So I got to tick another box while we were in Tokyo. For my birthday we got to dress up in costumes and drive go karts through Tokyo! 😊 Obviously at some point Mario Kart must of been the inspiration for this idea. But Nintendo is in “no way” affiliated. None the less this is us “Mario Kart-ing” our way through the streets of Tokyo… Here we go!!
Our starting point was at the depot in Shinagawa. It was pretty easy to find. As all the karts were lined up the front.
When we went this place was called MariCar. Since then they have changed the name to Street Kart. Because they have no affiliation with Nintendo, you can’t dress up like the classic Mario kart characters like you used too. I think the company must have been threatened with copyright infringements or something. None the less they still had one Mario costume so our friend got to wear that 😊
Our characters on the day
Yole was Mario
I got to be Leonardo from TMNT
Alex was Tigger
Before you hit the road
After a quick briefing on how to use the go karts, we then got familiar with our go karts.
Now you actually drive these on the streets and roads of Tokyo so all the normal road rules apply. If you hit a car or a parked car you have to file a police report. Luckily no reports were filed on our ride.
On the Road
While on the streets there were two basic hand signals the leader will show. To be in a single file or the stop at the lights, in pairs next to each other.
We fired up the go karts and began our journey.
The karts are easy to drive. It doesn’t take long to get used to the handling of the karts. Before you know it, we are doing 60 km down the road with trucks and buses all around us.
The round trip on the road took about one and a half hours. We went with the “Middle” tour. But there are longer tours available. Along the way we passed some iconic land marks of Tokyo.
Landmarks
The Tokyo tower.
Shibuya crossing.
In general
As you cruise around lots of people will wave at you and take photos when you’re stopped at the lights, all dressed up ridiculously. It sure is a lot of fun!
We booked online prior to coming to Japan. For the two hour package it was about $100 Australian. But it was totally worth it. Where else in the world can you legally drive a go kart through a mega city?
Important things to know before you drive
- You will need an international driving permit
- No driving licence – no drive, no exceptions
- You will need to bring your passport too
- No bananas allowed
- You can’t take photos or video on anything other than an action camera
I don’t care what Nintendo says, as far as I’m concerned I got to race Mario Kart through the streets of Tokyo and it was the best!