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Back in 2019, just before the pandemic, the annual number of overseas tourists to Japan peaked at a record high 31.9 million, before dropping drastically to 4.1 million the following year, and then 245,000 in 2021.
Needless to say, businesses that relied heavily on income from international tourists suffered greatly in the past two years, with many falling silent indefinitely. One of those businesses was Street Kart, which runs go-kart tours in Tokyo where participants — made up almost exclusively of international tourists — dress in character onesies while driving the vehicles.
Originally known as MariCar, until they were sued by Nintendo for intellectual property infringement in 2017 and ordered to pay 50 million yen as a result in 2020, the business ended up being so out of pocket during the pandemic it ran a crowdfunding campaign to help stay afloat, but received very little support.
The crowdfunding campaign, largely aimed at locals, attracted only four backers in two months, and out of the two-million yen target goal they’d set for themselves, just 11,569 yen was raised.
It would appear that locals are more interested in officially endorsed Mario experiences, rather than faux ones that get in everyone’s way.
The dismal support reflects the dismal view of the go-kart tours held by a large number of locals, many of whom find the modified vehicles to be noisy, annoying and dangerous. This view isn’t totally unfounded, given the numerous accidents caused by drivers of the go-karts on unfamiliar roads.
So when the go-karts disappeared from Tokyo in 2020, given there weren’t enough international tourists around to book them, a lot of people in Japan mistakenly thought the business had shut up shop for good.
However, with the reopening of borders to international tourists from Oct 11, overseas visitors have returned to Japan, and as a result, Street Kart sightings are back on the rise. People have been taking to Twitter to share photos of the go-karts, and a lot of them aren’t so happy to see the vehicles on the roads again, saying:
“Do foreign tourists realize these karts worsen noise and air pollution in Tokyo?”
“It’s not just Tokyo, I’ve seen them in Sapporo too.”
“These karts won’t ever be regulated until a death occurs.”
“Tourism may be important, but accidents and traffic delays also have a negative impact on the economy.”
“Nintendo must be pissed off to see them back, they wouldn’t want their brand associated with an accident.”
“Make it legal to throw turtle shells at these guys.”
While it might be tempting to throw Koopa Shells and Banana Peels in the path of these vehicles, it’s best to give them a wide berth and keep out of their way. If you do want to experience the real world of Nintendo in Japan, though, you might want to travel out of Tokyo and down to the Kansai region, where you can visit Super Nintendo World and stay overnight in the former headquarters in Kyoto, where the company began almost a century ago.
Sources: Jin, Hachima Kikou
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Street Kart company famous for Super Mario karts ends crowdfunding campaign with dismal support
-- MariCar Mario Kart driver mounts pavement, causes serious damage in Tokyo accident
-- Tokyo’s “real-life Mario Kart” go-kart rental company loses lawsuit against Nintendo
- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2022/10/28/tourists-return-to-japan-and-mario-karts-return-to-tokyo-roads-with-them/
13 Comments
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thepersoniamnow
tokyo_m
Agree with you on this.
You get snobby Kyoto comments saying “foreigners need to get this or understand that”…
This entire scenerio thats been going on is from Japan, owned by locals, and its them making money too.
I dont see anyone annoyed at Bosozoku gangs or ultra nationalists being much much worse. If they were foreigners, I bet they’d get shut down.
Stewart Gale
No one seems bothered about the regular noise pollution caused by bosozoku, election trucks, kerosene trucks, recycle trucks, warabi mochi trucks or the ultra nationalists and their huge loud speakers.
These go carts can’t be any noisier or obtrusive than any of them.
I did the Mario Car experience a few years ago in Tokyo, it was great fun. I’m pleased it’s back.
garypen
I can't believe the police allow this nonsense. Surely there must be some traffic safety laws that these annoying ridiculous little "vehicles" violate. If not, they should enact them. I can't believe a nation with such a plethora of rules and regulations about every little thing doesn't already prohibit them.
Additionally, the cops should be pulling them over, and checking to make sure every driver has a valid international driver permit or accepted foreign license. If they inconvenience them enough, and word gets around, maybe their popularity will wane.
garypen
I'm pretty sure a lot of Japanese complain about them.
thepersoniamnow
I’m Japanese, they do a bit, but Im talking about Japanese media always calling out foreigners, as if the problem is that.
canigetawhatwhat
How about those trucks blasting that awful jpop with some host or idol group on the side
factchecker
They're a pest.
ClippetyClop
You have to show such things when you rent one, as I have done many times. You don't just hand over 10 grand and they give you the keys.
Bah humbug. Maybe they should create a Fun Police Force, you can lead it.
garypen
No. That would be bad. However, a police force tasked with ensuring public safety might be a good thing.
ClippetyClop
In what way do carts endanger public safety? You obviously have some stats.
Ritesh
The article doesn’t make any sense. This is one of the best experience for tourists. If you talk about safety : They give safety lectures and explain all the things thoroughly before they start the tour. Regarding Japanese people : Most of the locals they wave hands and take pictures. Also they are guided by tour guides one in the front and one in the back so proper care is taken by their tour guides. I must say many tourists travel to Japan for experiencing just this activity.