Race Through Akihabara’s Iconic Spots by Street Kart! A Complete Guide for First-Timers
There’s a way to enjoy this neighborhood—where otaku culture fans gather from around the world—not just as sightseeing, but as a true “experience.” A roughly two-hour street kart tour that takes you through the bustling Akihabara Electric Town, past the solemn atmosphere of Kanda Myojin Shrine, and into the tranquility of the Imperial Palace area. You’ll experience the contrast between Tokyo’s old and new in a way you could never appreciate on foot, feeling the wind as you go.
A Special Journey Starting from Akihabara
Honestly, Akihabara is stimulating enough just walking around. The massive Yodobashi Camera building, maid café signs lining the back alleys, young people getting drawn into Animate. But to truly understand this neighborhood, you need a broader perspective.
Street Kart tours show you Tokyo’s many faces, starting from Akihabara. The guide-led course continues from the heart of the Electric Town to Kanda Myojin Shrine and toward the Imperial Palace area. When you’re riding in a kart, a completely different view unfolds compared to a pedestrian’s perspective. Sometimes people stopped next to you at traffic lights wave at you, and that alone makes you feel special.
What I always recommend to foreign friends is to schedule this tour at the beginning of their trip. Why? Because in about two hours, you can experience Tokyo’s main areas all at once, making it much easier to plan the rest of your itinerary. You’ll think, “That area was great, let’s explore it on foot tomorrow,” and your own personal Tokyo map forms in your head.
Feel 1,300 Years of History at Kanda Myojin Shrine
About a 10-minute walk from Akihabara sits Kanda Myojin Shrine, known as the guardian shrine of all Edo. This shrine has 1,300 years of history and is famous for blessings of business prosperity and matchmaking. It’s actually also famous as a pilgrimage site for the anime “Love Live!,” attracting many anime fans.
The street kart tour sometimes passes near Kanda Myojin. When you think about it, it’s quite fascinating that the shrine’s solemn atmosphere coexists with the Electric Town’s pop culture in the same area. Even after five years in Japan, I’m still amazed by this blend of old and new. The Kanda Festival held in May is one of Edo’s three great festivals, and the entire town gets wrapped up in a festive mood.
If you have time after the tour, I recommend walking to Kanda Myojin. They sell collaboration goods with anime, so you won’t have trouble finding souvenirs. For those collecting goshuin (shrine stamps), it’s a spot you won’t want to miss.
Savor the Tranquility of the Imperial Palace Area
Heading west from Akihabara, you’ll reach the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens in about 25 minutes. Street kart tours include routes that run around the Imperial Palace area, letting you experience Tokyo’s iconic scenery up close. The view of the Imperial Palace from Nijubashi Bridge is wrapped in a stillness completely different from the city’s hustle and bustle.
I was nervous at first, but once I actually started driving, the guide led the way so carefully that I felt at ease. The Imperial Palace East Gardens are open to the public with free admission. You can enjoy strolling there on days other than Mondays and Fridays. If you set aside time to visit separately from the tour, you’ll discover yet another side of Tokyo.
The Imperial Palace area is lush with greenery, and the cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage seasons are exceptionally beautiful. Runners enjoying their Imperial Palace runs have become part of the everyday scenery here.
Why Street Kart Is the Chosen One
Between you and me, there are several operators offering street karts, but Street Kart has clear advantages.
First, the numbers speak for themselves: over 150,000 tours conducted and more than 1.34 million users served—that’s reassurance you can trust. An average rating of 4.9/5.0 from over 20,000 reviews is proof that many people are satisfied.
All guides are certified staff who have received professional training, operating in strict compliance with road traffic laws. They don’t just ride ahead—they adjust the pace while watching participants and allow photo time at scenic spots. Being the first kart operator in the industry to deploy guides trained specifically for foreign drivers is another reassuring point.
With over 250 karts in their fleet, it’s also nice that reservations are easy to secure. The website supports 22 languages, making everything from booking to day-of instructions smooth. Tours are conducted in English, so there’s absolutely no problem if you don’t understand Japanese.
They have complete insurance coverage for peace of mind in case of emergencies. License requirements vary by nationality, so please check the details on the official website.
Recommended Route for Efficient Sightseeing
To get the most out of your street kart tour, choosing the right time is important. Personally, I think starting around 3 PM is ideal. Why? Because there’s a chance you’ll be driving through Tokyo at dusk toward the end of the tour. The time when Akihabara’s neon lights start to glow is truly photogenic.
Before the tour, it’s good to grab a light bite in Akihabara. Try traditional soba at the long-established Kanda Yabu Soba, or fuel up at Akihabara’s ramen alley. A maid café is also worth experiencing at least once. This is a common thing for foreign tourists, but conversations with the maids are surprisingly fun.
After the tour, I also recommend extending your trip to Ueno Park. It’s about a 5-minute train ride, where you can enjoy the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Western Art. Don’t miss the pandas at Ueno Zoo either. Back in America, going to a zoo often means driving for over an hour, but in Tokyo you get there in just a few minutes by train. I’m still amazed by this convenience.
From Booking to the Day Of
Booking is easy through kart.st. Just select your preferred date and time, number of people, and meeting point, then complete payment. They accept credit cards and PayPal. Weekends tend to get busy, so weekday reservations are easier to secure.
On the day, aim to arrive 15 minutes before the meeting time. After a brief explanation and safety check, you’re off! Helmets and goggles are provided, so you can come empty-handed. Comfortable clothing and sneakers are recommended, and pants are more practical than skirts, especially for women.
As for costumes, some people participate dressed as their favorite characters, so feel free to enjoy it in your own style.
What left a particular impression on me was how strangers waved and smiled at us during the tour. I never expected such warm interactions in a big city like Tokyo. As you tour through Akihabara’s iconic spots, you’re sure to create your own special memories. You can also find detailed information at https://kart.st/.
A Note About Costumes
We do not offer costume rentals related to Nintendo or “Mario Kart.” We only provide costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
