Shibuya: Go Kart Street Tour & Costume Ride Crossing

4.92

(149 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the weirdly comforting weight of the costume—mine was this floppy-eared thing, not sure what character it was supposed to be. The shop was tucked just 15 minutes from Ebisu Station, and as soon as we stepped in, you could smell that faint mix of rubber tires and whatever detergent they use on the costumes. Our guide, Kenji, grinned at my choice and said something about “Tokyo fashion,” which made me laugh because, honestly, I looked ridiculous. But everyone did. That’s kind of the point.

Driving a go kart through Shibuya isn’t something you can really prepare for. The engine isn’t loud but you feel every bump—especially when you hit Dogenzaka and the road gets busier. People on the sidewalks started waving and snapping photos before we even reached Shibuya Crossing. I didn’t expect to feel so… noticed? There’s this second where you’re waiting at the crossing light, surrounded by all these neon signs and crowds moving like rivers on either side, and then suddenly you’re part of it—just rolling right through the famous scramble in a cartoon suit. Some high school kids shouted “kawaii!” at us. I waved back but almost missed the green light.

Kenji kept checking on us over his little radio, making sure nobody got left behind or lost in traffic (it’s more organized than it looks). We looped around SHIBUYA109—the building is even flashier up close—and zipped past a couple more landmarks I recognized from way too many Instagram reels. My hands smelled faintly of gasoline after a while, but it didn’t bother me; it just felt real. There was this moment where everything went quiet for half a block—no horns or music—and I caught myself grinning under that silly mask.

I still think about how surreal it felt to be both inside and outside Tokyo at once—like you’re watching yourself star in some late-night anime episode. It’s not just about speed (you don’t actually go that fast), but about seeing Shibuya from ground level with people cheering you on for no reason except that you showed up dressed as Pikachu or Mario or whatever you grabbed off the rack. The city feels different when everyone’s looking right at you—and somehow it makes you see them differently too.