Tokyo go-karting
Frequently asked questions
Everything people ask before booking a Tokyo street kart, in one place. The license rules are the part worth reading twice.
Licensing and rules
Do you need a license to go-kart in Tokyo?
Yes. Tokyo street karts run on public roads, so every driver needs a valid home-country license plus a 1949-Geneva IDP, carried as paper originals with a passport. There is no licence-free way to drive. Full detail in our license & IDP guide.
Does a 1968 Vienna Convention IDP work?
No. Japan recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP only. If your country issues the 1968 Vienna version, you cannot drive on it, so check before you travel.
Which countries need a Japanese translation instead?
Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan. Their drivers use a home license plus an official Japanese translation, for example from JAF (6,000 yen as of April 2026), arranged inside Japan.
What is the minimum age to drive?
18. Japanese public-road law sets the minimum at 18 with no exceptions, and every driver needs a valid license.
Costs and booking
How much do Tokyo go-kart tours cost?
Prices start at $70 for the electric kart, $75 for Akihabara, and $120 for the flagship Shibuya tour. Each is about one hour and includes the kart, a costume, and a guide who takes photos. Compare all three →
How far ahead should I book?
2 to 3 days minimum, and 2 to 3 weeks in peak seasons (March to May, September to November). Evening and weekend slots go first.
What should I bring on the day?
Three originals: your driver's license, your IDP or official translation, and your passport. Digital copies and phone photos are not accepted, and without valid originals you cannot drive and cannot get a refund.
The experience
Can I wear a Mario costume?
No. After Nintendo's court win finalized in December 2020, operators stopped providing Nintendo or Mario characters. Costumes today are generic, such as superheroes and animals, and the karts are not affiliated with Nintendo.
Is it safe?
The karts are street-legal vehicles and tours are guided with a safety briefing, so you drive within normal city-traffic limits: red lights, crosswalks, speed limits, no highways. Tours are never self-drive.
Can I film it myself?
Only with a hands-free action camera such as a head-strap GoPro. Using a phone while driving is illegal in Japan, so leave it in your pocket. Your guide also shoots photos along the way.
Does it run in the rain?
Light rain is usually fine, and you are given goggles and gloves. Operators may adjust or let you reschedule in heavy weather, so check your booking's policy.