Race Through Tokyo’s Iconic Spots by Kart — A Route Guide That Makes Your First Visit Way More Fun
Waiting for the Light to Turn Green at Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Scramble Crossing, where 3,000 people cross at once. Watching it from a rooftop isn’t bad, but have you ever looked up at it from just a few dozen centimeters off the ground? Sink into the kart seat, feel the heat rising off the asphalt while you wait at the light. Neon reflects off the pavement, and you feel Tokyo’s heartbeat at the same eye level as the people walking around you. This perspective is something only a street kart can give you.
Tokyo has more famous sightseeing spots than you can count. Tokyo Tower, Akihabara, Omotesando, Rainbow Bridge. Hopping between trains with a guidebook in hand is the classic approach, but there’s another option — a guided kart tour where you cruise through Tokyo’s landmarks with the wind in your face.
Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando — One Hour Packed with Culture
The Tour HS course departing from the Shibuya shop takes you through Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando in about one hour. You’ll pass the station front watched over by the Hachiko statue, then climb Dogenzaka by kart as the vibe of the streets gradually shifts.
Once you enter the Harajuku area, you’ll pass near the entrance to Takeshita Street. Known as the epicenter of kawaii culture, this stretch is lined with colorful shops — the kind of place that lifts your spirits just walking through. From the kart’s low vantage point, building signs and street tree details come into sharper focus.
When you hit Omotesando, the atmosphere completely changes. Zelkova trees stretch along both sides, and high-end brand shops line this refined avenue. The sensation of tearing through one of Tokyo’s most sophisticated urban spaces with the engine humming is something you simply can’t get from a train or taxi.
Akihabara to Tokyo Station to Ginza — Where Old Meets New
If there’s another must-hit area for your first Tokyo trip, it’s the stretch from Akihabara to Ginza. The Tour A2S course from the Akihabara shop takes you through Akihabara, Tokyo Station, and Ginza in about one hour.
Akihabara, the starting point, is a subculture mecca packed with anime shops and electronics megastores. As you roll your kart down Chuo-dori past the wall of signs, don’t be surprised when foreign tourists wave at you. Head a bit south and the red-brick Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building comes into view — a designated Important Cultural Property that opened in 1914 and was fully restored in 2012.
Push further and you enter Ginza, one of Japan’s most iconic shopping districts. The Yonchome intersection with the Wako clock tower in view is something else — during the day, sunlight makes the glass facades of the buildings sparkle, and in the evening, the display windows of long-established department stores glow with a warm light. The fact that the same route looks completely different depending on the time of day is what makes Tokyo so fascinating.
Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower — A Special Bay Area Route
If you want to take your time and really soak in Tokyo, the Tour K-M from the Tokyo Bay shop is the way to go. This course takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and loops through Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and the Odaiba area.
When you cross the 798-meter Rainbow Bridge, the wind off Tokyo Bay hits your cheeks head-on. The sea stretches out to your left, and a wall of skyscrapers lines up on your right. Pick a late afternoon departure and you’ll get a drive as the sky turns orange. At night, the bridge lights up in seven colors, creating a completely different, almost dreamlike scene compared to daytime.
Tokyo Tower, standing 333 meters tall, is a landmark you’ve got to see at least once when you’re in Tokyo. Looking up at the red-and-white steel tower from a kart hits different than looking down from the observation deck — it’s a whole other kind of impact. When you pass near Shiba Park, there are spots where your guide will snap photos with the tower as your backdrop.
Why People Choose Street Kart
Street kart lets you pack all this Tokyo sightseeing into one ride, but some first-timers might feel a bit nervous. Here’s why so many tourists end up choosing Street Kart.
First, the track record speaks for itself. They’ve run over 150,000 tours with a total customer count exceeding 1.34 million (as of November 2023). An average rating of 4.9/5.0 stars across more than 20,000 reviews is solid proof that the quality of service is consistent.
Their commitment to safety is thorough. Every guide is a certified staff member who’s completed specialized training — they don’t just lead the way but work to enhance the tour experience while maintaining safe driving practices. All vehicles are officially certified for public road use, and regular inspections and maintenance keep the fleet in top shape. They strictly follow traffic laws, and full insurance coverage is included, so even first-timers can join with confidence.
Street Kart was also the first kart operator in the industry to deploy guides trained specifically for international drivers. In the Tokyo area alone, they have 6 locations (Shinagawa, 2 in Akihabara, Tokyo Bay, and 2 in Shibuya) with a fleet of over 250 public road karts. With that many vehicles, it’s easier to book the date and time you want. Guides also take photos during the tour, so you can focus on driving while still ending up with Instagram-worthy shots.
Getting Ready for Your First Kart Tour
You can book a street kart tour at kart.st. Just pick your preferred shop and time slot, send in your driver’s license info, and you’re all set. On the day, arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for check-in and a safety briefing before the tour kicks off. For details on the license requirements, check the official site ahead of time so you’re good to go.
Wear something casual and comfortable with sneakers. Helmets and goggles are provided at the shop, so no need to bring your own. You can bring a camera or smartphone, but shooting while driving is prohibited by Japanese law. No worries though — your guide will take photos for you during red lights. For more detailed tour info, check here as well.
The thrill of looking up at Tokyo Tower, the rush of cruising past the crowds in Shibuya, the ocean breeze hitting you on Rainbow Bridge. There’s a side of Tokyo here that trains and buses just can’t show you. Block out some time on your next trip’s schedule for a kart tour. Trust me — it’ll completely change the way you see Tokyo.
