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Move over Mario Kart: Uber Drift takes Japan by storm

A limited-edition travel experience is a must for lovers of Japanese car culture

LiFTED | Marcus Aurelius | 29 May 2026


In 2015, genius entrepreneurs put go-karting on the streets of Tokyo. People could dress up like their favorite Mario Kart characters, and then go drag racing through the streets and alleys of Tokyo. For fans of Nintendo, this was a dream come true because they could be anyone from Mario to Luigi to Yoshi and even Princess Peach. Every fad has its time and now there is a new competitor to the MariCar. Instead of slowly having a good time with friends in costumes, Uber is launching Uber Drift, a limited-edition travel experience that is being rolled out as part of its ‘Go Anywhere’ series.

Drifting is when drivers speed through corners intentionally oversteering causing the vehicles to slide. In Japan, drifting culture is a big part of the neon-lit car culture as a whole. For Uber Drift, up to four riders can book a half-day adventure with 90 minutes of intense track time where Formula Drift licensed professional drivers take passengers on the ride of their lives. Guests are taken from their hotel in an Uber Black to the Mobara Twin Circuit, a track perfectly suited for drifting.

The drivers do tandem drifting, where the cars are only inches apart at speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour. Instead of figuring out the underground world of drifting, thrill seekers can order an Uber Drift from June 3 to July 1 this summer and feel the raw spirit of Japanese car culture.

Check out the video about Uber Drift below.