Your Complete Tokyo Street Kart FAQ Guide: Everything First-Timers Need to Know
What You Need to Know Before Hitting the Streets
Racing through the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart. If you’ve seen this activity on social media and thought “I want to try that!” you’re definitely not alone. But at the same time, all sorts of questions start popping up: “Do I need a license?” “Where exactly do we drive?” “Do they speak English?” I actually get asked by foreign friends all the time: “Street Kart looks amazing, but I’m nervous about it…” So for everyone with those same questions, let me break down everything you need to know about the Tokyo street kart experience!
Questions About Licenses and Reservations
The most common question by far is “What do I need for a driver’s license?” To enjoy Street Kart, you’ll need a valid driver’s license. If you have a Japanese license, you’re all set. For tourists from overseas, an International Driving Permit (IDP) will do the trick. Licenses from certain countries like Switzerland, Germany, France, and Taiwan can also be used with an official translation. The specific requirements vary by country, so it’s best to check the official website beforehand.
The booking process is super simple too—just head to kart.st and you can easily make a reservation. You can also reach out via WhatsApp or LINE, so as long as you have a smartphone, you’re good to go. Staff are available from 10 AM to 10 PM, so even with time differences, you don’t have to worry.
About the Tours and Driving Routes
“Where do we actually drive?” is another really common question. Street Kart operates as a guide-led tour format, running along pre-determined routes. There are courses that take you past famous Tokyo landmarks like Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Ginza, and Rainbow Bridge—giving you a ground-level perspective of the city that you just can’t get from a tour bus. However, unlike a rental car, you can’t make detours or stop to pop into shops along the way, so keep that in mind. It’s precisely because of these set routes that you can safely soak in Tokyo’s charm.
There are five locations in the Tokyo area: Shinagawa, Akihabara (two shops), Shibuya (Shibuya and Annex), and Tokyo Bay. There are also locations in Osaka and Okinawa, but we’ll focus on Tokyo for now.
Why People Choose Street Kart
Over 150,000 tours completed and more than 1.34 million customers—that’s the proof of Street Kart’s reliability. They have a fleet of over 250 karts, all regularly maintained and safety-checked.
What’s particularly impressive is that professional guides trained to work with foreign drivers accompany every tour. Street Kart was the first operator in the industry to provide guides specifically trained for international guests, so you can enjoy the experience without any language barrier worries. The website supports 22 languages, and actual services are provided in English, so even if you don’t speak Japanese, it’s absolutely no problem. A friend from Brazil told me “I could communicate in English the whole time, so it was incredibly fun!”
Review ratings at each location range from an astounding 4.9 to 5.0. Over 20,000 reviews back up these scores, showing just how satisfied people are after their experience. It’s an environment where even first-timers can take on the challenge with confidence.
Weather and Other Important Notes
Tours usually run even on rainy days, but they get cancelled when it snows. Since snow tires for karts don’t exist, driving on snowy roads would actually violate traffic laws. If you’re planning to visit Tokyo in winter, keep a close eye on the weather forecast.
I sometimes get asked about costumes too, and here’s an important note about that. Mario Kart-related costumes are not provided. Street Kart is an independent operator with absolutely no connection to Nintendo or the Mario Kart series. However, they do have other cute costumes and character outfits available, so you can still zip through Tokyo’s streets in photo-worthy style!
The first tour slot starts at 10 AM. Some people might want to hit the road at the crack of dawn, but business hours are set, so early birds should aim for the morning slots.
Wrapping Up: Clear Your Doubts and Have an Amazing Experience
Tokyo street karting might come with a lot of questions, but with proper preparation, it’s an activity anyone can enjoy. Just make sure you’ve got three things covered: license verification, reservation, and weather check. Since it’s a guide-led tour, there’s no worry about getting lost, and having professional staff there for support makes all the difference.
The exhilaration of racing through Tokyo at ground level, the thrill of cruising through the crowds at Shibuya Crossing in a kart—this is a truly special experience you won’t find anywhere else. You can also check out detailed tour information and course specifics at https://hp2.stg.streetkart.org/.
Booking is quick and easy at kart.st, so definitely check it out for making unforgettable Tokyo travel memories. All my friends have said “It was the best experience of my life!” so I’m sure you’ll have a blast too. Come on—Tokyo’s streets are waiting for you!
Note About Costumes
We do not offer rental of Nintendo or “Mario Kart” related costumes. We only provide costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
