Yes — drive a go kart on an American licence bring a 1949 permit
American licences are accepted in Japan, but not on their own. Bring an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, carried together with your licence.
American licences are accepted in Japan, but not on their own. Bring an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, carried together with your licence.
Apply for the permit in United States before you fly — they are not sold in Japan, and we cannot issue one for you.
Important: Make sure the permit says 1949. A 1968 Vienna Convention permit will not work, whatever else is on it.
Japan accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention permit and nothing else. Permits issued under the 1926, 1943 and 1968 conventions are not valid here, and the convention year is printed on the front cover of the document.
Look at it while you are still at home. We cannot make an invalid permit valid at the counter, and we cannot refund a rider we are not allowed to let drive.
An International Driving Permit is only valid when carried with the licence it was issued against — that condition is printed on the permit itself. Bring both documents to the office, not one.
Not sure your licence works in Japan? That is the one thing worth settling before you book.
Read the permit rulesAlmost certainly, yes. These are road-legal karts on public roads, so Japanese law decides who may drive.
You need one of four things: a Japanese driving licence, an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, a licence from one of six listed countries plus an official JAF translation, or a SOFA licence. Your home licence on its own is never enough.
No. Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention permit, and the year is printed on the front cover. Permits issued under the 1926, 1943 and 1968 conventions are not valid here.
1968 is the one that catches most European riders out. Check the cover before you fly: we cannot make an invalid permit valid at the counter, and we cannot refund a rider we are not allowed to let drive.
In your own country, before you travel. They are not sold in Japan and we cannot issue one for you.
It also has to be carried together with the licence it was issued against — a permit on its own is void, which is printed on the permit itself.
Message us with a photo of your licence before you book and we will tell you straight away.
Japan accepts licences and permits from a fixed list of countries, and guessing in either direction is what gets riders turned away. Ask first — it takes a minute and it is free.
There is no separate age limit. If your licence is valid in Japan, you are old enough to ride.
The rest are on the FAQ, or emailinfo@gorillakartt.com.
¥12,000 per rider. Pick a day and a time — you are booking with us directly, not through a marketplace.
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