November in Tokyo: Autumn Leaves and Street Kart Adventures! Racing Through Fall Colors
November in Tokyo is perfect for exploring the city. Trees everywhere turn red and gold, transforming familiar streets into something completely different. And experiencing these autumn colors from ground level? That’s what makes Street Kart so special. All my friends from Brazil say “there’s nothing else like this!” So if you’re planning a trip in November, you’ve gotta check this out.
The Special Scenery of Autumn Tokyo
November is peak foliage season in Tokyo. The tree-lined streets of Ginza glow golden, and the zelkova trees in Shibuya and Omotesando put on their fall outfits. Around Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace, you’ll find nature so rich it’s hard to believe you’re in the middle of the city.
Street Kart tours offer routes from Akihabara through Tokyo Station to Ginza, or racing through Shibuya, Omotesando, and Harajuku. Every route lets you soak in the autumn colors that make November special. Looking up at the foliage from a low-riding kart hits different than walking—way more intense. My American buddy got so hyped, saying “It’s like a scene from a movie!”
The Tokyo Bay location takes you around Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower, enjoying the bay area’s stunning views in crisp fall air. Book an evening slot and you can snap amazing photos with the orange-tinted sky and Tokyo Tower all lit up in the background.
Why People Choose Street Kart
My foreign friends always ask “Why Street Kart?” so let me break it down properly.
First, trained guides lead the way, so you can have a blast even if you don’t speak Japanese. Guides are trained specifically for international drivers and teach you Japanese traffic rules. The website supports 22 languages, and actual service is provided in English, so language barriers aren’t an issue. Sure, smiles and body language go a long way, but having professional support is reassuring.
Second, the track record is impressive. Over 150,000 tours completed and more than 1.34 million customers served (as of November 2023). Average customer rating is 4.9/5.0★ with over 20,000 reviews. Numbers like these show it’s not just fun—safety management is on point.
Third, professional photography is included in every tour. Since Japanese traffic law prohibits taking photos while driving, guides snap shots at red lights. You get the data after the tour, so you’ll have plenty of content for social media.
Costumes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They’ve got original costumes that get everyone hyped up.
Must-See Fall Foliage Spots and the Kart Experience in November
Tour A2S from the Akihabara location takes you around Tokyo Station’s red brick building and Ginza. The ginkgo-lined streets near Tokyo Station peak in November, and it feels like racing through a golden tunnel. The roughly one-hour course shows you Tokyo’s many faces—from otaku paradise to historic architecture to upscale shopping districts.
Tour HS and H2S from the Shibuya location pass through Shibuya Scramble Crossing and along Omotesando’s zelkova tree-lined avenue. November in Omotesando isn’t just about beautiful foliage—Christmas illumination prep starts at month’s end. Daytime tours give you autumn-colored streets; evening tours show you a magical lit-up wonderland.
Tours start at 10 AM and run into the night. For foliage, bright afternoon hours are best, but the combo of sunset orange skies with fall colors is hard to pass up. Some friends debated which was better and ended up doing both!
Combining November Events with Kart Tours
November Tokyo is packed with events. Tori no Ichi festivals, Culture Day, and illumination events starting at month’s end. Street Kart tours follow pre-set routes with guides leading the way, so you can’t freely stop at event venues. But you can totally enjoy events before or after your tour.
For example: morning at Meiji Shrine enjoying autumn leaves, afternoon Street Kart tour, evening checking out Omotesando illuminations. The Shibuya location is a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station or 5 minutes from Shinsen Station, making it easy to combine sightseeing with kart adventures.
Key thing: arrive at the shop 15 minutes before your tour. There’s check-in and safety briefing. No Japanese skills needed—just bring your booking confirmation, driver’s license, and passport. For international driver’s license details, check kart.st/en/drivers-license/.
Fall Weather and Kart Compatibility
November Tokyo usually hovers around 15°C (59°F)—super comfortable. Karts have no roof, so autumn’s not-too-hot, not-too-cold sweet spot makes for ideal conditions. Wear something you can move in easily and closed-toe shoes. Sneakers are your best bet.
Worried about rain? Light rain means they lend you a raincoat and the tour goes on. Heavy rain or typhoons mean cancellation, but you can reschedule or get a full refund. November tends to have lots of sunny days, so odds are good for nice weather.
Helmets and goggles are provided, so just bring your driver’s license, passport, and booking confirmation. You’ll want your camera or phone, but remember—taking photos while driving violates Japanese traffic law, so leave the shooting to the guides.
Create Memories with Fall Foliage and Street Kart
Combining autumn leaves with Street Kart in November Tokyo is an adventure that becomes a special memory. Looking up at foliage from ground level packs a punch you just can’t get walking around. Racing through Tokyo’s iconic spots in crisp fall air—words can’t fully capture that rush.
Booking is easy at kart.st. During busy seasons, reserving 2-4 weeks ahead is recommended, so if you’re hitting Tokyo in November, check it out early. For detailed course info and shop locations, visit hp2.stg.streetkart.org.
This experience works for everyone regardless of nationality. I’ve gone with friends from Brazil, the US, France, Korea—all kinds of countries—and everyone loved it. Make the most of autumn in Tokyo with fall foliage and street kart adventures!
Note About Costumes
Our shop does not rent Nintendo or “Mario Kart” related costumes. We only provide costumes that respect intellectual property rights.
