Ping Cars Vol.12: Cruising Tokyo with Akiba Cart
banzaitokyo
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7 years, 10 months ago
Many people were surprised when Mario made an appearance in a marketing campaign for Mercedes Benz. But actually there is a way to enjoy driving the streets of Tokyo like you are playing Mario Kart for real. These images have been over all social media recently and we went in search of the source.
It wasnt hard to find. Akiba Cart is Japans first rental go-kart service with vehicles that can be driven on public roads.
And perhaps it goes without saying that only in Akihabara would you get something like this.
The guy with the big smile and making the peace sign is Akiba Carts Daisaku Koyama.
This businessman has made a career out of all kinds of unusual enterprises, from a ramen restaurant with only instant noodles to an ice cream parlor with penguins, and more. But he has a habit of losing interest in his businesses after a while and so then its always on to the next one.
He started Akiba Cart when he stumbled across a video on YouTube.
After he looked around for the go-kart being used in the video he found that it came from an importer located in Tokyo. And so he went straight off to check it out and give the go-kart a test drive. It just happened to be lunch time and the streets were full of people. Everyone turned to look at him drive by. And so Koyama got thinking that this was a fail-safe idea for a business. Since he didnt have much in the way of knowledge about selling cars, he figured that a rental service would be easiest.
Drive on a public road. No helmet or seatbelt required!
As long as you have a drivers license valid in Japan anyone can take an Akiba Cart go-kart out onto the regular road. The rental go-karts are legally classified as a microcar, putting them in a halfway bracket between a car and a scooter. And like a moped while you cant take the go-karts out on a highway, you dont need to wear a helmet. Legally the go-karts are cars but since the size is so different, you also dont need a seatbelt. Akiba Cart, though, do offer it as an optional extra for nervous drivers.
It can reach speeds of around 60km/h, much more than the 30km/h of a moped. However, you do have to take care of one thing: you arent allowed to park the go-kart in the usual places!
Being automatic, its also easy to drive, though you may find the steering a bit heavy as theres no power steering. But as the vehicle is so low, the view you get while driving around Tokyo is completely different to what youre used to! And even if youre not aiming to stand out, you can guarantee people will be coming up to take a look.
Enter the cosplayers
Since there are all kinds of copyright issues Akiba Cart doesnt actually offer cosplay costumes for rent but that doesnt stop customers from preparing their own unique driving wear!
(Left) Here Toad leads a caravan of familiar Mario Kart faces. Can you also spot Luigi in the green at the back?
(Right, top) A curious mix of modern transportation and the Warring States period with this historical samurai.
(Right, bottom) Another curious combo, these go-kart drivers have donned auto racing suits. We wonder what it would be like for these guys to overtake us
(Left) Batman, Robin and the Joker, possibly scouting for a new movie shoot location in Akiba?
(Right, top) Is this the dream team of American and Japanese comic book heroes? But who are those suspicious characters in the back there?
(Right, bottom) Well, a Stormtrooper suit would at least offer some protection in a crash, I guess.
(Left) Making a turning at Omotesando, things really look comical from above.
(Right, top) Microcars are also allowed to drive side-by-side so you can have a racing partner. The engines are pretty noisy so its hard to communicate with fellow drivers in front or behind, so we recommend driving in rows. It also means you wont veer off course!
(Right, bottom) Stopping at Shibuyas famous Scramble Crossing means you are bound to attract crowds of admirers.
Like with all motor sports, on the whole people dont have many opportunities to interact with go-karts unless they at least have some interest to start with. But almost all circuits or driving grounds are located in suburbs far from central Tokyo, perhaps with the exception of go-karts at amusement parks.
But with Akiba Cart its like the go-karts have been released right into the city itself, with the whole of Tokyo as your course. You regress to childhood again, desperate for just a few minutes more of driving.
Koyama tells us there are lots of repeat customers among the cosplayers and even some who then start thinking about buying their own go-kart. Akiba Carts next endeavors include possible corporate and advertising tie-ups, as well as even go-kart group blind dates.
Thank you, Akiba Cart!
Dont forget to fill up with gas before you return your go-kart to Akiba!