Everything You Want to Know Before Trying Street Kart in Tokyo
Planning a trip to Tokyo and curious about those street karts you can drive on public roads? I bet you have tons of questions. When I first considered it, I was like, “Wait, you can really drive on actual streets?” “Does my driver’s license even work here?” “Is this safe?” But after actually experiencing it myself, it turned out to be way more fun than I imagined—honestly one of the most memorable parts of my Tokyo trip. So today, I’m going to answer all those burning questions for anyone thinking about giving street karting a try.
Questions About Driver’s Licenses
First things first: the driver’s license situation. Can you use a non-Japanese license? Do you need an international permit? I get asked this a lot.
The basic answer is yes, you can participate if you have a valid driver’s license, but the requirements vary depending on your country or region. For detailed information about supported countries and required documents, your best bet is to check the official page (https://kart.st/en/drivers-license/) on their website. It’s worth taking a quick look before you book.
Oh, and there’s an age restriction too. Even if you have a license, there’s a minimum age requirement for safety reasons, so if you’re planning a group outing, make sure everyone meets the criteria beforehand.
Safety Concerns
Driving just inches off the ground on public roads—of course you’d be concerned about safety! That’s totally natural. But Street Kart takes this seriously.
Before your experience, there’s a safety briefing where they thoroughly explain how to operate the kart, traffic rules, and important points to watch out for. You might feel a bit nervous at first, but the staff are specially trained guides for international drivers, so there’s no language barrier when it comes to following instructions.
Plus, it’s a tour format, so you won’t get lost on your own. A guide kart leads the way and you follow along a set route, so even on unfamiliar roads, you can relax and enjoy the ride. And if anything comes up, there’s a support system in place to help you out.
Booking and Pricing Questions
How do you make a reservation? How much does it cost? Can you cancel? These practical questions come up a lot too.
Booking is super easy through kart.st. Just pick your date and number of participants, fill in the required info, and you’re done. You can book 24/7, so whenever inspiration strikes, you can get it sorted right away.
As for pricing, it varies depending on the course length and time of day. The most popular options are usually 1-2 hour courses that efficiently cover Tokyo’s main spots. For the latest pricing info, check the official website.
The cancellation policy is clearly laid out too—full refund if you cancel by X days before, partial refund by Y days before, and so on. Even with travel plans that might change, they’re reasonably flexible, which is reassuring.
Clothing and What to Bring
What should you wear? What should you bring? These are common concerns too.
Basically, comfortable clothes that are easy to move in are best. Skip the skirts and heels—sneakers and pants are the way to go. Since the karts are open-top, depending on the weather, sunscreen and sunglasses can make things more comfortable. They provide rain gear on rainy days, but honestly, picking a sunny day will make the experience several times more enjoyable.
Keep your belongings minimal. There’s not much storage space in the karts, so it’s smart to bring just the essentials and leave big bags at your hotel. Your smartphone is a must for photos, but be careful not to drop it while driving!
Weather Considerations
What happens on rainy days? What about typhoons? Are there seasons when you can’t enjoy it? Weather-related questions are pretty common too.
Light rain is manageable—you can drive with rain gear. Actually, driving through rainy Tokyo streets offers a fresh perspective you don’t usually get, so it can be quite a unique experience. However, if conditions are deemed unsafe for driving—like during a typhoon or heavy rain—tours may be canceled. In those cases, you can reschedule for another day or get a full refund without cancellation fees, so they won’t force you to go through with it.
As for seasons, spring and fall are probably the most comfortable. Cherry blossom season and autumn foliage offer gorgeous scenery, and the temperatures are ideal for driving. Summer can be hot, but the exhilarating feeling of wind rushing past you is unbeatable. And winter, with proper bundling up, is actually not as cold as you’d think once you get going.
Why Street Kart Stands Out
Tokyo has tons of activities to choose from, but Street Kart offers something you just can’t get anywhere else.
First off, there’s the incredible track record. With over 150,000 total tours conducted and more than 1.34 million total customers, these numbers speak to the popularity and trustworthiness of this experience. The average customer rating is 4.9/5.0★ with over 20,000 total reviews. When this many people give such high ratings, it’s proof that the experience delivers.
Another standout feature is that the website supports 22 languages. This consideration for tourists from around the world means anyone can book with confidence. Being the industry’s first kart operator to deploy specially trained guides for international drivers is a major strength too. Services are provided primarily in English, so even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can participate without worry.
With 6 locations in Tokyo plus shops in Osaka and Okinawa—8 locations total—and a fleet of over 250 public road karts, they’re well-equipped to accommodate groups of all sizes.
For more detailed information, check out the official website kart.st where you’ll find comprehensive guidance.
What to Expect on the Day
What’s the actual flow like on the day of your tour? Knowing this ahead of time helps too.
Arriving about 10 minutes before your scheduled reservation time is ideal. After checking in, you’ll first attend the safety briefing. This is where they teach you how to operate the kart, explain the route, and go over important precautions. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
After that, you’ll gear up with helmets, gloves, and other equipment before finally getting into your kart. You might feel a little nervous at first, but once you start the engine and begin moving, the excitement just takes over.
During the drive, you follow the guide kart, so there’s no worry about getting lost. The sensation of zipping through Tokyo’s streets just inches off the ground is something you really can’t experience with regular sightseeing. The attention from people around you and the photo ops are fun bonuses too.
Wrapping Up
The street kart experience in Tokyo might come with lots of questions and concerns at first, but once you actually participate, it’s way more fun than you imagined. As long as you know the key points beforehand—driver’s license requirements, safety measures, how to book—you can fully enjoy yourself on the day.
With over 1.34 million people having tried it and an average rating of 4.9★, Street Kart’s appeal is proven. Why not choose a street kart experience as a new way to explore Tokyo?
Booking is easy through kart.st. Once your questions are answered, all that’s left is to actually feel the wind rushing past you as you drive through Tokyo’s streets.
Notice Regarding Costumes
Please note that we do not rent Nintendo or “Mario Kart” related costumes. We only provide costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
