Gliding across the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart. No one would have believed it, but now tourists, both foreign and Japanese, are talking about just such a thing. Akiba Cart, near Akihabara station, is providing the service. Because the go-karts are treated as miniature cars, all you need is a normal driver’s license to ride them, making them widely available to anyone, and you don’t have to use a seat belt or wear a helmet either. Many of their patrons wear costumes when they ride the carts, and once they are on the road they become the center of attention. Due to this, they are used not only by tourists, but also in event promotions and advertisements. The founder of the company, Daisaku Koyama, came up with the idea for the service. He says he was inspired by the French prankster, Remi Gaillard, who made a video depicting Mario Cart on real roads. He decided he wanted to start “a safe service where you can ride unusual vehicles,” and started the company in April of 2013. The service, which was brought about through sheer coincidence, is now breathing new life into Tokyo’s tourist scene.

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English (Caption & Subtitles) Checked by Devin Vecchio