JAPANKART Kanda Branch — Local services in Tokyo

Dear tourists,

I truly appreciate that you’ve chosen Tokyo as your travel destination—it’s a vibrant city full of history, culture, and everyday life. I’m a resident living near one of the routes used by this street go-kart tour office, and I’d like to share a local perspective that’s often overlooked.

If you consider yourself a respectful traveler, I kindly ask you not to use this service—or any similar street kart operator. Public roads in Tokyo are not meant to be a place where foreign tourists “freak out” in Mario Kart costumes. These streets are part of our daily lives: people commute to work, take their kids to school, ride bicycles, and walk to the grocery store.

Among central Tokyo residents, street go-karts are almost universally despised. Many of us are deeply frustrated by their poor manners and disregard for safety. Common issues include ignoring red lights, weaving unpredictably through traffic, and making sudden unexplained stops that confuse and endanger other drivers. It’s not uncommon to see riders taking selfies at red lights and then failing to move once the light turns green.

I’ve even witnessed a group of karts (perhaps from this company, perhaps another) refusing to yield to an oncoming ambulance—something unthinkable to most residents here.

We locals don’t yell or throw things—we’re too polite for that—but please don’t mistake our silence for approval. In truth, many of us harbor strong resentment toward street kart users, even if we never say it out loud. We simply want to live peacefully in our own neighborhoods.

Thank you for reading—and for respecting the lives of the people who call this city home.

Addressing the business owner's comment: I was pretty sure that you'd say something like “We operate with the highest safety standards,” or “Our tours fully comply with Japanese traffic laws.” But that’s not the point—and I’m pretty sure deep down you know it too. The issue is not about technical legality. The real problem is that these tours exploit public infrastructure—built and maintained by Japanese taxpayers, including many foreign residents—for the sake of private entertainment. And in doing so, they undermine the safety, dignity, and peace of the communities who depend on those roads every single day.

Though “public enemy” might be a too strong phrase—and honestly, it’s the last label I would ever want to use—it does reflect the deep frustration felt by some members of the community. It would be wise to seriously reconsider your business model and shift towards a completely new form of tourism that respects and preserves the daily lives of...

Japan Kart Tokyo – The Ultimate Street Racing Adventure!

If you’re looking for an unforgettable, adrenaline-fueled experience in Tokyo, Japan Kart is an absolute must-do! This two-hour adventure lets you zip through the city’s most iconic locations in a street-legal go-kart, dressed in a fun onesie of your choice. It’s like stepping into a real-life video game, but with the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo as your backdrop.

From the moment you arrive, the Japan Kart team is welcoming, efficient, and laser-focused on both fun and safety. After a quick but thorough briefing, you hit the road—starting from Kanda and cruising past legendary sights like the Imperial Palace, Omotesando, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Miyashita Park, Roppongi, Tokyo Tower, and Tokyo Station before returning to Kanda. The thrill of navigating Tokyo’s bustling streets, with locals and tourists waving and snapping photos, is simply surreal.

What sets this experience apart is the attention to safety and detail. Guides in front and rear vehicles ensure a smooth ride while keeping an eye on traffic and kart performance. Even first-timers will feel comfortable and confident thanks to their guidance.

Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, Japan Kart is an absolute bucket-list experience. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, sightseeing, and pure fun. If you’re in Tokyo, don’t even...

Amazing experience and one of the highlights of our trip. The team spoke perfect English and answered any questions. You can choose from a range of costumes to wear and then watch a safety briefing video for an overview of key road rules and instructions on how to drive the karts before being taken down to for a demo, getting buckled in and familiar with the pedals and buttons etc. I was the only female in our group of 8 and was a bit anxious about driving the kart on the road but I didn’t need to be - we had a car leading in front, a van behind and a motorcycle at the side during the whole 2-hour route so I felt really safe and well looked after the entire time. It started to rain a little during our drive and team offered raincoats for us to wear. The team are strict with the paperwork so make sure you have the correct documents you need to drive the karts. You’re not allowed to use your phone while driving for obvious safety reasons but the team take loads of photos and videos and share them afterwards via airdrop (iPhone users). I looked at a few companies beforehand and I’m so glad we decided to book...