The Complete Guide to Street Kart Licenses in Okinawa! Everything Foreign Drivers Need to Know About Requirements and Procedures
Cruising through the streets of Naha while feeling that tropical breeze on a street kart—now that’s something special. Whether you’re taking in the stunning views at Senaga Island or soaking up the buzzing atmosphere of Kokusai Street from that low-to-the-ground perspective, this is one activity that’ll definitely become a highlight of your Okinawa trip. But if you’re new to this, you’re probably wondering: “Can I actually drive one of these with my license?”
Having done the Okinawa kart tour with some mates from back home in Australia, I can tell you that as long as you sort out your license beforehand, everything runs smoothly on the day. In this article, I’ll break down all the license info you need to enjoy street karting in Okinawa, so you can ditch the stress and just focus on having an epic tropical drive.
Types of Driving Licenses You Can Use for Okinawa Street Karts
Since street karts run on public roads, you’ll need a valid driving license that’s recognized under Japanese law. There are basically four types of licenses that work, so it’s worth checking which category you fall into before you go.
First up, travelers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan can use their home country’s driving license combined with an official Japanese translation. You can get this translation from your national automobile association or embassy, and as long as you bring it along with your passport, you’re good to go.
Next, if you’ve got an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, you’re sorted. Over 100 countries are part of this convention—including Australia, Canada, the UK, and most European countries—so if you’ve got an IDP issued in your home country, you can drive karts in Okinawa. Just heads up though: it needs to be the paper booklet type. Digital licenses won’t cut it here.
For US military personnel stationed in Japan, you can participate with your US state driver’s license, SOFA military license, or military ID. Given there are bases in Okinawa, quite a few people will fall into this category. And of course, if you’re a permanent resident or long-term visa holder with a Japanese driver’s license, you’re all set.
Getting an International Driving Permit and Validity Periods
If you’re going the IDP route, there are a few things to keep in mind. The permit itself is valid for one year from the date of issue, but there’s also a restriction that it’s only valid in Japan for one year from your date of entry. So basically, it needs to be within one year of both the IDP issue date AND when you entered Japan.
Best bet is to sort out your IDP before you leave home. You can apply through your country’s automobile association (AAA, RAC, NRMA, etc.), and heaps of places will issue it on the spot. Cost varies by country, but you’re generally looking at around 20-40 bucks.
For folks from those six specific countries (Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Taiwan) who don’t have an IDP, there’s also the option of getting an official Japanese translation. JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) offers a translation service for 5,000 yen per document, which takes 1-2 weeks to process. You can even pick it up on the day of your tour, so if you’re short on time, this could be worth considering.
Why People Choose Street Kart
Street Kart, which runs the street kart experience in Okinawa, is known as the first kart operator in the industry to have guides specifically trained to work with foreign drivers. Their shop is located in Higashimachi, Naha—about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport, which is super convenient.
They’ve welcomed over 1.34 million customers, and the Okinawa location has scored an impressive 5.0/5.0 rating. Behind that high score is their thorough safety management and quality service. Before the tour kicks off, there’s about 15 minutes of safety briefing where they walk you through how to operate the kart, the route, and what to watch out for—so even first-timers can feel confident.
Their website supports 22 languages, making booking and research a breeze. The actual service is provided in English, but the guides are well-versed in working with international visitors, so communication is rarely an issue. With over 150,000 tours under their belt, they’ve got the experience to ensure a smooth ride.
You can also borrow costumes for free on a first-come, first-served basis, which makes for some pretty unique photos. However, please note that Mario Kart-related costumes are not available. Street Kart operates as a completely independent service with no affiliation to Nintendo or the Mario Kart series.
License Checks on the Day and What to Bring
On tour day, you absolutely need to have your original license with you. Copies or photos saved on your phone won’t work—make sure you bring the physical document. If you’re using an IDP, you’ll also need to show your original home country license and passport.
If there’s any issue with your license, unfortunately you won’t be able to join the tour and won’t get a refund either. That’s why checking everything beforehand is so important. Triple-check your license expiry date, IDP issue date, and Japan entry date, and you won’t have any dramas on the day.
For clothing, closed-toe shoes (sneakers are ideal) and comfortable clothes that allow easy movement are recommended. Okinawa’s sun is pretty intense, so sunscreen, a hat, and sunnies will help keep you comfortable. Helmets and goggles are provided free of charge, so no need to bring your own.
For detailed license requirements and the latest info, check out the official kart.st driver’s license page. You’ll find country-specific requirements and translation service details there too.
Okinawa Street Kart Routes and What Makes the Experience Special
The Okinawa shop offers roughly 1-hour and 2-hour courses. The 1-hour course takes you from near Naha Airport through Kokusai Street, where you can watch planes taking off and landing up close and soak in the lively street atmosphere. The 2-hour course extends along the coastline to Senaga Island, including a break to grab some Blue Seal ice cream. The emerald green ocean and the Mediterranean-style Umikaji Terrace look absolutely stunning from the kart.
All tours are guide-led with set routes. You can’t make detours or change the route on your own, but that means you can safely cruise through all the sightseeing spots. The guides will take photos of you during red lights, so you can get some great memory shots without taking your hands off the wheel.
Booking is easy through kart.st. During peak season, booking 2-4 weeks ahead is recommended, though same-day bookings are possible if there’s availability (you’ll need to arrive 30 minutes early). Operating hours are 10:00-22:00, and if you book around sunset, you’ll get to experience Okinawa bathed in those epic golden hour colors. You can also check out more details at https://hp2.stg.streetkart.org/.
So why not sort out your license and head out for a street kart adventure where you can really feel the Okinawa wind? The combination of that tropical freedom and the thrill of karting makes for one seriously exciting adventure.
A Note About Costumes
Please note that we do not offer Nintendo or Mario Kart-related costumes for rental. We only provide costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
