Japan Kart runs street-legal go-kart tours through Tokyo’s real streets — in costume — across several areas, from Asakusa and Akihabara to Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Tower.
Tours run 60–120 minutes and include costumes, camera holders, and a photo service.
To drive you must be 18 or older and carry a valid driving licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP), and your passport. You can cancel free up to 24 hours before your start time.
What Tokyo Go-Karting Is Like
Tokyo go-karting means driving a low, street-legal kart on real public roads — not a track — with a guide leading the way.
You wear a costume, weave through the city with everyday traffic, and pass famous landmarks at eye level, which makes the neon, bridges, and towers feel far bigger than they do from a train. Every tour begins with a full safety briefing, and the guide sets the pace so first-time visitors and confident drivers are equally comfortable.
Choose Your Area: Tokyo Go-Kart Tours
Japan Kart operates from several stores, each with its own route and landmarks. Pick the area that matches what you want to see:
・Asakusa / Tokyo Bay & Akihabara — 120 min (Asakusa store). The classic all-rounder: the Tokyo Bay waterfront, downtown Asakusa, and Akihabara’s neon “Electric Town.” See the full route in our Akihabara go-kart guide.
・Akihabara / Asakusa — 60 min (Skytree store). A shorter loop focused on Akihabara and Asakusa — ideal if you’re short on time.
・Shibuya / Tokyo Tower — 120 min (Kanda store). Passes the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Roppongi, Tokyo Tower, and the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Details in our West Tokyo landmark tour.
・Shibuya / Shinjuku — 90 min (Shinjuku store). Neon nightlife and the world-famous crossing.
・Osaka Castle — 90 min (Namba store). Our Kansai route for visitors in Osaka.
Not sure which to choose? For neon and anime culture pick Akihabara; for the iconic crossing pick Shibuya; for landmarks and the waterfront pick the Asakusa/Tokyo Bay tour.
What’s Included
・A guide who leads the whole route
・Free character costumes (superhero, anime, and mascot styles)
・Smartphone and GoPro camera holders
・A commemorative photo service
Insurance is provided for the experience — ask about the coverage and any options when you book.
Prices & Booking
Prices vary by tour and duration, and change from time to time.
Check the latest prices and availability on our booking page: japankart.com.
Payment is by credit card — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club are accepted (cash in Japanese yen only).
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your start time gives a full refund; cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable, and missing required documents on the day is also non-refundable. If we cancel for bad weather, you’re eligible for a full refund or a reschedule.
What You Need: Licence, IDP & Age
You must be 18 or older to drive. Bring the original hardcopies of:
・your driving licence (no temporary or paper-only licences),
・an International Driving Permit (IDP, Geneva Convention 1949), and
・your passport.
If your licence is from Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium, Estonia, or Monaco, you need an official Japanese translation of your licence instead of an IDP.
US military personnel can use an active Military ID with a stateside licence, or a SOFA licence.
Drivers over about 190 cm may find the kart a tight fit, and those over 100 kg may notice slightly reduced power.
For your country’s exact requirements, see our International Driving Permit guide.
Passengers & Groups
Our go-karts seat one driver only, so a passenger can’t ride in the kart itself.
However, non-drivers can ride along in the guide vehicle (a limited number of seats), and children aged 6+ can join as passengers in our staff cars — a good option for families and larger groups where not everyone drives.
Safety on Tokyo’s Roads
Safety comes first on every tour. Before departure you’ll get a full briefing covering the controls, braking, hand signals, and how to follow the guide.
A guide leads the group at all times and sets a safe pace for traffic and weather, and the karts are maintained and checked regularly.
Because you drive with the flow of real traffic, following the guide’s signals and keeping a steady distance is essential.
What to Wear & Bring
・Comfortable closed-toe shoes (no sandals or heels — needed for the pedals).
・Layers, as open avenues get windy and evenings cool down.
・Your documents: IDP, home licence, and passport are mandatory to drive.
・A phone or action camera — camera holders are provided, and your guide also runs the commemorative photo service.
Costumes are provided on site and worn over your clothes, so just dress comfortably underneath.
Store Locations & Hours
・Asakusa Branch — 2-18-15 Azumabashi, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0001 · Mon–Sat 9:30–19:30 (Sun closed)
・Kanda Branch — 42 Kanda-Higashimatsushitacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0042 · Daily 12:45–22:30
・Shinjuku Branch — 3F, 5-11-23 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022 · Daily 9:30–21:00
・Osaka (Namba) Branch — 1-11-17 Shikitsunishi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka 556-0015 · Mon–Sat 9:30–21:00 (Sun closed)
Our Skytree store hosts the 60-minute Akihabara/Asakusa tour. Each tour departs from the store shown above for that route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to drive?
Yes — a valid driving licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP), and your passport, all as originals. Licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium, Estonia, or Monaco need an official Japanese translation instead of an IDP.
How old do I have to be to drive?
You must be 18 or older.
Can my friend ride next to me?
The karts are single-seat, so no one rides in the kart with you. Non-drivers can ride along in the guide vehicle (limited seats), and children 6+ can ride as passengers in our staff cars.
Is it safe if I’ve never driven in Japan?
Yes. Every tour starts with a safety briefing, a guide leads the whole way, and the pace is adjusted to your group.
What happens if it rains?
In bad weather we may cancel the tour for your safety — in which case you get a full refund or can reschedule.
Is cosplay included?
Yes — choose from our free character costumes, or bring your own.
How much does it cost?
Prices depend on the tour and duration. Check the latest prices on our booking page.
Which area should I pick?
Akihabara for neon and anime culture, Shibuya for the famous crossing, and the Asakusa/Tokyo Bay tour for landmarks and the waterfront.
About Japan Kart
Japan Kart runs street-legal go-kart tours across Tokyo — from our Asakusa, Kanda, Shinjuku, and Skytree stores — as well as in Osaka.
Every tour is guide-led and includes costumes, camera holders, and a photo service, and is designed to let visitors experience the city’s landmarks in a way nothing else can match.
