Uber Drift Puts You in the Passenger Seat of Japan’s Street Racing Scene

Summary

Uber is introducing a special experience called “Uber Drift” in Tokyo. It’s a unique travel offering, part of Uber’s larger “Go Anywhere” series of experiences around the world.
This unique experience lets international visitors explore Japan’s exciting underground drift scene, with professional, side-by-side drifting lessons at the challenging Mobara Twin Circuit.
As a huge motorsports fan, I was so excited to hear about this! It’s a half-day experience where they take care of everything – private car service picks you up and drops you off. The best part? You get about 90 minutes of seriously thrilling ride time as a passenger with professional Formula Drift drivers in amazing cars like the Nissan Silvia S15 and 180SX. It sounds absolutely incredible!

Uber is bringing the excitement of Japanese street car culture to visitors in Tokyo. Called Uber Drift, this new experience lets tourists enjoy a thrilling ride inspired by Japan’s famous underground racing scene. As part of Uber’s “Go Anywhere” series, it offers a unique and luxurious way for international travelers to participate in this typically exclusive world, without needing to find their way into the local racing community.

Traditionally, witnessing Japan’s real drifting culture was difficult, requiring connections, Japanese language skills, and a willingness to explore areas outside of Tokyo. Uber Drift changes that by offering a simple, all-inclusive service. Guests are picked up from their Tokyo hotels in a luxury car and driven to Mobara Twin Circuit, a local favorite known for its challenging track and technical turns.

At the track, adrenaline junkies get to ride with professional Formula Drift drivers in legendary Japanese cars – the Nissan Silvia S15 and 180SX. These drivers perform tandem drifts, a breathtaking and intense display where cars slide sideways, incredibly close together, through each turn. The 90-minute experience, reaching speeds of 100 kilometers per hour, is guaranteed to be thrilling for passengers.

Even though Uber offers convenient booking and private rides, they’ve worked hard to keep the experience exciting and authentic. While safety is a priority with enforced helmets and precautions, it doesn’t feel like a typical, overly-managed tourist activity – it still captures the energy and thrill of Japanese racing.

Tokyo loves unique and exclusive experiences, and getting a chance to participate in Uber Drift might be the biggest challenge. They only allow a small number of groups—just four—each day. You can book your drifting session through the Uber app starting May 27, 2026, for sessions running from June 3 to July 1. It’s a surprisingly affordable way to add some excitement and a memorable, movie-like feel to your trip to Japan, so it’s highly recommended to book as soon as reservations open.

Read More