“How is that legal?!”
That is what I say every time I finish go-carting, in traffic, dressed as a video game star, through Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods, without a helmet — or a seatbelt.
It’s called MariCar. NOT Mario Kart as stated specifically on the MariCar website following a copyright infringement lawsuit against Nintendo. I’ve been lucky enough to take on this four times (so far) and each ride is just as fun as the last!
I have great memories of playing MarioKart on Super Nintendo with my brother. I was always Princess Peach. And I always lost. I realize now these early years of crashing into barricades and driving the wrong direction were a strong indication of my future real-life driving skills (or lack thereof). My friends and family can strongly atest to this.
Still, when we moved to Japan and heard about MariCar — it was quickly added to the Japan Bucket List.
But — for many tourists who see Mario and Yoshi whizzing by Tokyo Tower or zooming through Shibuya Crossing and decide to add it to their travel plans — it’s likely too late.
Here’s what you need to do in advance in order to channel your inner Mario, Luigi or Donkey Kong and take on MariCar:
- You’ll need a valid Japanese, SOFA (issued to military members & their families stationed in Japan) or international driver’s license. For U.S license holders, AAA is a good bet for your international driver’s license. Download the application and take it, along with two passport photos, your valid U.S. driver’s license, and a $20 fee to your nearest AAA branch.
- Make a reservation. MariCar is hugely popular and even with seven locations in Tokyo, (there are also locations in Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka and Okinawa) the number of tours each day are limited. Facebook Messenger is the best and fastest way to make your reservation and the team at MariCar is fantastic about following up with instructions and reminders ahead of your visit.
MariCar Day:
Arrive early as you’ll need to take care of a few things before hitting the road including signing waivers as well as showing the license which allows you to drive in Japan and your passport.
After you’ve taken care of the paperwork, it’s time to pick your costume! Selection ranges from classic characters like Mario, Toad, Princess and Bowser to Minions to superheroes like Batman and Spider-Man.
After you’re decked out in the costume of your choice (I’ve opted for Princess Peach, Yoshi and Mario so far!), your tour guide shows you how to operate the go-cart, explaining all of the buttons and knobs you’ll be using along the way.
There isn’t any racing involved in MariCar. After all, you’re driving on real roads with real traffic, so passing or shifting position with someone in your group isn’t allowed unless you’re stopped at a traffic light. Guides will also remind you that you’re not allowed to throw banana peels into the roads — or red & green shells for that matter!
This is a fantastic way to see Tokyo as you cover some serious ground in 2-3 hours, depending on which tour you decide to do. Options include routes that take you past Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa, Ueno Park, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing — even over Rainbow Bridge (not Rainbow Road, but close enough right?!)
It can be intimidating at first, but before you know it, you’ve got the hang of the go-cart and find yourself putting ‘the pedal to the metal’. What may surprise you, is how many people in cars driving along side you and walking on sidewalks who wave and stop to take pictures! Prepare yourself to feel a bit like a celebrity for a couple of hours!
And the icing on the cake — your guide takes great photos along the way and simply AirDrops them to the group once the ride is over.
So the only question… which character will you be as you zip through Tokyo?!