find your tour being cancelled if you arrive late.
After a quick documents check you are ready to dress up in your favourite Mario Kart character. At all the shop locations there are other costumes other than Mario Kart characters available. Various anime characters along with minions and Disney characters.
Security of your stuff
You should try to travel light when you visit the shop however all the shops have lockers for you to stash your valuables and small bags away.
Safety
The city streets may seem pretty dangerous in a go-kart but not to worry your tour guide will then take you through how to use the Go-Kart and what to do at whilst at junctions and traffic lights etc.. and in the event of being split up from the group. Always follow the instructions of the tour guide.
Safety is a key factor for activity and road laws should be abided to at all times. Driving in a go-kart should be set to the same standard as driving in a normal car.
You should look to dress appropriately, no sandals or high heels and nothing that will drag along the ground like huge dresses.
There is a big no no on racing and also no throwing litter at each other for example 'mushrooms' and 'banana skins'.
How to book your tickets
You can book on tickets directly from the the StreetKart website with the link at the bottom of this article or you can also get them at Voyagin or Klook. Klook seem to have a great deal on the tickets.
But what if some of my friends or family can not drive?
There is an option for non driving members to follow along in a TukTuk or convertible where they can take pictures and also stop off at the same sites as the go-karters.
Which shop to go to?
As well as Tokyo, StreetKar now operates in Osaka, Okinawa and Kyoto
All the shops have different routes and therefor may have different stop-off points and locations on the way.
Prices vary on the length of the route which are 1hr routes 2hr routes and 3hr routes. however they may also change per city but as a rule.
S - 1hr - 1.5hr routes are roughly - 8,000JPY
M - 1.5hr - 2hr routes are roughly - 9,000 - 10,000JPY
L - 2.5 - 3hr routes are roughly - 11,000 - 13,000JPY
All of these prices are discountable of around 15% off if you review them on selected social media sites like Facebook.
- Tokyo
Shinagawa 1
Has M and L routes that visit Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi and Shibuya crossing.
Shinagawa 2
Has M and L routes that visit Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi and Shibuya Crossing.
Akihabara 1
Has a M route that visits the Tokyo Sky Tree, Ueno, Ginza and Asakusa.
Akihabara 2
Has S and 2M routes that visit the Sky Tree Tower, Asakusa, Ryogoku.
Shibuya
Has a S route that visits Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, and Omotesando.
Tokyo Bay BBQ
Has M and L routes that visit the Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Gate Bridge, Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge.
Asakusa
Has a M course that visits Tokyo Dome, Ueno Park, Asakusa, and Tokyo Sky Tree.
- Osaka
Noda Hanshin
On this route can visit Umeda, Nakanoshima, Shinbashi, Doutonbori, Namba and Osaka Castle or Osaka Aquarium.
- Kyoto
Higashikujyou
This M course you will visit Kyoto Tower, Arashiyama, Heian-Jingu, Choin'in and Yasaka Jinja.
- Okinawa
Higashimachi
S and M courses that will visit Sengajima Island, Naha Airport and Kokusai Street.
All other options
Costumes
All the costumes come as a part of the package, so there is no need to cash out any more for your favourite character. The only problem is getting over the squabble of who gets to be Princess Peach.
All the costumes are washed at the end of the day and are maintained quite well.
You can however buy the costumes, They come in at 5500JPY and are also discountable with a SNS review.
Safety Gear
You can receive Goggles, Helmet and a face mask with no extra charge.
Cameras
Taking photos with your own phone is kind of against the rules. However, you can take action cameras like a GoPro with you and attach it to the mounts that they would also use. this is acceptable and they do not charge you for this.
If you do not have an action cam then the shop will provide one for you for about 300JPY per hour. You will need to provide a MicroSD card or you can purchase one of these at the shop for prices between 750 - 2500JPY depending on the size, all of which are also discountable with the SNS review.
Speakers
You can rent some Bluetooth speakers to attach to the car so you can blast the tunes on the ride.
Other Information
StreetKar used to be called MariCar but In 2017, Nintendo sued MariCar for intellectual property infringement, which had an outcome in January 2020. This suit and the latest Covid Pandemic caused things to slow down for StreetKar.
This shouldn't take away the fact that this activity is still fun and enjoyable. Just you may find that a few costumes are missing from the rack which doesn't stop you bringing your own though.
Tokyo caters for many ways tourist get to see the city. Most of them are very much like any-other way you can see in any-other city. However, Tokyo has one particular way that stands above the rest. 'Mario Karting', not officially however, Go-Karting.
Now to start off with, I must admit I may be a bit biased towards this activity as I used to work for what was then known as MariCAR. StreetKart as it is now know was a great place to work and also a great activity to do while in Japan. I took a friend along who was visiting, at the time he really wanted try this activity. While we were booking in the staff noticed that I was living in Tokyo and offered me a job. "Of course!" I said.
Here is everything you need to know about how to take part in this activity
Documentation
First of all the most important thing is documentation. StreetKart is very strict on what you need to take and this is purely because of road laws. Go-Karting on a track is one thing however with StreetKart you will be taking to the streets, therefore you will need to be road legal. As a British citizen I required my Passport, UK issued Drivers Licence and an International Drivers Licence stamped correctly stating you can drive a car (which can be purchased from the Post Office).
Other countries in the EU can vary in what to take along with you as their Drivers Licences can come with Japanese translations.
When you arrive you'll be greeted by friendly staff that will be looking forward to getting you one the road. You should be there 10 minutes before your booking, otherwise you could be eating in to the time you have to drive around and you could possibly have others that you don't know join on the ride which in that case you could find your tour being cancelled if you arrive late.
After a quick documents check you are ready to dress up in your favourite Mario Kart character. At all the shop locations there are other costumes other than Mario Kart characters available. Various anime characters along with minions and Disney characters.
Security of your stuff
You should try to travel light when you visit the shop however all the shops have lockers for you to stash your valuables and small bags away.
Safety
The city streets may seem pretty dangerous in a go-kart but not to worry your tour guide will then take you through how to use the Go-Kart and what to do at whilst at junctions and traffic lights etc.. and in the event of being split up from the group. Always follow the instructions of the tour guide.
Safety is a key factor for activity and road laws should be abided to at all times. Driving in a go-kart should be set to the same standard as driving in a normal car.
You should look to dress appropriately, no sandals or high heels and nothing that will drag along the ground like huge dresses.
There is a big no no on racing and also no throwing litter at each other for example 'mushrooms' and 'banana skins'.
How to book your tickets
You can book on tickets directly from the the StreetKart website with the link at the bottom of this article or you can also get them at Voyagin or Klook. Klook seem to have a great deal on the tickets.
But what if some of my friends or family can not drive?
There is an option for non driving members to follow along in a TukTuk or convertible where they can take pictures and also stop off at the same sites as the go-karters.
Which shop to go to?
As well as Tokyo, StreetKar now operates in Osaka, Okinawa and Kyoto
All the shops have different routes and therefor may have different stop-off points and locations on the way.
Prices vary on the length of the route which are 1hr routes 2hr routes and 3hr routes. however they may also change per city but as a rule.
S - 1hr - 1.5hr routes are roughly - 8,000JPY
M - 1.5hr - 2hr routes are roughly - 9,000 - 10,000JPY
L - 2.5 - 3hr routes are roughly - 11,000 - 13,000JPY
All of these prices are discountable of around 15% off if you review them on selected social media sites like Facebook.
- Tokyo
Shinagawa 1
Has M and L routes that visit Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi and Shibuya crossing.
Shinagawa 2
Has M and L routes that visit Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi and Shibuya Crossing.
Akihabara 1
Has a M route that visits the Tokyo Sky Tree, Ueno, Ginza and Asakusa.
Akihabara 2
Has S and 2M routes that visit the Sky Tree Tower, Asakusa, Ryogoku.
Shibuya
Has a S route that visits Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, and Omotesando.
Tokyo Bay BBQ
Has M and L routes that visit the Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Gate Bridge, Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge.
Asakusa
Has a M course that visits Tokyo Dome, Ueno Park, Asakusa, and Tokyo Sky Tree.
- Osaka
Noda Hanshin
On this route can visit Umeda, Nakanoshima, Shinbashi, Doutonbori, Namba and Osaka Castle or Osaka Aquarium.
- Kyoto
Higashikujyou
This M course you will visit Kyoto Tower, Arashiyama, Heian-Jingu, Choin'in and Yasaka Jinja.
- Okinawa
Higashimachi
S and M courses that will visit Sengajima Island, Naha Airport and Kokusai Street.
All other options
Costumes
All the costumes come as a part of the package, so there is no need to cash out any more for your favourite character. The only problem is getting over the squabble of who gets to be Princess Peach.
All the costumes are washed at the end of the day and are maintained quite well.
You can however buy the costumes, They come in at 5500JPY and are also discountable with a SNS review.
Safety Gear
You can receive Goggles, Helmet and a face mask with no extra charge.
Cameras
Taking photos with your own phone is kind of against the rules. However, you can take action cameras like a GoPro with you and attach it to the mounts that they would also use. this is acceptable and they do not charge you for this.
If you do not have an action cam then the shop will provide one for you for about 300JPY per hour. You will need to provide a MicroSD card or you can purchase one of these at the shop for prices between 750 - 2500JPY depending on the size, all of which are also discountable with the SNS review.
Speakers
You can rent some Bluetooth speakers to attach to the car so you can blast the tunes on the ride.
Other Information
StreetKar used to be called MariCar but In 2017, Nintendo sued MariCar for intellectual property infringement, which had an outcome in January 2020. This suit and the latest Covid Pandemic caused things to slow down for StreetKar.
This shouldn't take away the fact that this activity is still fun and enjoyable. Just you may find that a few costumes are missing from the rack which doesn't stop you bringing your own though.