Explore Tokyo’s Must-See Spots by Street Kart! Turn Your First Trip into an Unforgettable Memory
Looking down at Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing, you can watch thousands of people start moving all at once. “Watch it from above” or “race right through it”—for your first Tokyo trip, there’s no question which one gets your heart pumping.
Sure, getting around Tokyo by train is efficient. But let’s be real—how many times have you been exhausted from subway transfers, only to emerge above ground thinking “Where am I?” For your first time in Tokyo, there’s a way to hit all the classic spots while feeling the city’s vibe with your whole body. That’s street karting. These small karts run on public roads, letting you experience Tokyo’s streetscape directly. This is an experience you’ll want to tell all your friends about.
The Classic Route Starting from Tokyo Tower
When it comes to Tokyo sightseeing essentials, Tokyo Tower tops the list. Completed in 1958, this red steel tower still captivates tourists as a symbol of Tokyo. Driving your kart while looking up at this 333-meter tower—the impact is seriously intense. Especially at dusk when the orange illumination kicks in, you won’t be able to stop taking photos.
The route from the Tokyo Tower area toward Asakusa is a fantastic course where you can experience Tokyo’s “past and present” simultaneously. After passing through modern high-rise buildings, the old downtown scenery suddenly opens up, and it feels like you’ve traveled through time.
Feel the Edo Spirit in Asakusa
The big red lantern at Kaminarimon—you’ll understand why it goes viral on social media. Stop your kart in front of this lantern for photos, and you’ll get a shot that absolutely screams “I’m in Japan!” Running along a route with Nakamise-dori’s bustling crowds on one side and Senso-ji Temple’s five-story pagoda in the background is, to put it mildly, incredibly atmospheric.
Running along the Sumida River from Asakusa, you’ll see Tokyo Skytree gradually getting closer. This 634-meter broadcast tower looks completely different depending on the viewing angle, so the beauty of traveling by kart is enjoying various perspectives as you go. The Skytree reflected on the Sumida River’s surface contrasted against the blue sky might just earn you plenty of likes on Instagram.
Youth Culture in the Shibuya-Harajuku Area
Tokyo’s other face is Shibuya and Harajuku. Actually driving through the Scramble Crossing in a kart is a unique experience you can’t have anywhere else in the world. The moment the light turns green and people rush in from all directions—racing through that gets your adrenaline seriously pumping.
The Takeshita Street area in Harajuku, lined with colorful fashion and unique shops, is fun just to walk around. But viewing this neighborhood from a slight distance in your kart, the whole area’s pop atmosphere becomes even more vivid. The contrast with the lush green approach to Meiji Shrine is also fascinating, letting you experience Tokyo’s multifaceted charm all at once.
The Stylish Streets of Omotesando
The road continuing from Harajuku to Omotesando is one of Tokyo’s premier fashion streets, beautiful with its zelkova tree-lined avenue. The exhilaration of karting through this area lined with luxury brand shops while feeling the breeze is exceptional. The autumn foliage season is especially popular as an Instagram-worthy spot, with the golden-colored tree-lined streets.
Why Street Kart is the Top Choice
Street Kart, which provides the street karting experience, has conducted over 150,000 tours and been chosen by more than 1.34 million customers. That overall rating of 4.9 isn’t just a number—it’s the accumulation of actual customers saying “I want to ride again.”
Having guides trained for foreign drivers accompany you is a hugely reassuring point. Communication in English is smooth, so not knowing Japanese is no problem at all. The guides know Tokyo’s roads inside and out, so they’ll take you on appropriate routes to tourist spots and stop at photo spots to give you time to take pictures.
With multiple locations in Tokyo including Akihabara, Shinagawa, and Shibuya, you can conveniently choose your departure point based on your sightseeing plans. Booking is easy too, with the website available in 22 languages so you can complete the process in your native language. Costume rentals are also available, adding the fun of dressing up as your favorite character while cruising through Tokyo.
Regarding the required license for driving, you’ll need an International Driving Permit or a license valid in Japan. Please check the official website for details.
A Special Time Racing Through Tokyo at Night
Daytime Tokyo is charming, but nighttime Tokyo shows a completely different face. Driving through neon-lit streets feels like stepping into a movie scene. The night view of Rainbow Bridge from the Odaiba area is especially breathtaking.
The route looking up at Shinjuku’s high-rise buildings also takes on a fantastical atmosphere at night. The light leaking from building windows sparkles like a starry sky. These kinds of experiences are hard to have on buses or trains—they’re unique to street karting.
From Booking to Experience
Booking your street kart experience is easy at kart.st. Just select your preferred date, time, and location, then enter the number of people. On the day, gather 30 minutes before departure, receive a brief explanation, and you’re off. Two to three-hour courses are popular, and even first-timers can feel at ease with guides providing careful support.
If you want to efficiently tour Tokyo’s classic sightseeing spots, definitely consider street karting as an option. Sightseeing while feeling the wind—something you can’t get on trains—will surely become a wonderful memory of your trip. On your next Tokyo visit, why not enjoy the city from a different perspective?
Regarding Costumes
Our shop does not rent costumes related to Nintendo or “Mario Kart.” We only offer costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
