Booking something you've never done before is easier when you can picture the evening. So here it is, start to finish — what an ARTCARS night drive actually looks like.
About five hours. A 30–40 minute English briefing, roughly three hours of driving with your host beside you (Wangan, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Bay), and up to an hour walking the car meet at Daikoku PA. If Daikoku is closed, we go to another bay-side spot. Tolls, fuel and zero-deductible insurance are included.
Before the day
- Book online at least three days ahead. Pick the 350Z or the GT-R R35 and pay by card.
- You'll get a confirmation email with the meeting point and start time.
- Check your documents: home licence, 1949 Geneva Convention IDP, passport — originals only. Photocopies and phone photos aren't accepted. Use the documents checklist.
- Eat beforehand. Daikoku has a 24-hour convenience store, but you'll be driving for most of the evening.
- Dress for the bay. It's breezier by the water than in the city, especially in winter.
Step 1: Arrival and briefing (30–40 minutes)
You meet us at our Tokyo Bay base. We check your documents and then go through:
- A walk-around of the car, noting any existing marks together.
- The controls: lights, wipers (usually on the opposite stalk to what you're used to), hazards, and how tolls are handled — they're included in your price.
- The Japanese road rules that catch visitors out: keeping left, the triangular stop sign, pedestrian priority.
- How your host guides you. Your host calls out lanes, exits and junctions early, so you never have to read a sign and steer at the same time.
Spend two minutes in the car park before we leave: flick the indicator, find the wipers, set your mirrors. Everyone turns the wipers on at their first junction — better to get it out of the way where nobody's watching.
Step 2: The drive (about 3 hours)
Your host navigates from the passenger seat. A typical route:
- Onto the Wangan, the Bayshore Route that wraps around Tokyo Bay. Long, sweeping, lit by port cranes and city lights. More on the Wangan.
- Over Rainbow Bridge, with the skyline on both sides. See driving Rainbow Bridge.
- Along the bay towards Yokohama, past container terminals and over the Tsurumi Tsubasa Bridge.
- Down the spiral ramps into Daikoku PA. You'll remember the loops.
We hold a steady pace at or below the posted limit. The aim is a smooth, enjoyable drive — not a race.
Step 3: Daikoku PA (45–60 minutes)
Park up, get out and walk. Every night is different: tuned Skylines and Silvias, VIP sedans, supercars, kei cars with outrageous wheels, vans with sound systems, perfectly restored classics. Most owners are happy for you to look and photograph their cars — just don't touch.
We'll help you get a clean photo of your own car with the meet behind it. Before you go, read our Daikoku PA guide and the short etiquette guide.
If Daikoku is closed
Police close Daikoku without notice, especially on busy weekend nights. When that happens, we change the plan on the spot and guide you to Tatsumi PA, Umihotaru or another bay-side spot. The night still runs — the drive is the heart of it anyway.
Step 4: Back to base
We head back the way we came, or by a different scenic route if there's time. Hand back the key, and you're done. Expect to leave buzzing.
What to bring
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Licence, IDP, passport | Required — originals only |
| Phone mount | For filming from a fixed position |
| A light jacket | It's windy at Daikoku |
| Comfortable shoes | You'll be walking the car park |
| Card or cash | For snacks and drinks at the convenience store |
Frequently asked questions
What time does the night drive start?
Your start time is in the confirmation email. From Friday to Sunday we often start earlier, because Daikoku is more likely to close later in the evening.
Is there a toilet stop?
Yes. Daikoku has toilets and a 24-hour convenience store, and we can stop elsewhere if needed.
Can I film the drive?
Yes, with a mounted camera that doesn't block your view. Holding a phone while driving is illegal in Japan.
What if it rains?
We still drive; Tokyo looks great in the wet. Daikoku is usually quieter in the rain, as many owners of modified cars stay home.