Tokyo Go-cart Accident Questioning this Tourist Attraction
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- The Tokyo Go-cart experience is fun for visitors but to be honest, as a driver in Tokyo, I don’t want to drive with them! One reason, they don’t know the laws or the way to drive in Japan, esp Americans who drive on the other side of the road. I say this as someone who is American and took time to get used to it after many lessons. What do you think?
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The height and weight of a go-kart and lack of protection is why it doesn't belong in the same space as a full-size vehicle.
This logic also applies to motorcycles and bicycles yet you wouldn't say that...
@@Calix772 There is a reason why these go-carts are restricted to certain parts of Tokyo. They're unsafe, they're low to the ground and difficult to see in certain conditions. I'm amazed helmets are not enforced! Frankly, motorbikes and push bikes are horrendously dangerous too when the rider has a crash, but there is no chance banning them from the road as they have been around for so long now.
@@MrMorjo Which is understandable, certain roadways are at higher speeds than they can travel and interact with traffic at. That's why there should be no issue with them existing within those confines.
Where I live you can have two types of license for road legal go karts, for ANY roads at 55kmh and under or 80kmh and under.
Its the same as with motorcycles after a certain age and insurance helmets aren't required.
If your core issue with the karts is because of driver unfamiliarity with them and lack of awareness for them thats the issue of other drivers. Not inherently with karts or any other alternative form of transportation that isnt a standard automobile. Driver awareness should be taught.
But, you already think that motorbikes should have been banned. So I guess you just want to deprive people of experiences you yourself aren't comfortable with. Not for any other point.
@@Calix772 I'm all for road safety buddy. I've seen multiple push bike and motorbike fatalities, and one in particular which haunts me constantly.Your support for these go-karts shows your lack of knowledge towards road safety. When you place a person in an unprotected vehicles against cars and trucks it's dangerous, it's that simple. Having tourists frivolously drive go-carts around streets of a busy city, without helmets and letting them take photos is utter stupidity.
among all the tourist-related things that get complained about, i'm surprised karts still haven't been banned from roads.
This! it amazes me this isn't the case.
the go-kart/tour & travel companies have probably got backing from someone high up
Go Go Cart Power Rangers!
@@CollideWithTheSlopepolitical kickback from go kart sales and gas for the go karts
They need to ban go karts on public roads and set up a isolated racetrack for them. I drove a rental car when in Japan and have a bunch of inexperienced tourists in costumes treating the streets of Tokyo like their personal go kart course is just terrifying.
The costumes - makes me feel like it’s a joke. I know it’s a marketing thing. To get people to stop and take photos. Want to try it too. Just looks bad to me but I won’t let my opinion end people’s fun since it’s not against the law. I might even try it to report on the experience first hand because I honestly don’t know how unsafe or safe it is. I just think after this accident, there’s a weakness in the regulations esp with inexperienced drivers possibly jet lagged etc.
Go karts belong on a racingtrack, not the streets. I thought they were banned some years ago, but now they are back in full force in Osaka as well.
yeah, they are not high enough for the least average driver to notice.
"Chris Broad" had one tear right through his favorite British Fish & Chips Shop in a highly dishonorable Banzai Charge ! He's been against such for a long time now !
I did the Tokyo Bay go kart course a couple of months ago. I was in a group of 8 in total with 6 tourists and 2 guides one at the front and ones at the back. Honestly…I found it terrifying even though I’m from the U.K so I’m used to driving on the left and have years of driving experience. You’re driving at speeds of over 60mph over Rainbow Bridge wearing no helmet with huge lorrys going past you. I personally wouldn’t do it again 😅
That sounds like such a risk to me. Def need goggles if there’s no windshield. I’ve had stuff kick up at my car all the time. I’m glad you were fine, maybe had a little fun or relived enough to sleep very well that night 😉
Same thing people say who have never been on a motorcycle. Not surprising. You are used to the security that being in a huge steel cage gives you with 4 doors and a roof. But plenty of people drive daily without any of that on busy streets and highways. Just something you aren't used to doing.
More fuel for Chris Broad's hatred towards the Tokyo Go Karts 😂😅
Never get between an English immigrant and their seldom chance at a chippy.
I don’t think they belong on the streets! Go karts are so low to the ground they are a hazard to be driven on the streets🤷🏽
Yep, it's the key reason they should be banned. They're too low to the ground and in certain conditions and vehicles they can be hard to see. Amazed helmets are not enforced.
Crazy they do it on open roads, it should be on a closed course probably outside of Tokyo. Dress up and have fun without the safety risk and nuisance.
These karts are only popular because you drive them on the main roads through Tokyo and past landmarks. It's almost like that's literally the appeal 🙄 No one is interested in just driving in circles on a plain track.🥴
Everyone saying, "it should be on a closed course" just comes off as sorely out of touch.
The thought of being in one of those go-karts, surrounded by cars and trucks, terrifies me!
The thought of the red shell terrifies me
Yea they need to put flags in the back of the go kart with a long pole. Will look ugly but if it's bolted in, would at least make drivers be more aware.
Though, I wouldn't mind them banning it entirely. Looks very dangerous
These carts should not be allowed to be on the road. Most Cary drivers are young and don’t have any experience of driving in Japan.
This industry will end of one tourist dies
People have died and been seriously injured on roller coasters. Zip lines, banana boats, tubes, gondolas, lifts, etc and it hasn't ended their industries or use. Comments like this are just older generations being scared of something different / new. The requirements for driving an actual rental car in Japan is no different and inherently far more dangerous for unfamiliar drivers to be behind the wheel of a multi thousand pound vehicle vs a go kart.
Very informative! Missed you live but I'll be around! 🌞👍
Imagine all the semi trucks too!! In a go kart next to one of those!! That is so risky!!
Yup, chance of surviving an accident … not likely.
Just my two cents. I've done the carts with two different companies on two different trips and I loved it. But let me start with this. I drive for a living and I'm always aware of my surroundings since I've also always owned motorcycles. For a good driver, it's so cool because you can see Tokyo from a different perspective. Most people won't rent a car so it's pretty fun seeing so much of Tokyo from the streets. That being said, many people shouldn't do it because it's definitely not a game and you're on a real road with real traffic. As fun as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if it's banned.
These karts belong on a proper go-kart track, not on the streets of the busiest and biggest city in the world. You have drivers who are inexperienced with driving on the left side of the road, who are in an open kart with nothing to protect their bodies and especially their heads, and sitting so low to the ground. What could possibly go wrong? When you match a small street kart vs. 1.5 tons of metal, which is your average car, or, worst, a truck or bus, you can guarantee who will be victorious.I find it hard to believe that the government allows this. One hard knock to your noggin and it's game over. I'm a retired Driver Examiner and this street kart stuff makes me cringe! Safety trumps fun.
“Two people… doing… something…?” LOL
The front and rear drivers are guides as far as I'm aware.
I’m driving a sports car. I know that sometimes other drivers don’t see me especially when I’m on their passenger side.
Some SUV driver just glance the side window and their passenger door blocked my hood.
Another glance in side mirror and they just looked pass over my roof.
Assuming there’s no car….and turn right into me.
It happened way too many times when I drive sports car…. But never happened when I’m drive an SUV.
In this case, I think the cab can hardly see the Go Kart from the left because it’s a new Generation cab with high hood…plus most cab drivers in Japan are mostly seniors as well. I know my eyesight wasn’t as sharp as when I’m in my 40s.
You're right, it looks like the Taxi didn't see the go-cart. I'm not saying it was the Taxi drivers fault as they most likely had right of way. The go-cart driver could've been from a right side country and didn't look towards their right when entering the road. We were all once left side driving nations, then someone had to come along and stuff it all up!
Just got back from Japan (and looked for you but alas did not have a sighting; LOL!) and just cannot EVEN imagine driving a freaking go-cart in all that traffic! And dude, I'm from LA--so traffic isn't a novelty for me. The drivers are VERY safe, but still...all the people in intersections, and SO MANY other factors to keep looking for! I practically tripped over my own feet on the sidewalk, trying to keep track of it all. LOL.
I've done this trip last year, but it was the Odaiba route. The pre-trip instructions were very good. Our guide did take pictures, but they always stayed seated in the front kart and we were stopped. We were told to use our signals and we did. The very front and two back kart spots were staff and not tourists on our trip. Not certain if the back spots are always staff, but if someone was trying to keep up that sounds like it should have been a staff member.
I do think the company gets scapegoated though, so when something happens it gets blown up.
TBH I wish they'd figure out their bicycle problem because that impacts more people than this. I witnessed a few bicycle w/ pedestrian accidents this past May/June trip than my previous two. I even had a cyclist brush up against me while they went by this trip.
20:02 It is a shared lane marking, NOT a cycle lane marking. Those are there to remind bicycle users to keep left. You may also see sharrows painted in blue as well. In Tokyo-to, real cycle lanes are painted solid blue, at around 1.0-1.2m wide.
British Cousin, "Chris Broad" has for several years strongly criticized the "Mario Cart WANNABES" for causing bedlam ! One made a dishonorable "Banzai Charge" right through his favorite British Fish & Chips Shop. He was P.O.ed ! Listen to Chris & John Daub they know what they're talking about !
Hey John! Love the videos. I have a question that is very off topic of this video but I am visiting Japan in August next year. With the yen being so low, my family is discussing buying yen now while it is at a good price (probably only about $2,000 US worth). But i heard that the yen is being updated soon and that the new yen may cause problems for the vending/ticket machines of Japan. I know that's a lot of information, but i was curious what you thought about buy yen now while it is low and should I be concerned with the potential new bills? Thank so much for your content!
Wow..I didn't even know they had that.. and that's it was a thing! Thank you for bringing that to light.. Mario Karts.. Tokyo.. makes sense in a weird kind of tourist gamers fun experience.. Im being Nintendo corporation isn't enjoying the shared exposure in this incident.. Thats their game..a popular one.. and these Go Karts are Mario Karts to boot! These Go Kart Co's need to be really strict and out front on the law and operation of the vehicles.. Id this keeps up.. the companies will have to offer a 1 day safety course with a certificate of completion.. that you'll have to carry on your while operating the Go Kart.. to protect themselves.. publics doing the right thing/all they can do.. and hopefully raising safety awareness of the tourists who come to play video games in real life Karts .. while driving on real world streets in Tokyo! Great video John.. this one qualified as a very real public safety awareness episode ❤
In addition to my comment below about the woman diving into Takachiho Gorge, regarding a subject that you've brought up a lot lately and that's "omotenashi". In my opinion omotenashi isn't about the guest is always right or think they can do almost anything they want, which a lot of Western visitors (especially American visitors) experience where they're from and bring that expectation with them to Japan. I'm an American (3rd gen Japanese-American), but when I visit Japan, I'm very respectful of the culture, rules, expectations...maybe partially because of the bit of Japanese culture that was passed down to me. But in "omotenashi", it's not one-sided, the guest must (should) also participate in the hospitality by being respectful, considerate, being aware of what the host/waiter/salesperson is trying to provide. There's no higher example of this than "sado" or the tea ceremony, as you know, where the guest is expected to follow certain rules and be aware of what the host has created for them, like the art selected, the tea cup chosen, and perhaps the selection of food or sweets. When both host and guest are respectful and show appreciation to each other, it elevates omotenashi even more. Without that mutual respect, omotenashi is only one sided, it can only go so far, and it may even disappear.
That's an eye-opener.
Did it a few years back when it was Mari-kart. It was at night and it was raining lightly.. luckily nothing happened 😭. Our group from the US was 5 deep and we were nervous and was a little scary tbh. They Explained how to opperate the karts, various rules, and that we should stick together as close as possible. We were also instructed to take turns at being the front two lead cars which i think also helped in people not being left behind. Guide took multiple pictures at stoplights and we took few ourselves. We were in our mid 20s so i wonder if its possible that younger tourists are also more careless and less careful. But yeah theres danger no matter how safe a driver you may be and anything could happen.
Our karts also had a tall flagpole thing with an LED light for visibility, but who know how much that actually helps. Absolutely a risk so use your best discretion if you decide to do it.
18:48 The new "tokutei gentsuki" category is electric vehicles up to 20km/h and 500w power. No licence needed but they do have plates. It's been made to cater to electric scooters. They have a 6km/h mode to be on the sidewalk and the 20km/h is for the road.
I'm so glad we didn't choose that activity when we were there last month! Initially it looked like fun, but then I thought it looked a bit dangerous being on the road with cars, trucks and buses. Thank goodness the person didn't collide with a large vehicle!
Hawaii law prohibits drivers from using handheld mobile electronic devices while driving, including cell phones, mp3 players, and navigation devices. This includes using a phone while stopped at a red light or stop sign. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a mobile device while driving at all, even if it's hands-free. However, drivers of all ages can pick up their phone to call 911 for emergency services.
John, what does the driver’s manual indicate when you have to take a driver’s test ?
That may have been the company sued by Nintendo.
You think the safety course which is required to comply with the intercom sent by the staff driver.
It might be the other company Monkey Kart who operate in Sumida has a better safety track record. I believe they have a rear driver staff member and you can ride on a Camam with a staff.
I dont care what people say...they will allow ANYONE to drive those things as long as you have an international drivers license regardless of whether youre a good driver or not....theres always a chance youll get grouped up with someone who shouldnt be 10 feet from anything on 4 wheels and theyll do it just because they see japan as a fantasy land. Hope they find a way to get rid of them and restrict them to private go kart tracks at amusement parks
i did the street kart tour in akiba area as a first time experiance driving on japan streets. i ride motorcycle so it felt second nature for me and it was fun. i now feel more comfortable renting a car to travel farther distances now. But i can see how it can be dangerous for people
Driving a car or a motorcycle is not a game, that's the first thing that I put in my head when I got my driver's license, I am very strict to myself when driving, and after 19 years of driving license, I only have one infraction on my record because I got late for the technical inspection of the car ( this technical inspection is obligatory here in Europe to see if the car is still good to drive or needs some deeper repairs...)
It’s marketed like a game - I dunno. Getting a license here was an ordeal and being so hard, I respect it a lot. Coming here and thinking it’s a game, someone is going to get in trouble soon. Too many in the roads now.
@@onlyinjapanGO I agree with you, when someone will do a big mistake using the kart or like you said in the live stream gets seriously injured or much worse that industry of the kart guided tours will be done for...
In Japan (and most places I am licensed in), if a traffic light has a red light with green lights, it means you can travel only in the direction the green light is pointing. If there is no red light and it is just green lights pointing towards various directions (or a green circular light with either a left or right turn light) it means you can do a safe turn/move towards the direction you want to go.
Also, in Japan, if you hit a pedestrian, irrespective of whose fault it is, it is a HUGE problem for the driver of the car. As the driver of the car you are automatically assumed to be guilty of hitting the person, and subsequent investigations will only determine how much of the blame should remain on the driver (and even if it is entirely the pedestrian's fault the driver is still penalized at least a bit...not to mention the societal issues).
Also, go karting....take Leo to a go-karting course. There are quite a few around..well all over Japan. They have training programs for kids. Kids' cars are restricted...they trained to drive properly...
Hi John, may I ask what apps did you use to show the 3D or close up map of Japan? Appreciate your response cos I was thinking of going to Japan.
Google earth app on my iPhone 📱 ^_^ thanks for the kind Super Thanks! 🌏
Thank you so much John for your valuable info. I love your Live on Japan. Keep it up, ❤❤❤❤❤
Hi John
would you consider doing a video on road safety and or how to obtain a japanese drivers license
I’ve done that on this channel, a lot - when I got my license in 2018 😉 including driving school and the driving test, course. But I’m working on a main channel episode for late summer in driving: @onlyinjapan ^_^
@@onlyinjapanGO will have to watch the videos
Thanks
When we were there, we saw the GoKarts, which sit so low on the streets, it's surprising that drivers can even see them!
Do they give you a route map beforehand? Or a real-time map like Google or Waze? I live in the Philippines so it can't be that different. LOL!
I didn't get one in 2019.
Its confusing but so is Boston, Ma, their always doing construction and roads end up changing over the years.❤
So odd. in australia you get green, yellow and red arrows. Plain red applies to straight if there is a green arrow. Straight Green arrows is interesting.
Right?! The point is that it is not the same driving here as abroad 😂 it is like a video game but instead of restarting, you’re in the hospital 🏥 I just hope people take great caution ⚠️ and are nervous because then they’re taking it seriously.
I'm from NZ and we did the go karts in both Tokyo and Osaka...... I think part of the thrill is the potential chance of dying. I personally got up to 90km/hr going down Rainbow Bridge and was an awesome way of visiting attraction around both cities.. Whilst it was awesome i also don't think it is a necessity for Japan to have.
What's best company to rent the car there? I used Nippon rental car last March :)
I use Toyota almost exclusively but I found TIMES to be very good, new cars.
Even in the USA drivers don't signal when turning left or right.
I always signal before I turn. Your right newer drivers don't.
I've mentioned the lights being confusing in PVGs rides before and I'm a Brit driving on the left. I've always been amazed these karts are allowed in the middle of a city! Not because I'm a kill joy but because the risk is so high and I'd not enjoy being at wheel level with trucks etc on multi lane roads. No thanks. And I've riden motorcycles on and off the road for 40yrs.
each to their own but i think that driving around in a tiny gocart in a huge city is not the best idea. personally i am not a fan of these gokarts myself
why are these go-karts businesses still on-going thing in japan? honestly as a tourist myself, i find it kinda cringe and nuisance for the traffic
The wing and rear light are probably as high or higher than a lambo. They are purposely modifed to be safer, far from a regular gokart.
when the kart hit the taxi it made noise like in the game Mario kart ?
does tokyo already have those automated delivery vehicles?
The main reason for those accidents could be that those Kart Cars are so low so the visiblity is limited🤔Of course i’m not a expert and esopecially driving on the left side but everyone should take consideration that there’s a heavy traffic in Tokyo so🤔Thank you for sharing this John🙂👍!!!
It certainly plays a part in how dangerous it is, but also why it’s fun. When you turn the city streets into tourism and not driving … I mean, do the tour but have a guide drive and the passenger ride, a two seater? I dunno, they can take all the photos they like!
The key thing while driving anything is don't panic. As the taxi driver said, the cart just darted out from the side. The cart was likely scared of falling behind.
I drove on ishigaki island and I was on my toes at all times. Was difficult to get used to driving the other side
I'm here for a half hour stream about traffic lights in Tokyo 😅.
International drivers license is $20 only available through AAA in the US. It’s only a translation that validates your states drivers license.
Height of stupidity allowing go carts in city traffic, imho.
Oh, it was $10 when I got it in 1998 😂
personally i would never ride gocarts on a public road anywhere. What if you crash and get stuck under a car?
The problem is also there is only a guide leading the group. There should be a guide at the end of the group as people often get left behind.
It may be better to have a leader and a tail guy for each trip. It is not very safe because you have no protection, but it helps that there are not as many drunk drivers in Japan like there are in the US.
Not allowed to wear Nintendo costumes, but you can drive a go kart in the middle of a city
The law is the law. Don’t mess with Nintendo, respect the copyright and creative prowess.
@@onlyinjapanGO yeah, but with all due respect, sometimes they might go a bit too far on that, if you follow some gaming news websites for the last few months or so, heck, even sites like Reddit, Twitter (I refuse to call it X), etc. they express some mixed reactions (but overall there are some negative stuff in relation to the situation, however most of that are outside of Japan I believe)... Some people call it the Ferrari of the Gaming world or so...
I understand the excitement of driving where they do but I think it shouldn't be allowed.
You make good points about using Smartphones. They should be locked in special Ziploc type bags at the very least so that they can't be used. GoPro are a great idea.
It probably won't happen but the police could decide to blitz and ticket every rider who doesn't signal or uses their Smartphone while riding. Even if they stop one person then the entire group probably has to stop because they are led by someone from the company. That would throw a wrench in the company's works that may lead to changes rather than the business going away.
There should be a limited route where go-carts are guided to and should have a car as a barrier at the backend. I've seen they are on the highway which should be illegal.
Whenever I saw videos of go-karts driving around in Toyko, I always thought if they were driving on a special line part like bicycle line or so. But obviously that is not the case.
Personally from all the tourist stuff you can do in Toyko, this would be probably the least thing I would have done. The change of getting into an accident is so high and you only can lose when you sit in such a go-kart and get hit by a car.
In Kagoshima City we also have to deal with the trams that run on the street too 😅 took a while to learn which traffic lights were for us car drivers and the ones for the tram drivers😅. So many lights on one traffic light 😂
Imagine if these go carts were in the street with trams! 😳 I’ve driven with them in Kagoshima and Kochi - it’s sometimes challenging - for sure 🚥
I’m surprised they’re still allowed back on the streets after the whole Nintendo fiasco.
One thing that I notice right away is the railing on the side of the road that seems to be everywhere in Japan.
You called it, John. I think we all knew it was only a matter of time. There's a reason why you can't drive these on the streets here in the US. PS: Happy Father's Day!
God, it actually embarrasses how some tourists are oblivious to how much of a nuisance this can be. If I ever go, I am steering FAR clear from ever doing that. Any other tips on how to be polite and respectful for when you travel to Japan?
I didn't know the red lights were that wierd?
Atleast in Sweden we have a ton of Lights beeing Red & Green at the same time, with green lights often indicating only Left or right turn allowed but not straight, OR only straight and no turns.
I thought that was common all over the place.
I'll be honest, but I'd say it's partially blame to the tour guide.
If someone lags behind, You'd slow down, and keep the group together.
That traffic light is so poorly designed. They should have red, yellow, and green arrows to indicate which direction of travel is explicitly allowed at a given time. With LEDs, you could do that pretty easily in one fixture vs the two stacked units there.
After driving 5 years in Japan I still get confused with the lights. Why let this people drive a motor powered vehicle without a valid Japanese license or international?? Looking the video clips neither the staff nor the drivers know the basic transit rules of Japan like ながらスマホ or getting out of your vehicle while driving.
PS huge fan of your channel.
A low height black go-cart is destine to crash in an ordinary street.
I've always known about the gocart thing and I've had the same thought that something like that has to have happened. I will say I've never seen a stop light like that since I've never traveled, and understand how that could be confusing for anyone not from there to be able to understand.
Honestly if it's just a tourist thing and no locals do it. Then they should stop. Yes it's gonna be sad but safety is number 1 and Japan is always been on their game.
Japanese drivers are quite safe and thus the risk to cart drivers is minimized. I don’t find the street signals confusing, it’s just a matter of getting used to them and situational awareness at the intersections. I’ve been watching Peter Von Gom motorcycle rides and think I am finally ready for the streets of Japan.
Do you mean the drivers over age 80? It just takes one mistake, the gas pedal instead of the brake at a traffic light. I was hit by a car 10 years ago, the car made a left turn but had to wait for pedestrians. The driver accelerated! Braked after knocking me down. I wasn’t hurt, it did ruin my bicycle. Driver didn’t get out, old guy - kept driving. A guy passing by helped me, I said I was okay and that’s life. Lucky to be alive. Didn’t pursue it. Karma is strong. And I’d have to sit in a police station for the rest of the day, go to the hospital and stuff. Now I purposely look at the drivers eyes when I cross the street if I can and think about an escape route, be ready to break, go, or turn. I definitely think you cannot be lax in driving just because it’s Japan and you think it’s safe. The world’s oldest country has the world’s oldest drivers.
@@onlyinjapanGO OK you got me on the 80 year olds. And sorry you were the victim of throttle, not brake, ouch! I was basing my statement on Peter’s comments (in his vids) as he is on a motorcycle which is theoretically a bit safer on Japanese streets; I tend to agree but perhaps the jury is still out on that. For the record I got taken out on my motorcycle by a deer of all things. No fun going down, I hear ya.
In Tokyo, if you feel unsafe in the bike lane on the road, you may ride on the sidewalk. You need to keep your speed down if there are pedestrians.
I just assume the red light means no turning right when the red light is on. only go by what the arrow shows.
You cannot turn left either.
It looks fun but safety first Go Kart tourist drivers should be guided accordingly in Tokyo's main road. They shouldnt take pictures using theyre cellpon. They should have a body strap for GO pro or similar if they want to film them or take pictures.
This is one tourist attraction I will never understand… it’s just not safe. It should be on a designated track, much safer for everyone
Bad drivers will complain its too scary
Electric Scooters or electric scooters-bikes are becoming a fad in Hong Kong 🇭🇰 SAR. They go pretty fast, about 35 MPH. Some food-delivery companies, like “FOOD-PANDA” use them, while others use them as a ‘fun mode’ of transportation . I think they are pretty dangerous !
I’ve seen so many near accidents here. Scary. Fun - outside the major cities like Tokyo and Osaka maybe.
I don't care how experienced you are in driving. There will be an accident. These need to stay at a racetrack or amusement park. How annoying this must be too for locals 🙄 Imagine if you're driving and then have to deal with this! I really hope that they stop this... would hate to see you do a video John cuz guess what... like you said...something happened 😢 something tragic not only to the tourists but to a local as well.
I think it was about 25% the volume in 2018 and since Japan reopened and the lawsuits with Nintendo were settled, it’s increased on the roads due to lack of oversight like a wildfire. 82 though Hackiko at twilight is too many.
Again... I'm not saying to not have this. Just move it to an amusement park and not in a city!!! I seriously can't believe the Japanese government is allowing this. International drivers license or not... no one is that skilled... unless maybe you're a professional race car driver or something! 😢😲😔
The Go Karts in the streets of Japan baffle me... it´s such an obvious safety hazard. It`s weird they are legal to drive on public roads. About good japanese drivers... never used a taxi in japan because of the high fares, but the one time I had to use one in Naha, we had to touchy wake the taxi driver because he fell asleep on the wheel.
10:33 what does that mean? green arrow straight means go... but the Red means stop?
Yup 😂 welcome to Tokyo!
All movements are stopped except for straight ahead.
@@Bakapooru Ok thanks... I get it now.
Really? Soooo easy for me to understand that traffic light. 😅😅😅
It's insane how some people in the live chat think the go-karts isn't a traffic hazard. What even is safety regulation nowadays, amirite ?
When I was young I liked to drive a gokart in a small indoor race track. On normal streets I don't want to drive a gokart.
thats the reason why im not doing it....specially since they drive on the other side of the road for me
I saw the mini karts on the road in Tokyo last year and wondered if it was legal - definitely wouldn't be in Australia and I can't see how it's safe at all, and it's probably an activity your travel insurance wouldn't cover!
I wonder … how they insure this, and if they’ll cover it after a major accident. They’ve been around for a while but more carts mean more chances for 💥
Driving in Japan is so confusing to many people (even foreign) Because this needs a lot of studies before driving in Japan If I first time learning.
One of these go carts drove into the back of my wife's car whilst she was stationary at a red light a number of years ago 🤦♂The damage caused was repairable, but very costly (Nissan S15, with customised body work and body paint)..... These go carts honestly have no place on the public roads and I do believe that they should be outright banned.
An accident waiting to happen...I saw those go carts for the first time in Tokyo traffic back in 2018, could not believe it as there they were mixing in traffic with cement mixers and other large trucks (and many cars) all around.
I really feared for those go-carters as they are so low to the ground and even with the flags sticking up I just didn't think it safe.
Frankly, at the time I was sitting in the front seat of our taxi as my wife and our two friends were in the rear seat, and when I saw a train of go-carts going around us I heard our friends gasp and I said "baka mono!" and our taxi driver sucked air. I was startled and just worried how unsafe that appeared to be, could not believe it. I did have my camera on my lap and started videoing. I'm sorry, I just don't understand. A safe business model would be a small track somewhere rural.
Youre missing that the whole appeal of the karts is riding them throughout the streets of Tokyo. There is no big business opportunity for it on a track. The whole reason it's popular is because it's not on a track.... Plenty of small vehicles have the right to share the road. Drivers just need to be aware. No different than pedestrians, mopeds, bicycles, motorcycles, side by sides, lowered sports cars, the list goes on. Overall drivers need to be more aware of vehicles other than their own.
@@Calix772 I'm not missing that point, and I did not state that there was a business opportunity for it on a track, I was simply stating that IMO the SAFE business model would be on a rural track. Have you been in Tokyo traffic when a string of these are weaving in and out of traffic lanes? I've lived in Tokyo and driven every day on the city streets and freeways, and several years later sitting in a taxi front seat with these go-carts changing lanes between heavy trucks, lorries, larger cars was easy to see how vulnerable (and in other drivers' blind spots) these things can be.
@@3dwag Yes I have, worked in Japan based out of Tokyo from 2018-2021(not year round granted). But I've also been a motorcyclist since before I started driving cars. So Im a lot more aware and conscious of other types of vehicles and my driving surroundings overall.
There's was no point in stating that a "safe business model" is a rural track somewhere if you aren't mentioning it as the replacement/substitute. Everyone knows that's their default environment. Which is why I said you were missing the entire point of the karts appeal to foreign tourists.
Again plenty of road legal vehicles are just about as low and small as the go karts. Kawasaki Z125, Honda Grom, Benneli TNT135, etc all bikes that have their riders head only about 3.5ft off the ground. Plenty of pedal buggies here stateside too that share roads with cars and are just as low as go karts because you are laying down and pedaling.
Just because it requires more awareness from the driver and other drivers doesn't mean it's any less road worthy.
You can replace the word "go kart" with "motorcycle" in your statements (basically everyone else's too) and understand what I'm getting at.
I can’t say I’m surprised. I don’t feel like this is a needed thing if it’s not on a track, like the Nintendo Mario Kart one they had for several years looked great but terrible for the people there. I’ve also seen on two separate occasions they stated these were closed and no more but they keep popping up and I never hear anything good just that they are an inconvenience to the Japanese people trying to go about their day.
How in the world does the Japanese Department of Transport think that a vehicle designed exclusively for track use is safe to drive on public roads. Just by slapping makeshift turn signals and brake lights possibly with no horn or proper headlights or regulated bumpers together with exposed wheels like a formula race car?
With how health and safety conscious and risk adverse japanese society is, I've always found it to be a weird anomaly that this is even allowed.
I find Japan to be a land of contradictions 😆
E-Scooters:
* You do not need a license
* You do need to be over 16
* You cannot go over 20kph
* The scooter cannot exceed: 190x60 cm
Cell Phone while driving: the lawyer is wrong, you cannot use a cell phone while driving. This includes bicycles and scooters, so those karts would be included as well.
The lawyer said you cannot use a cell phone when moving but it’s legal when stopped in the car. Think that should be stricter - it’ll probably get that way.
if you use a mobile device while driving a motor vehicle in uk and police see you thats it game over
This has me laughing at those tourists and their ignorance for thinking they in a mario kart 64 game bunch of clowns go karts don't belong on streets with cars.😂and bro you right all they need is some hitpoints and some lives hahaha🤣🤣😭😭
There is nothing confusing at all the lights are pretty simple to understand.
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Tourists and traffic is always a thing. If it were groups on regular bicycles it would also cause problems. And using a phone in traffic is a problem caused by all drivers both locals and tourists. Still, why would you want to drive in a very busy city? I would rather cycle or drive in an electric go-kart in the country side instead of going from one traffic light to the next...
This has been a long running issue already... A Go Kart also previously crashed on a restaurant before. This is a big safety risk as these are live roads not a controlled environment like an amusement park...especially many tourists drivers are used to driving in the opposite site of the road. I am surprised that they still haven't banned this.. Is this because the Go Kart business owners have strong political influence to the local gov't that mayors can't simply ban them? Do they have to wait until a tourist encountered a serious accident that will embarrass the country before they take action? These karts are so low so compared to other vehicles that sometimes drivers of big trucks or buses can't easily see them so there is a risk being ran over. Add to that so many safety violations are being caught on camera... It is better to build a big Go Kart track in an amusement park in the mountains or in the countryside to make it safer for everyone...that is what other countries do.