How to Drive Moonview Highway IRL: Mario Kart Japan [2025]

Feb 2

LAST UPDATED: FEBRUARY 2, 2025 | EST. READING TIME: 7 MIN

IN THIS GUIDE ✺

Woman in animal costume enjoying street karting in Tokyo.

If you’ve ever daydreamed about Tokyo drifting through glowing neon streets at night—Mario, Luigi, or Princess Peach style—welcome to real life Mario Kart in Japan. You’ve likely seen viral videos of tourists zipping around Tokyo in colorful costumes, crossing Shibuya like it’s Rainbow Road as this unforgettable experience has become a bucket-list item for travelers worldwide.

As a self-proclaimed travel maximalist, I couldn’t resist the chance to suit up in a goofy costume and race through the city I’d always dreamed of exploring by kart. Find answers to all your burning questions below, from Mario Kart Japan price details and how to book your own Mario Kart Japan tour, to insider tips from my own drive with Street Kart Shibuya.

#1. What Is Mario Kart in Japan?

Colloquially known as Mario Kart in Japan, these organized go-kart tours on public streets allow travelers to don wacky costumes—often inspired by iconic Nintendo characters from the Japanese gaming company—and zoom around Tokyo’s most famous districts.

While this experience has no official ties to Nintendo’s “Mario Kart” brand, tourists still refer to it as “Mario Kart Japan” since drivers dress as their favorite characters while whipping go-karts through the bustling metropolis—which is essentially what the popular Wii racing game depicts!

Why Is It So Popular?

It’s a one-of-a-kind way to see Tokyo, blending sightseeing with a sheer adrenaline rush. These karts hit speeds that allow you to Tokyo drift around winding turns, a move that’s especially exaggerated if this is your first time driving on the left side of the road!
Embrace your inner gamer by wearing costumes reminiscent of Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, or your favorite character from other popular Japanese franchises like Pokémon.
This excursion offers unforgettable photo ops whether you’re traversing Shibuya Crossing in costume or cruising beneath Akihabara’s neon signs.

Group of street karts driving through Tokyo for sightseeing.

#2. Where Is Mario Kart in Japan? (Shibuya & Akihabara)

While “Mario Kart” experiences can pop up in various Japanese cities, Tokyo remains the most popular choice. Two districts in particular offer the closest real world Moonview Highway experience:

Shibuya
- Famed for the world’s busiest crossing, youth culture, and neon-lit nightlife.
- Street Kart Shibuya (more on them below) operates tours that drive past iconic areas like Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, and Omotesando.
Akihabara
- Known for anime, manga, and electronic shops, this is the quintessential “otaku” district in Tokyo.
- Go-karting here often provides a more futuristic vibe, weaving between bright LED signboards and arcades.

Some providers run tours in other Tokyo neighborhoods like Asakusa or cities like Osaka. But Shibuya and Akihabara remain the go-to hotspots for first-time travelers looking to recreate that Wii racing experience.

Street kart at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.

#3. How Much Does It Cost to Do Mario Kart in Japan?

Mario Kart Japan excursion prices vary based on the tour provider, location, and any optional extras. For a 1-hour tour in Tokyo, you can typically expect to pay:

Base Price: Approximately 12,000–16,000 JPY for a 1-hour ride (around $80–$105 USD, depending on exchange rates). Extended tours up to 2 hours long jump in price towards 20,000 JPY.
What’s Included: Kart rental, fuel, insurance, and basic costume selection. Photo packages or premium costumes incur additional fees.
- Cruising with Street Kart Shibuya, I did get a photo print-out from the ride for free!
Factors Affecting Price: Time slot, group size, and currency fluctuations. Some companies advertise lower promotional rates during off-peak seasons or midweek slots, while weekend and night tours cost more. Popular times like sunset fill quickly, and last-minute bookings sometimes come with surcharges.
- Don’t forget International Driving Permit costs. Obtaining an IDP for $20 adds to your overall expenses, so factor that in if you don’t already own one.

If you’re specifically looking at Street Kart Shibuya, plan to spend 14,000 JPY for a one-hour tour. While go-karting through Tokyo’s iconic streets isn’t the cheapest activity, this once-in-a-lifetime experience is well worth the price.

Women enjoying Mario Kart street karting in Tokyo.

Already planning a trip to Tokyo? Check out my ultimate 3 days in Tokyo travel guide detailing everything you need to know when visiting the Japanese capital.

#4. How to Drive Mario Kart in Japan?

Driving a street kart alongside cars—and on the opposite side of the road—in Japan might seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite straightforward as long as you’re prepared:

#1. Obtain a valid International Driving Permit (IDP)

To legally drive in Japan, you need an international permit (plus your home country license) if you’re not a Japanese resident.
Double-check your country’s permit regulations and get an IDP for $20 from a local AAA office before leaving home.
- Bring a valid U.S. driver's license and two original passport pictures if you have them handy to your nearest AAA branch office. Fill out the application form, and an agent will snap your photo if one is needed. IDPs must be issued within six months of the desired effective date.

#2. Reserve a tour time in advance

These go-kart tours are popular, especially during peak travel seasons like the cherry blossom spring and temperate fall foliage.
Make a reservation several weeks ahead for the best selection.

#3. Follow the Tour Guide

Arrive earlier than your scheduled departure time with a passport and IDP in hand to fill out liability waivers and watch an instructional safety demonstration.
- The Street Kart Shibuya tour recommends arriving 30 minutes early, but we were fine with only 20 minutes to spare.
Receive a quick orientation before hitting the road. A guide leads the group with hand signals corresponding to two different driver formations. They’ll also snap group photos when stopped at red lights.

#4. Comply with Local Traffic Laws

These go-karts are street legal, so traffic lights, speed limits, and safe driving practices apply. Stick with your group and yield to pedestrians. Don’t take photos or videos with your cell phone while driving, instead use a GoPro mount if the company allows it.

Mario Kart Japan guide snapping a photo of drivers while stopped at a red light.

#5. How to Book Mario Kart in Japan?

Go-kart tours around Japan can be booked in a few ways:

Official Tour Provider Websites
- Street Kart Shibuya and other providers like Akiba Kart allow direct booking of street kart tours via their websites.
- Select a tour date and time, opt for any extras like photo packages (although these can also be added-on the day of), and pay a deposit or the full amount in advance.
Online Travel Agencies
- Third-party excursion platforms like Klook, Viator, or GetYourGuide list various go-kart tours in Tokyo.
- Check user reviews to compare similar offerings between different operators.
In-Person
- Some travelers attempt walk-ins. However, popular tours like these often sell out in advance, so this is risky unless your itinerary is flexible.

When booking, ensure the provider mentions they run street-legal go-karts and clearly details their compliance with local transportation policies.

Two girls in bear onesies posing in front of the Street Kart Shibuya garage.

#6. My Experience: Street Kart Shibuya

Ever since I watched Indy Blue’s Japan vlog in 2018, I’ve had “Mario Kart racing” down the streets of Shibuya on my travel bucket list, and after finally living out this dream I can confirm it’s even more fun than it looks!

During my first trip to Tokyo, I booked a Mario Kart Japan adventure with Street Kart Shibuya. Here’s my personal rundown of this one-of-a-kind travel experience:

Location & Check-In: Their Shibuya shop is tucked near major subway stations. Our guide Dalton was super friendly and spoke English which made the briefing a breeze. Afterwards, we grabbed JBBQ for lunch just down the road at Gyu-Kaku.
Costumes: The best part! A whole rack of outfits from superhero suits to Pokemon creature costumes greeted me. I picked a white bear onesie because the cute puffball tail and blushing hoodie spoke to me—plus they had another matching costume for my friend!
- Knowing you’re about to put on a borrowed onesie, I’d avoid wearing a dress. Wear closed toed sneakers for safe driving as well.
Tour Route: We zipped past Shibuya Crossing, caught glimpses of Harajuku’s trendy crowd, and even cruised by Omotesando with luxury shops and cafes dotting the background. Truly surreal.
- If you’re unsure about navigating tight city corners (or accidentally hitting a Tokyo drift), no worries—the go-karts are surprisingly easy to handle. Just remember the basic rules from orientation and you’ll be good to go!
Cruising with Ease: The karts are super simple to drive. Once you rev up the engine and get going there’s just two pedals to keep track of for going and braking, plus left and right turn signal buttons. Cruising through the bustling city lights felt like stepping into a futuristic video game. Passersby waved and snapped photos, adding to our momentary celebrity status.

This was truly an unforgettable memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, and I found myself spontaneously shouting for joy throughout the ride, giggling at the absurdity of the scene we were a part of.

Mario Kart Tokyo driver posing for a selfie while driving a street kart.

#7. Mario Kart Japan: Night vs. Day Tours

Many first-time travelers debate between booking Mario Kart Japan night tours vs. daytime rides. Both are magical in their own way:

Night Tours:
- Pros: Fewer pedestrians holding up the drive, cooler temperatures to stay comfortable in furry costumes, dazzling neon lights in districts like Shibuya or Akihabara.
- Cons: Visibility can be lower in the dark amidst blinding lights, and tours may cost a bit more.
Day Tours:
- Pros: Better photo ops in natural light, a chance to see local neighborhoods and the busiest pedestrian intersection bustling with daytime energy.
- Cons: Heavier traffic, more pedestrians and vehicles to dodge, and hotter conditions in summer which can make those borrowed onesies super sweaty.

If it’s your first time, consider an evening ride for that iconic neon-soaked Tokyo vibe. Alternatively, day tours are excellent if you want to appreciate the city’s architecture and people-watching. A sunset or dusk tour gives you the best of both worlds!

Single file row of street karts driving through Tokyo in Mario Kart Japan experience.

Mario Kart Japan Final Thoughts

Racing through Tokyo’s neon-lit streets in a go-kart is more than a novelty; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime way to see the city from a whole new angle.

Whether you suit up as Mario, Pikachu, or a random superhero, Mario Kart Japan tours deliver an adrenaline rush that merges sightseeing, gaming nostalgia, and an epic Instagrammable moment.

If you’re crunched for time, consider a shorter, high-impact 1-hour ride in Shibuya.
For the ultimate geek-chic experience, ride in Akihabara, the Mario Kart Japan Tokyo district that’s all about anime culture and blazing LED signs.
Whichever route you choose, keep your IDP handy, book early, and prepare to wave at a lot of smiling onlookers. Trust me—it’ll be a trip highlight you’ll rave about for years.

Ready to make your own Mario Kart memories? As soon as you’re done reading, go forth, book that tour, and let Tokyo become your own real-life Moonview Highway!

Have questions or a crazy story from your own live Mario Kart Japan ride? Drop a comment below or check out more of our Tokyo tips on Destination 195—where travel maximalists turn bucket list experiences into reality.

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