Have you ever wondered, “I want to take Instagram-worthy photos in Tokyo, but is there an efficient way to visit all the popular spots?” If you feel that conventional tourism takes too much time for travel and limits the number of locations you can visit, street karts are the perfect solution. This article specifically introduces how to efficiently tour Tokyo’s popular photo spots using street karts. After reading this article, you’ll be able to capture many impressive Tokyo landscape photos in a short time. That’s because we explain not only the special angles possible from open-air karts but also spots that are difficult to reach on regular tours. This article explains how photographers can make the most of street karts.
Kart Culture as Global Entertainment
Kart-themed content exists in various forms worldwide. Particularly in the digital entertainment field, there are several popular titles related to karts.
“Mario Kart” is a racing game series developed and published by Nintendo, with the first version released in 1992. It’s a game where popular characters like Mario and Luigi compete in special karts. Its distinctive features include strategy using special items that can’t be experienced in reality and three-dimensional course designs that defy gravity, making it popular digital content among children. Since its release, the series has been developed for various gaming platforms and is beloved by children worldwide.
“Crazy Racing KartRider” is an online kart racing game developed by NEXON in Korea in 2004. It’s a game where customizable, unique characters compete with karts that have various special effects, especially popular among children in Asian regions. As a game combining simple operability with deep strategy, it has also been developed as a smartphone app.
On the other hand, actual street karts are adult-oriented tourist activities that run on Tokyo’s public roads. They are offered as urban entertainment that allows you to experience Tokyo’s streetscape in safe vehicles that comply with Japan’s Road Traffic Act. For photography enthusiasts, they provide a valuable opportunity to capture Tokyo’s scenery from a different perspective.
Popular Tokyo Photo Spots to Visit with Street Karts
The greatest appeal of street karts is enjoying Tokyo’s scenery from perspectives unavailable to regular tourists. From a photography standpoint, several characteristic spots are particularly popular.
Tokyo Tower is one of the landmarks ideal for taking photos from street karts. While conventional tourism often results in looking-up compositions, riding in a kart allows you to capture compositions that leverage the contrast with surrounding skyscrapers. Especially during the magic hour at dusk, the red tower, blue sky, and gradually illuminating cityscape form a beautiful gradient, enabling you to take impressive photos.
The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is also a unique shooting point accessible by street kart. Unlike taking photos from the center of the intersection as a pedestrian, you can capture dynamic photos of the flow of people around you while riding in a kart. Having friends photograph you on the kart with the large displays and pedestrian traffic in the background is also a good idea.
Rainbow Bridge is another ideal spot for photography. The view of the Odaiba area from the bridge offers a sense of openness, and at night, the sparkling water surface of Tokyo Bay and the lights of the buildings create a beautiful contrast. On a street kart, you can take photos while feeling the wind as you cross the bridge, making it suitable for both still and video photography.
Around Sensoji Temple, you can take photos that blend traditional Japanese architecture with modern urban landscapes. Photos with the five-story pagoda or Kaminarimon Gate in the background while riding in a kart will be valuable shots capturing Tokyo’s diverse culture in a single frame.
Photography at these spots is typically done as part of the regular tour. It’s common to stop at safe locations and have time for photos under the guide’s instructions. To participate in street karts, you need a Japanese regular driver’s license or a valid international driving permit. This is a condition based on road traffic laws, as you’ll be driving on actual public roads.
Points and Preparations for Successful Photography
Several points and preparations are important to maximize photography on street karts. First, regarding camera or smartphone handling, photography while driving is strictly restricted for safety reasons. Always take photos when stopped in a safe location.
For camera equipment, choose something compact and easy to operate. While large DSLR cameras can be used, high-performance compact cameras or smartphones are more practical considering storage and ease of access in the kart. A wide-angle lens is helpful for capturing powerful photos of Tokyo’s urban landscape.
Spare batteries and storage media are essential. Battery consumption increases in low temperatures, especially in winter. Also, prepare storage media with sufficient capacity, as you’ll likely take more photos than expected.
Timing is also important. Generally, the magic hour in early morning or evening offers the most beautiful light conditions. Early morning tours mean fewer people, while evening tours allow you to enjoy both daytime and nighttime atmospheres. Scenery also changes significantly with the seasons. Consider choosing your tour timing based on the scenery you want to capture, such as spring cherry blossoms, summer sunsets, autumn foliage, or winter illuminations.
For safety, you must attend a safety briefing before participating in the tour. This briefing will explain basic kart operation, precautions for public road driving, and safety measures during photography. Always follow the guide’s instructions and don’t neglect safety while being absorbed in photography.
For actual shooting, camera settings that consider kart movement and vibration are helpful. Setting a slightly faster shutter speed will result in photos with less blur. Using burst mode helps ensure you don’t miss the best shots. As Tokyo’s scenery often has strong contrasts between light and shadow, HDR functions can be useful if available.
Conclusion: Experiencing Tokyo from a New Perspective
Street karts offer photography enthusiasts an excellent opportunity to capture Tokyo’s charm from new angles. Operating as a legal tourist experience that travels on Tokyo’s actual public roads in strict compliance with Japan’s Road Traffic Act, this activity enables shooting from special perspectives unavailable to regular tourists.
The ability to efficiently tour Tokyo’s representative landmarks such as Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Rainbow Bridge, and Sensoji Temple while taking impressive photos at each location is the unique charm of street karts.
To participate in street karts, you need a Japanese regular driver’s license or an international driving permit. Even first-timers can experience it with peace of mind through pre-tour safety briefings and guide accompaniment. While following the rule of taking photos only when stopped in safe locations, try capturing Tokyo’s diverse expressions from your own perspective.
For camera lovers, street karts are not just a means of transportation but a new shooting experience that stimulates creativity. For detailed information and reservation methods, please check the official website. Take home unforgettable memories along with wonderful photos of Tokyo’s scenery.
