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Racing into Trouble: The Real-Life “Mario Kart” Saga in Tokyo

Unseen Japan
5 min readJul 9, 2024

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Ever wanted to drive a real-life “Mario Kart” around Tokyo? You can — but many people who live in Tokyo really wish you wouldn’t.

Picture: Jon Chica / Shutterstock

By Kristina Rin Fujikake

If the thrill of blasting through Tokyo in a real-life Mario Kart is on your list, you might want to reconsider.

For diehard Mario lovers or those seeking an adrenaline rush, the appeal is obvious. Who wouldn’t want the chance to make their favorite game a reality? Speeding in a go-kart amidst Tokyo’s sparkling lights sounds exciting. It sounds awesome to everyone…except the disgruntled locals.

(Note: “Mario Kart” is a fully owned trademark of Nintendo.)

A unique experience

Street Kart, formerly known as MariCar, boasts the experience of a lifetime. Their website greets you with scrolling logos where they’ve gotten press: CNN, BBC, even National Geographic.

Billing itself as a “must-have” experience, rentals include a communication wristband to chat with your friends, action cameras, and even Bluetooth speakers. There are seven locations in Tokyo, with…

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Unseen Japan
Unseen Japan

Written by Unseen Japan

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