[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!
By Sadho Ram — 18 Nov 2014, 03:23 PM — Updated about 10 years ago
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 ImagesIt'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 ImagesEach 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.
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Princess Peach poses for photo for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo.
Image via Keith Tsuji/Getty ImagesAnyone 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 ImagesThe 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.
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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 ImagesThe 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 ImagesBystanders and drivers laugh and take photos of participants
