A
New Form of Cultural Exchange: Learning Osaka’s Charm Through
Go-Karts
Go-kart experiences staged in Osaka’s streets have gained attention
as an innovative educational program for deeply understanding Japanese
culture, beyond mere tourist attractions. For international students,
cultural researchers, and people worldwide interested in Japanese
culture, this activity serves as a venue for living cultural
experiences.
By combining cosplay, Japan’s unique subculture, with the streets of
Osaka, a historic merchant city, participants can experience the essence
of Japanese culture where modern and traditional harmoniously blend.
Popular and iconic characters are now recognized worldwide as Japan’s
cultural icons, and by wearing these costumes, participants can
experience being part of Japan’s soft power.
Interest from educational institutions and cultural organizations is
high, with increasing adoption as part of university Japanese cultural
studies courses and international exchange programs. By actually driving
through the streets while learning about Osaka’s history and culture
from guides, participants gain deep understanding and emotions
unattainable in classrooms.
The
Intersection of Osaka’s History and Modern Culture
Osaka’s streets toured by go-kart are truly a living museum where
Japanese history and modern culture intersect. The moment driving with
Osaka Castle as backdrop, participants witness Japan’s unique cultural
landscape where Warring States period history coexists with modern
technology.
Osaka Castle, which Toyotomi Hideyoshi made his base for unifying
Japan, played an extremely important role in Japanese history. The
experience of driving go-karts in cosplay symbolizing modern pop culture
while seeing its majesty up close creates a cultural dialogue
transcending time and space. This contrast becomes the key to
understanding the multi-layered nature and flexibility of Japanese
culture.
In the Dotonbori area, you can feel merchant culture traditions
continuing from the Edo period. Osaka’s commercial spirit, called “the
nation’s kitchen,” remains strong today, with vibrant shopping streets
and restaurant signs telling the story of this historical continuity. By
slowly passing through on go-karts, you can observe details missed while
walking and discover Osaka merchants’ ingenuity and aesthetic sense.
Educational
Value: A New Approach to Experiential Learning
Unlike traditional classroom-centered cultural learning, go-kart
experiences provide opportunities for experiential learning using all
five senses. By feeling the wind, hearing city sounds, and directly
experiencing people’s reactions, participants can personally feel
Japanese society’s tolerance and creativity.
Particularly noteworthy is understanding “Kawaii culture” in Japanese
society. Why is the act of adults driving on public roads in anime
character cosplay accepted and even welcomed in Japan? The answer to
this question can only be understood through actual experience. Warm
gazes from passersby, children waving, elderly people wanting to take
photos with smiles. These reactions embody Japanese society’s
playfulness and consideration for others.
Also, participants can naturally learn about Japanese social norms
such as traffic rule compliance and the importance of group behavior.
Following signals, considering pedestrians, and acting coordinately as a
group become opportunities to practically understand the spirit of “wa”
(harmony) at Japanese culture’s core.
As a
Practice Ground for Multicultural Coexistence
Osaka has historically been a city accepting diverse cultures, and
go-kart experiences inherit this tradition. Natural cultural exchange
occurs as participants of various nationalities join tours together.
Transcending language barriers, participants deepen exchanges as fans
of the same characters or companions sharing the same experience.
Through the universally common activity of street kart experiences, this
becomes a universal experience enjoyable regardless of nationality or
cultural background.
Guides support multiple languages including Japanese, English,
Chinese, and Korean, providing explanations considerate of each
participant’s cultural background. For example, they provide information
according to interests: Japanese anime culture development for Western
participants, historical connections between Osaka and various countries
for Asian participants.
Sustainable
Tourism and Regional Contribution
Go-kart tours as cultural experiences are attracting attention from a
sustainable tourism perspective. While minimizing environmental impact
through electric kart introduction, they also contribute to local
economies.
By cooperating with shopping streets and tourist facilities in each
area visited during tours and introducing participants to regional
attractions, they contribute to overall regional revitalization. For
example, establishments offering special services exclusive to go-kart
participants are increasing, such as long-established takoyaki shops in
Dotonbori and traditional craft stores in Shinsaibashi, further
expanding cultural experience breadth.
Also, part of revenues are returned to regional cultural preservation
activities and cultural education programs for children. Through such
social contribution activities, this is recognized as a cultural project
contributing to regional culture inheritance and development, not merely
a commercial attraction.
Collaboration with
Academic Research
Cultural research through go-kart experiences is advancing in
collaboration with multiple Osaka universities. Various academic
approaches are undertaken, including participant behavior analysis,
research on interactions with local residents, and the impact of pop
culture on local communities.
Particularly interesting is research on the psychological effects of
cosplay. What changes occur in participants’ behavior and emotions by
taking on appearances different from usual? How does this contribute to
cross-cultural understanding? These research results are utilized in
designing future cultural exchange programs.
Surveys targeting international students show that understanding of
Japanese culture improved by an average of 40% after go-kart
experiences, with smoother adaptation to life in Japan. Such empirical
data receives high evaluation from educators as supporting the
effectiveness of experiential cultural learning.
Cross-Generational
Cultural Inheritance
A notable point of go-kart experiences is that all generations can
enjoy them. It’s not uncommon to see grandparents and grandchildren
participating together or three-generation families enjoying tours. This
intergenerational exchange holds very important meaning from a cultural
inheritance perspective.
Elderly participants pass on stories about Osaka’s changes to younger
generations, while young participants explain the latest pop culture to
elders. Such natural knowledge exchange is realized through the common
experience of go-karts.
Particularly impressive are scenes where generations who experienced
post-war Osaka reconstruction proudly introduce current prosperous Osaka
to foreign participants. These moments where individual memories and
collective history intersect hold irreplaceable value as living history
education.
Go-Kart Experience as Art
Recently, movements have emerged viewing go-kart experiences as a
form of performance art. Cosplay performances in public spaces propose
new uses of urban space and are evaluated as artistic practices
questioning boundaries between everyday and extraordinary.
Artists and creators participate in these experiences, adding unique
expressions to create new urban culture. For example, by adding creative
elements like cosplay selection based on specific themes or story
creation using driving routes, this becomes a venue for cultural
expression beyond mere tourism.
Also, for photographers and videographers, go-karts as moving
subjects are attractive material. Scenes created by participants in
colorful costumes against Osaka’s cityscape backdrop become valuable
records symbolizing modern Japan’s cultural dynamism.
Realizing Social
Inclusivity and Diversity
Go-kart experiences are designed as inclusive activities open to all
people. Special specification karts for wheelchair users and support
systems for visually or hearing-impaired participants are established,
creating an environment where everyone can enjoy equally.
This inclusivity embodies the ideal of the inclusive society Japan
aims for. Regardless of disability presence, age, nationality, or
gender, everyone can equally enjoy cosplay and drive through Osaka’s
streets. This equality deeply moves participants and becomes an
opportunity to think about truly barrier-free society.
Particularly, the sight of children with disabilities driving through
streets as their admired characters gives courage and hope to all who
see. Such experiences contribute to consciousness reform throughout
society, contributing to realizing a more tolerant society accepting
diversity.
Future
Prospects: New Horizons for Cultural Experiences
Go-kart cultural experiences hold possibilities for further
development alongside technological evolution. New forms of cultural
experiences incorporating cutting-edge technology are being explored,
such as historical explanations using AR (augmented reality) technology
and immersive experiences combined with VR (virtual reality).
Also, development as international cultural exchange programs is
advancing. Cultural experiences originating from Osaka are spreading
worldwide through sister city exchange programs and adoption as cultural
programs for international conferences.
Go-kart experiences combining educational value, cultural
significance, and pure enjoyment will continue evolving while conveying
Japanese culture’s charm to many people. Through these living cultural
experiences staged in Osaka’s streets, each participant becomes a
cultural bridge, contributing to realizing a richer, more diverse
world.
