Go-Karting in Tokyo: Yes, It’s as Fun as it Looks

You can choose from several routes, including: Shibuya (neon lights), Shinjuku (busy streets and nightlife), Asakusa (historic streets), Ginza (luxury shopping) and Odaiba (waterfront views). We chose Asakusa for the Tokyo Skytree views and because it included a drive through Akihabara, Tokyo’s anime, gaming and tech hub, all lit up after dark.

Akihabara’s bright signs and lit-up buildings were a big draw (Never been to Tokyo? Just Google Akihabara, and you’ll see why!). We already had fun exploring the area in the daytime, so ripping through it on a go-kart at night sounded like a great time!

When choosing a tour, check the route rather than just the starting point. Think about which neighbourhoods you’d like to see and whether you want a daytime drive or the city lights. We were pretty sold on the evening option.

These tours take you onto public roads, alongside cars, buses and taxis. You’re right in Tokyo traffic, which can sound a little intimidating before you do it. We ended up feeling comfortable and found the guide easy to follow.

Our guide used signals to tell us when to drive in single file or move into pairs. With someone leading the route, we could focus on driving and watching what was happening around us.

The actual karts had more power than we expected. We were told they could reach around 60 km/h, and sitting that close to the road makes them pretty lively. You follow the guide’s pace and drive with the traffic, but there’s enough power to have a bit of fun with it!

The guide mentioned to try to avoid leaving big gaps between karts. At one point, we left enough space for a taxi to slip between us, which we thought was funny at the time. It’s a reminder that everyone else on the road is just going about their evening, even if you’re doing it dressed as Pikachu.

Once we got into the rhythm of following the guide, we could really enjoy the drive.

You’ve probably seen pictures of people doing this dressed as characters. Many companies have costumes you can wear, from Pokémon to superhero outfits, depending on the operator. You can also opt to stick with your own clothes.

It was hot that evening. Sophie understandably skipped the costume. I went with a Pikachu onesie anyway.

If you’re going in warm weather, keep that in mind. The costume adds to the fun, but you certainly don’t need one to enjoy the experience.

We thought go-karting through Tokyo looked fun, and in the end, it really was. The hour flew by. Following the guide was easy, we felt comfortable on the road, and driving through Akihabara all lit up at night was one of our Tokyo highlights.

We loved our Asakusa route, but honestly, any of the routes would be great. Pick the part of Tokyo you’re most curious about, get your driving permit sorted, and give it a go. For us, this is a must-do in Tokyo!