Explore Okinawa’s Must-See Spots by Street Kart — A Sightseeing Route Perfect for First-Time Visitors
The moment you step off the plane at Naha Airport, the tropical air wraps around you. “I’m really in Okinawa!” — and there’s a way to amplify that feeling tenfold. Hop into an open-air go-kart, feel the wind rush over you, and race through the streets of Naha on a Street Kart experience. The raw, immersive thrill you get — something no tour bus window could ever deliver — transforms a first trip to Okinawa into an unforgettable adventure.
A Two-Hour Kart Tour Starting from Naha Airport
The Okinawa shop is located in Higashimachi, Naha, just a 15-minute drive from Naha Airport — perfectly positioned for easy access. From here, the O-M Course (approximately 2 hours) takes you along the runway at Naha Airport, through Senaga Island, and all the way to Kokusai Street.
Right after the tour begins, planes roar overhead just dozens of meters above. The sheer power of passenger jets taking off and landing at such close range is something you simply can’t experience on a typical sightseeing trip. As you join the guided convoy and look up at the sky during a red light, you can see the underside of the wings in stunning detail. This sight alone will have you reaching for your phone to snap photo after photo.
Senaga Island — Where Emerald Waters and White Buildings Welcome You
Senaga Island, a small island just south of Naha Airport, serves as the midpoint rest stop on the O-M Course. When you step off the kart, the Mediterranean-inspired white terraced buildings of “Umikaji Terrace” stretch out before you.
The highlight here is savoring the emerald-green ocean views with a Blue Seal ice cream in hand. Born in Okinawa, Blue Seal is famous for flavors featuring local ingredients like purple sweet potato and sugarcane — the perfect way to cool down after a spirited kart ride. On clear days, the silhouettes of the Kerama Islands float along the horizon, and the salty ocean breeze drifts in on the wind. If you choose an evening tour, you can take in a breathtaking sunset as the water turns a brilliant shade of orange right before your eyes.
“The Miracle Mile” — Kokusai Street, the Beating Heart of Okinawa Tourism
Leaving Senaga Island behind, the kart convoy heads back into Naha toward Kokusai Street, the epicenter of Okinawa tourism. Stretching approximately 1.6 km, this road is affectionately known as “The Miracle Mile,” packed wall-to-wall with souvenir shops, restaurants, and boutiques.
Cruising through the Kokusai Street area by kart reveals a side of Naha you’d never notice on foot. Tiny shisa guardian lion statues tucked into alleyways, vibrant Ryukyu glassware glittering in shop windows, the sweet aroma of sata andagi doughnuts wafting from street vendors. From the low-slung kart seat, the streetscape feels closer and more vivid than ever. Since it’s a guided tour following a set route, you get the huge advantage of efficiently hitting all the highlights selected by guides who truly know the local area.
Nearby Spots to Visit Before or After Your Tour
Make the most of your kart tour by exploring nearby attractions before or after the ride. Makishi Public Market, about a 10-minute walk from Kokusai Street, showcases a colorful array of Okinawan ingredients, and you can have your purchases cooked fresh on the second floor. Yachimun Street (Tsuboya area) is around a 15-minute walk away, where traditional Okinawan pottery lines the storefronts along a peaceful lane. About a 20-minute drive will take you to Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells the story of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The main hall site, undergoing restoration since the 2019 fire, and the striking vermilion Shureimon Gate are absolutely worth seeing.
Why Riders Choose Street Kart
When it comes to experiencing street karting in Okinawa, why Street Kart? The numbers and track record speak for themselves.
Street Kart operates a fleet of over 250 road-legal go-karts, making it one of the leading kart tour operators in Japan, and it was the first kart company in the industry to deploy specially trained guides for international drivers. With more than 150,000 tours completed and over 1.34 million guests served, the result is an outstanding average rating of 4.9/5.0★ across 20,000+ reviews. The Okinawa shop has even achieved a perfect 5.0/5.0★ rating.
Every guide is a certified staff member who has undergone specialized training — they’re not just leading the way, but also equipped with local tourism knowledge. Guides take photos for you during red-light stops, so you can stay focused on driving while still capturing memorable shots.
On the safety front, Street Kart strictly complies with Japan’s Road Traffic Act, and all vehicles hold official road-legal certification. Pre-departure vehicle inspections and safety briefings are standard, and full insurance coverage is included. Even if you’ve never driven a kart before, a 15-minute briefing covers all the basics so you can start with total confidence. Costume rentals are also available — dress up with your friends for photos that really pop.
Making Your First Okinawa Trip Truly Unforgettable
If you want to take classic Okinawa sightseeing to the next level, street karting deserves a spot on your itinerary. Feeling jets roar overhead at close range, racing past the emerald waters of Senaga Island with the wind in your hair, soaking in the electric energy of Kokusai Street — these are sensations that photos and videos simply can’t capture.
A valid driver’s license is required to drive. The type of license and required documents vary by nationality, so be sure to check the details in advance on the official license information page. Reservations can be made at kart.st, and popular time slots fill up quickly. Evening sunset tours are especially in demand, so aim to book about two weeks ahead once your travel plans are set. Check out the detailed course information and services as you plan the highlight of your Okinawa stay. The Naha breeze is waiting for you — from the seat of a kart.
