Explore Okinawa’s Must-See Spots by Street Kart! Scenic Driving Routes Perfect for Beginners
Why is “taking the wheel yourself and racing through breathtaking scenery” becoming such a hot topic among tourists visiting Okinawa? Blue seas, white sandy beaches, subtropical greenery—it would be a shame to just watch these from a car window. Traveling through Okinawa’s classic tourist spots by street kart on public roads, feeling the wind in your face, delivers a completely different kind of thrill than ordinary sightseeing.
A New Way to Experience Okinawa Starting from Kokusai Street
When it comes to gateways to Okinawa tourism, Kokusai Street is the place to be. About 15 minutes by monorail from Naha Airport, this 1.6-kilometer stretch is packed with Okinawan souvenir shops and restaurants. And guess what? You can actually join a street kart tour starting near this lively area. Walking around is great and all, but the sensation of racing through Okinawa’s streets in a kart with the wind hitting your face—honestly, once you experience it, you’ll never forget it.
When you cruise around Kokusai Street by kart, not only tourists but locals will often smile and wave at you. These moments where you feel the warmth of Okinawan people firsthand are something you just can’t get from inside a bus or car. Foreign tourist friends are always blown away by the friendliness that you’d never find back home.
The Allure of Touring Scenic Spots in the Churaumi Area by Kart
Speaking of quintessential Okinawa tourism, the Motobu Peninsula area with its famous Churaumi Aquarium takes the crown. The massive tank where whale sharks glide gracefully attracts over 3 million visitors annually, making it one of Okinawa’s signature attractions. Touring this area by street kart gives you spectacular views of the emerald green sea from the coastal roads.
The Kouri Bridge area is particularly Instagram-worthy. When you cross this approximately 2-kilometer bridge, the crystal-clear waters spreading out on both sides are absolutely stunning. Here’s a little secret—if you drive during golden hour in the evening, the gradient of orange-tinted sea and sky becomes the ultimate photo spot for social media. If you bring a GoPro, shooting video while driving the kart is highly recommended. Mount an action camera on your chest for footage that really captures the experience.
Why Street Kart is the Go-To Choice
Among street kart operators in Okinawa, Street Kart receives especially high ratings from foreign tourists. The reason lies in their impressive track record with 8 locations (6 in Tokyo, plus Osaka and Okinawa) and over 150,000 tours completed.
A major feature of Street Kart is that guides trained to assist foreign drivers accompany each tour. Even if you’re worried about the language barrier, you can get support in English, so there’s nothing to stress about. You might feel nervous at first, but the guides really match your pace, so even first-timers can have a blast. With over 1.34 million total customers and an average rating of 4.9, these numbers speak to their quality of service.
What’s more, you can easily book through their website that supports 22 languages. Even if you don’t understand Japanese, you can complete your reservation in your native language. It’s a common struggle for foreign tourists that Japanese services often have complicated booking processes, so this convenience is a real lifesaver. For details about driver’s licenses, check out the official driver’s license information page.
Please note that Mario Kart-related costumes are not provided. Street Kart is an independent service with no affiliation to Nintendo or the Mario Kart series.
The Coastal Route from Manzamo to Cape Zanpa
Classic tourist spots dot the west coast of Okinawa’s main island. Manzamo, famous for its elephant trunk-shaped cliff, has been a beloved scenic spot since the Ryukyu Kingdom era. The cobalt blue sea viewed from the top of the approximately 20-meter cliff is so beautiful it’ll make you gasp out loud.
About 30 minutes north of Manzamo by car, you’ll reach Cape Zanpa. This spot, where 30-meter cliffs stretch for about 2 kilometers, lets you experience Okinawa’s powerful natural beauty. Visit at sunset and you’ll witness the horizon painted in gorgeous orange hues.
Driving this route by street kart lets you enjoy an exhilarating drive while feeling the ocean breeze with your whole body. The sense of freedom you can’t get from a regular rental car will definitely become the highlight of your Okinawa trip. Personally, I think this route is where you can experience the true essence of street karting at its finest.
Efficient Touring Plans and Best Times to Visit
For efficiently covering Okinawa’s classic spots, early morning is best. Especially in summer, around 8 to 10 AM before the sun gets too intense is ideal. During this time, there are fewer tourists and photo opportunities are smooth sailing.
Street kart tours typically run 2-3 hour courses that are popular choices. The scenery you see differs completely between urban courses around the Naha area and courses that take you to scenic spots in the north. If it’s your first time visiting Okinawa, starting with courses around Naha makes sense, then tackling the nature-rich northern routes on your second visit.
Payment by credit card is accepted, which is convenient for foreign tourists. While many places in Japan are cash-only, Street Kart accepts international credit cards. For booking details, check out kart.st.
Experience the Wind of Okinawa
Okinawa has so many attractive spots—beautiful beaches, historic castle ruins, unique food culture, and more. Choosing to tour these classic destinations not by bus tour or rental car, but by street kart might seem like an unusual way to sightsee at first glance, but once you actually try it, you’ll be amazed at how much fun it is.
The refreshing feeling of cutting through the wind, natural interactions with locals, and 360-degree views of Okinawa’s stunning scenery—street kart tourism lets you enjoy all of these at once. Why not see Okinawa from a different perspective on your next trip? Booking is easy at kart.st. An unforgettable Okinawa experience is waiting for you.
Note About Costumes
We do not offer rentals of Nintendo or “Mario Kart” related costumes. We only provide costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
