The Mario Kart in Tokyo and Japan experience where you dress up as your favourite Mario Kart character and drive a Go Kart around the streets of Tokyo up to a speed of 60 kmh is one which many visitors to Japan are keen to experience.  Many of our readers have asked questions about where and how to book the Mario Kart experience so we decided to put together this comprehensive guide to respond to these questions.

The original experience was pioneered in Akihabara in Tokyo in 2011, and has since then become one of the most popular tours for tourists.  Because of its popularity additional locations have been established in many great locations including multiple locations within Tokyo, Yokohama, Mt Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa.

Note that COVID19 caused the Maricar attraction to shut down, howver some branches have now started to re-open, so ensure you check current status before making your booking

As each Go Kart can only hold one occupant who is the holder of a drivers licence, what this means is that only adults can book a Mario Kart experience, and it is therefore not a feasible option for children or anyone without a driver’s licence.

For all locations plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your booking, and have the expectation that the first 30 minutes will be focused on getting your costume, verifying your drivers licence and receiving a briefing on how to drive your Mario Kart.

Below I have provided information about all of the locations you can experience Mario Kart in Japan, including how to make your booking.

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You are also welcome to join our Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and our new Japan Travel Planning Discord Server – they are great resources to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Japan!

Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You MUST have a Japanese Drivers Licence, Japanese SOFA Licence or a Drivers Licence and an International Drivers Permit (IDP)

Drivers without a Japanese driver’s licence or Japanese SOFA driving licence strictly MUST bring their passport and one set of the following:

1) A driving licence from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland or Taiwan; and a official Japanese translation provided by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or the country’s embassy or consulate in Japan.

OR

2) Both a driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

IMPORTANT: IDPs based on the 1968 Vienna Convention are NOT valid.

For more information on how to purchase an International Drivers Permit (IDP) check out my article on this topic.  Note that you must purchase an IDP before you depart your home country.

Mario Kart Locations in Japan

The locations in Japan where you can have the Mario Kart experience are as follows, with further information on each option lower in the article.

You may notice that in the options below I have included multiple different companies (Klook, Viator, Voyagin, Get Your Guide and KK Day) through which you can make your booking.  The reason for this is that no one company offers the full set of Mario Kart experiences, and there are slightly different packages on offer by each company.  I have recommended the one which has the best deal, and have also included the alternatives to enable you to book through the company which is most familiar to you.  All of these companies are reputable online travel agencies and can be relied upon to make your booking.

Mario Kart in Akihabara in Tokyo

This is the best known Mario Kart in Japan as it is the original site for the concept, and is located in the north of Tokyo.

The best option to book Mario Kart in Akihabara is through the Klook website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Klook represents the best value.  The Klook package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Akihabara
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Akihabara through Klook   1 / 2 / 3 / 5 hours (kart only) – $US 28 / 38 / 55 / 88 (per person) Add ons (which appear during check out): 1 / 2 / 3 / 5 Hour English Driver Guide – $US 24 / 48 / 72 / 120 per group Departures hourly from 10am to 7pm, must return by 8pm
Costume Hire:	Included.  You can also purchase costumes at the nearby Don Quixote shop.
Refuelling:	You have to fill the fuel tank up before you return the kart.  A charge of 800 Yen per kart will be charged if the fuel tank is not full.

Mario Kart in Asakusa, Tokyo

Asakusa is located on the northern side of Tokyo and is close to the Tokyo Skytree.

The best option to book Mario Kart in Asakusa is through the Voyagin website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Voyagin represents the best value.  The Voyagin package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Asakusa
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Asakusa through Voyagin   1 or 2 hours, including a guide – $US 48 / 67 per person Add ons available in store include Go Pro rental and Micro SD card for photos Departures 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm and 6.30pm
Costume Hire:	Included.
Refuelling:	Is included in the tour price.

Mario Kart in Shinagawa, Tokyo

Shinagawa is located on the southern side of Tokyo and is close to the Haneda Airport.  This tour departs from close to Kita-Shinagawa station.  If you have a layover in Haneda airport this is a great option to make the most of your time.

The best option to book Mario Kart in Shinagawa is through the Viator website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Viator represents the best value.  The Viator package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Shinagawa
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Shinagawa through Viator   2 or 3 hours, including a guide – $US 71 / 94 per person Add ons available in store include Go Pro rental and Micro SD card for photos Departures 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm and 6.30pm
Costume Hire:	Included, and helmets are available.
Refuelling:	Is included in the tour price.

Mario Kart in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba, Tokyo

Odaiba is located on the southern side of Tokyo and is close to the Haneda Airport.  This tour departs from close to Shinkiba Station.  If you have a layover in Haneda airport this is a great option to make the most of your time.

The best option to book Mario Kart in Odaiba is through the Viator website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Viator represents the best value.  The Viator package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Odaiba
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Odaiba through Viator:   2 or 3 hours, including a guide – $US 71 / 94 per person Add ons available in store include Go Pro rental and Micro SD card for photos Departures – 2 hour tour – 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm.  3 hour tour – 10am, 2pm, 6pm
Costume Hire:	Included
Refuelling:	Is included in the tour price.

Mario Kart in Roppongi, Tokyo

Roppongi is located on the southern side of Tokyo and is close to the Haneda Airport.  If you have a layover in Haneda airport this is a great option to make the most of your time.

The best option to book Mario Kart in Roppongi is through the Voyagin website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Voyagin represents the best value.  The Voyagin package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Roppongi
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Roppongi through Voyagin:   1 or 2 hours, including a guide – $US 48 / 67 per person Add ons available during checkout include Go Pro rental and Micro SD card for photos Departures 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
Costume Hire:	Included.
Refuelling:	Is included in the tour price.

Mario Kart in Yokohama

Yokohama is located 35km south of Tokyo.  If you are arriving or departing from Yokohama on a cruise ship this is a great option to make the most of your time.

The best option to book Mario Kart in Yokohama is through the Voyagin website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Voyagin represents the best value.  The Voyagin package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Yokohama
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Yokohama through Voyagin:   1 or 2 hours (kart only) – $US 40 / 57 per person Add on available during checkout is a guide (non English speaking) for 1 or 2 hours – $US 36 or $US 53 per group Other add ons available during checkout include Go Pro rental for $US 43 per hour Departures hourly from 10am to 7pm
Costume Hire:	Included.
Refuelling:	For 1 hour refuelling is included, for 2 hours you need to refuel before handing your kart back.

Mario Kart in Mt Fuji

Doing a Mario kart tour around the Lake Kawaguchiko are of Mt Fuji is a great way to take in the sights!  The starting point for the tour is close to Kawaguchiko Station, which is located just over 2 hours by bus from Tokyo Station.

The best option to book Mario Kart in Mt Fuji is through the KK Day website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and KK Day represents the best value.  The KK Day package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Mt Fuji
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Mt Fuji through KK Day:   1 or 2 hours (kart only) – $US 55 / 82 per person Departures 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm
Costume Hire:	NOT Included, additional fee of 5500 Yen ($US 50)
Refuelling:	You need to refuel before handing your kart back.

Mario Kart in Osaka

You may not realise that you can also go on a Mario Kart tour in Osaka and check out the sights!

The best option to book Mario Kart in Osaka is through the Voyagin website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Voyagin represents the best value.  The Voyagin package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Osaka
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Asakusa through Voyagin:   1 or 2 hours, including a guide – $US 43 / 65 per person Departures 1 hour tour – 5pm only, 2 hour tour – 10am, 12.30pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6pm
Costume Hire:	Included.
Refuelling:	Is included in the tour price.

Mario Kart in Kyoto

You may not realise that you can also go on a Mario Kart tour in Kyoto and check out the sights!

The best option to book Mario Kart in Kyoto is through the Viator website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Viator represents the best value.  The Viator package includes insurance.

Location:	Mario Kart Kyoto
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Kyoto through Viator:   2 or 3 hours, including a guide – $US 122 / 177 per person Departures – 9am or 1pm
Costume Hire:	Included
Refuelling:	Is included in the tour price.

Mario Kart in Okinawa

You may not realise that you can also go on a Mario Kart tour in Naha in Okinawa and check out the sights!

The best option to book Mario Kart in Okinawa is through the Viator website.  I have compared pricing with other vendors and Viator represents the best value.  You have to pay an additional insurance fee of 500 yen ($US 5) at the shop which is non-refundable.

Location:	Mario Kart Okinawa
Kart Rental Options and Costs:	Click here to book Mario Kart Okinawa through Viator:   2 hours, including a guide – $US 71 per person Departures – 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm
Costume Hire:	Included
Refuelling:	Is included in the tour price.

You may also be interested in the following articles:

• Where to Stay in Tokyo With a Japan Rail Pass
• FAQ: Where To Purchase Robot Restaurant Discount Tickets
• Easiest Options to Get from Narita Airport to Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa
• Easiest Options to Get from Narita Airport to Yokohama
• Voyagin Tours and Tickets for Japan

Join the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group or Discord Server

You are also welcome to join our Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and our new Japan Travel Planning Discord Server – they are great resources to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Japan!

Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.