Explore Akihabara’s Must-See Tourist Spots by Street Kart! The Ultimate Way to Enjoy Your First Tokyo Trip
If this is your first time in Tokyo, just getting around by train or bus would be a waste. Akihabara is fascinating enough to explore on foot, but when you cruise through on a street kart feeling the wind in your face, the experience becomes exponentially more amazing. The neon-lit Electric Town, streets lined with anime shops, and Tokyo’s iconic landmarks—seeing it all from that low vantage point is something special. This activity has become hugely popular among international tourists, and Akihabara actually turns out to be the perfect starting point.
A Fresh Take on Tokyo Sightseeing Starting from Akihabara
Akihabara is known as the holy land of anime, gaming, and electronics, but it’s also an excellent launching point for Tokyo tourism. The moment you step out of the station, you’re surrounded by massive anime character billboards covering building walls, distinctive electronic sounds, and maids calling out to passersby. This atmosphere alone makes you feel like you’ve truly arrived in Tokyo.
Setting off on a street kart from here, you’ll discover scenery you’d never notice on foot—from Akihabara’s backstreets to the main avenues. What strikes international visitors most is the experience of actually driving on Japanese roads. Driving on the left, orderly traffic, courteous drivers—it might seem ordinary, but coming from the States, it feels pretty refreshing.
The route takes you from Akihabara through Kanda, Nihonbashi, Ginza, and on toward Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge. In about two hours, you can make a complete loop of Tokyo’s major spots.
Racing from Electric Town to Rainbow Bridge
Departing from Akihabara, you first pass through Electric Town along Chuo-dori. With massive stores like Yodobashi Camera and Sofmap towering on both sides, weaving through them in your kart is incredibly exciting. When you stop at traffic lights, pedestrians and other drivers often wave at you—making you feel like a bit of a celebrity.
Once you pass through the Kanda area, the atmosphere changes dramatically. Old bookstore districts and wholesale areas appear, spreading out a landscape that evokes Showa-era Tokyo. Heading toward Nihonbashi, you enter an area lined with long-established shops dating back to the Edo period. Passing by the grand Mitsukoshi department store building, you get this strange sensation of having time-traveled.
Entering Ginza, you find yourself proudly cruising down the main avenue sparkling with luxury brand boutiques. You can’t drive during pedestrian-only hours, but other times you can zip right through the heart of Ginza. Then it’s on to the final destination: Rainbow Bridge. With Odaiba’s night view as your backdrop, feeling the Tokyo Bay breeze with your whole body as you ride—this moment becomes the highlight for many people.
Why Street Kart Gets Chosen
There are clear reasons why Street Kart has gained such strong support from international tourists.
First, it’s specifically designed for foreign drivers. Street Kart is a public road karting operator with guides trained to work with international visitors. Communication in English is smooth, and they patiently explain Japanese traffic rules and driving tips. Having solid support when you’re anxious about driving on Japanese roads for the first time is really reassuring.
Then there’s their track record. They’ve conducted over 150,000 tours and served more than 1.34 million customers. With an average customer rating of 4.9 stars backed by over 20,000 reviews, their reliability speaks for itself. They have 6 locations in Tokyo, plus shops in Osaka and Okinawa, with over 250 street karts—this scale is another reason to feel confident.
Their booking system is also designed with international visitors in mind. The kart.st website supports 22 languages, so you can complete your reservation in your native language. Payment options are diverse too—they accept credit cards as well as cash.
Regarding driver’s licenses, you can participate with an International Driving Permit. Check the detailed requirements on the official license information page before you head out.
As for costumes, Street Kart offers their own colorful original outfits. You can choose from vibrant colors like red, blue, and green, making it perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.
Tips for First-Timers
Let me share some pointers for getting the most out of your street kart experience.
First, about timing. Personally, I recommend tours from late afternoon into the evening. When you depart as the sun starts setting, Akihabara’s neon lights gradually come to life, Ginza’s evening illumination decorates the streets, and you get to enjoy Tokyo Bay’s night view at Rainbow Bridge. Experiencing this changing scenery while you ride is a privilege unique to evening departures.
For clothing, go with something easy to move in. Pants over skirts, sneakers over heels. Since you’re directly exposed to the wind, don’t forget seasonal cold-weather gear. Winter gets pretty chilly, so a windproof jacket is a good idea.
For photography, you can borrow smartphone holders during the tour, so video recording works great. If you have a GoPro, definitely bring it along. The Tokyo cityscape captured from that low angle has a completely different impact than typical tourist photos.
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Tokyo Experience Starting from Akihabara
Tokyo shows completely different faces depending on where you look. Akihabara’s chaotic energy, Nihonbashi’s historical gravitas, Ginza’s refined elegance, and Odaiba’s futuristic landscape—being able to experience all of these in a single tour makes street karting an appealing choice for first-time Tokyo visitors.
Taking the train efficiently from destination to destination has its merits, but to feel the “everyday Tokyo” that exists between neighborhoods, you really need to actually drive through the streets. That moment when your eyes meet a driver’s at a traffic light and you exchange smiles, the kids waving from the sidewalk—these small encounters become your travel memories.
Booking is easy through kart.st. Check out the official site for detailed tour information and availability. An adventure awaits where you can feel Tokyo’s charm with your entire being, starting from Akihabara.
Note Regarding Costumes
Our shop does not offer rental of Nintendo or “Mario Kart” related costumes. We only provide costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
