Where the concierge points people first
- えびす屋浅草店 (浅草人力車） Ebisuya Asakusa Rickshaw Tour — Rickshaw rides around Asakusa with a puller who doubles as the guide, from a short loop to a longer circuit of the back streets. Rides seat one or two, so a family splits across rickshaws. (35.7051, 139.7804)
- Japan Gray Line Inbound Tour — One of the long-standing coach tour companies for foreign visitors, running English-guided city tours and day trips out of Tokyo. The option for seeing a lot in a day without planning transport yourself. (35.6848, 139.7414)
- Tokyo Great Cycling Tour — Guided bike tours on quieter routes through the city, with bikes provided. A good way to see how the neighborhoods join up, and flat enough for most riders. (35.6786, 139.7817)
- JAPANKART — Street go-karting on public roads from Sumida, in a convoy behind a guide. Fun, loud and entirely dependent on bringing the correct license, see below. (35.7101, 139.8026)
The rest of the tour operators in Tokyo — every one we hold
- Aloha Go-Kart (35.6527, 139.7544)
- Karate Chop (35.6972, 139.7703)
- Tokyo Biking Tours (35.6732, 139.7956)
- アルパインツアーサービス (35.6661, 139.7535)
- サハダイヤモンド (35.6910, 139.7977)
- ヒマラヤ観光開発 (35.6652, 139.7588)
- ぷらっと築地 (35.6651, 139.7701)
- プラネットアドベンチャー (35.6560, 139.6926)
- ミキキートス (35.6884, 139.7029)
- ワールドツアープランナーズ (35.6539, 139.7548)
- 株式会社サイテキ (35.6777, 139.7806)
Street go-karts need the right driving permit
Driving a street go-kart on Tokyo's roads counts as driving a car, so operators ask for a Japanese license or an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. A handful of countries, including Germany, France, Switzerland and Taiwan, instead need an official Japanese translation of their home license. An IDP from a country outside that system, or a photo of a license on a phone, will not do. Sort the permit at home before the trip, because it cannot be issued in Japan. Note too that some agencies in this list, such as ヒマラヤ観光開発 and アルパインツアーサービス, sell mountain trips abroad rather than Tokyo tours.
Questions people ask
What are the best tours in Tokyo?
For Asakusa, a rickshaw with えびす屋浅草店 (浅草人力車） Ebisuya Asakusa Rickshaw Tour. For covering ground, Japan Gray Line Inbound Tour or Tokyo Great Cycling Tour. For something noisy, JAPANKART, permit in hand.
Do I need an international driving permit for go-karting in Tokyo?
Yes, unless you hold a Japanese license. It must be a 1949 Geneva Convention permit, or an official Japanese translation for the few countries that use that route instead.
How many tour operators are there in Tokyo?
Num's directory maps 15 tour operators in Tokyo, from city guides to street go-kart companies and travel agencies that specialize in trekking abroad.
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