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[PHOTOS] Every Month, Mario Fans Get To Race Down The Streets Of Tokyo In Real Life!

Cosplayers dressed up as Mario Kart characters and raced around the streets of Tokyo in in real-life Mario Karts. What fun!

Cover image via Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

On 16 November 2014, a group of fun-loving Japanese and foreigners, dressed in Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach costumes, raced through the streets of one of Tokyo's busiest districts in real-life Mario Karts to the delight of passerby and other drivers

People take photos of participants as they drive around Tokyo in Mario Kart characters for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo on 16 November 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

Image via Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

It's a monthly event organized by Akiba Cart, a go-kart rental company based in Japan. The event allows game enthusiasts to play Nintendo's popular video game series in real life in the nerd paradise and the Electric Town that is Tokyo's Akihabara.

Princess Peach drives around Tokyo for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo

Image via Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

Each kart comes outfitted with things like side view mirrors, a horn, and a little flag—so you don't get smushed by a dump truck. The street legal go-karts can reach speeds of 50 km/h and have special light blue license plates reserved for microcars.

kotaku.com

Princess Peach poses for photo for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo.

Image via Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

Anyone with a valid Japanese or international license can drive the Akiba Cart go-karts. And wearing helmets is not necessary.

Bystanders take photos of participants as they drive around Tokyo in Mario Kart characters for the Real Mario Kart event

Image via Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

The race wasn’t actually a real race. Participants had to frequently stop at traffic lights and deal with actual traffic. They also appeared to look for any excuse to stop stop and get their picture taken as crowds began to gather.

fansided.com

Super Star is seen at the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo

Image via Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

Because you don't necessarily have to stick to Akihabara, it's a rather interesting way to explore Tokyo as a full tank of gas allows the go-kart to run for about 80 kilometers before running out

Luigi drives around Tokyo for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo.

Image via Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

The go-karts are available for rent at USD25 an hour, but if you become an Akiba Cart member, then its slightly less at USD20

Participants drive around Tokyo in Mario Kart characters for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo on 16 November 2014 in Tokyo, Japan

Image via Keith Tsuji / Getty Images

Bystanders and drivers laugh and take photos of participants

For more fun, watch this video from earlier in July this year:

Meanwhile, Japan's art college called Kanazawa College of Art allow its students to wear anything they want on Graduation Day

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