How to Enjoy Christmas Illuminations and Street Kart in Shibuya This December
Shibuya’s Special Winter Glow
Shibuya has always had a unique energy among Tokyo’s neighborhoods, but December transforms it into something truly spectacular. Christmas lights illuminate every corner of the district, blending with the excitement of the year-end season to create an unforgettable atmosphere. If you’re visiting Shibuya during this time, I’d encourage you to experience the city from a perspective that walking simply can’t offer.
Street karting lets you cruise through Tokyo’s streets at ground level, giving you a completely different view of the urban landscape. It’s become incredibly popular with international visitors, and since tours are guide-led, even first-timers can join in without any worries about navigation or safety.
Shibuya’s Christmas Illumination Hotspots
The area around Shibuya Station hosts major illumination events every year, turning the entire neighborhood into a glittering wonderland. The light displays near Shibuya Scramble Square and Hikarie are particularly impressive, drawing crowds of photographers eager to capture the magic. The tree-lined streets of Omotesando, heading toward Yoyogi Park, also get decked out in beautiful lights throughout December, making them perfect for evening strolls.
Even Shibuya’s famous slopes—Miyamasuzaka and Dogenzaka—take on a different character during this season with their festive decorations. The lights are at their most brilliant from late afternoon into the evening, so if you book a street kart tour after 4 PM, you might get to cruise through the illuminated streets.
Why People Choose Street Kart
Street Kart pioneered the industry as the first kart operator with guides specifically trained to work with international drivers. They’ve completed over 150,000 tours and served more than 1.34 million customers to date. Their average customer rating sits at an impressive 4.9 stars across more than 20,000 reviews—numbers that speak for themselves.
With 6 locations in Tokyo, joining a tour near Shibuya is convenient. Their website supports 22 languages, so you won’t face any language barriers when making reservations. Tours themselves are conducted in English, making communication smooth for international travelers.
The company operates a fleet of over 250 street-legal karts, so they can accommodate group bookings. Keep in mind that tours follow predetermined routes with guide leadership—you can’t make spontaneous stops or route changes along the way. For driving license requirements (including international driving permits), check the details at the official website.
Making the Most of Year-End Shibuya
As December progresses, Shibuya’s Christmas vibe gradually shifts toward New Year’s celebrations. The streets buzz with anticipation for the countdown, attracting visitors from Japan and abroad. The Scramble Crossing area gets especially lively, drawing crowds eager to experience the world-famous “Shibuya New Year’s Eve.”
Winter sales at shopping malls and department stores are another highlight of this season. Shibuya 109, Parco, and Tokyu Department Store—fashion-forward shops line every street. After your street kart adventure, why not warm up with some retail therapy?
Shibuya is also home to countless distinctive cafes and restaurants, many offering winter-only menus. There’s something special about warming up with hot food and drinks while soaking in the December atmosphere of Tokyo.
Tips for Winter Street Karting
Tokyo temperatures often drop below 10°C (50°F) even during the day in December, so dressing warmly is essential. Street karts are open vehicles with no roof, meaning you’ll feel the wind directly as you drive. Layer up with warm clothing, and don’t forget gloves and a scarf.
Checking the weather forecast beforehand is a good idea too. Tours run in the rain, but snow means cancellation for safety reasons. The karts can’t be fitted with snow tires, and Japanese traffic regulations prohibit driving in such conditions anyway.
A note on costumes: Mario Kart-related costumes are not provided. Street Kart operates independently and has no affiliation with Nintendo or the Mario Kart franchise.
Create Unforgettable Winter Memories in December Shibuya
December transforms Shibuya into one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and beautiful neighborhoods, with Christmas illuminations adding magic to every street. Walking through the area is wonderful on its own, but adding a street kart experience takes your trip to another level entirely.
Guide-led tours mean you don’t need to know your way around—just follow along and enjoy. The ground-level perspective shows you a side of Shibuya you’d never see otherwise. You can take photos during the tour too, so get ready for some social media-worthy shots.
Booking is easy through kart.st. December is peak tourist season, so reserving early is recommended. This year, why not make some extraordinary winter memories with Shibuya’s illuminations and a street kart adventure?
Costume Information
We do not rent Nintendo or Mario Kart-related costumes. Only costumes that respect intellectual property rights are available.
