Sumo Tournament

【Important Notes】 This tour is very popular. Group size may be 15–30 people, and the stable may be shared with other tour groups. From May 11–25 (Grand Tournament period), the sumo practice finishes earlier than usual, around 9:00 AM. However, the tour still starts at 7:30 AM and includes a special brunch after the training, ending around 10:30 AM. You'll still get to see top-ranked wrestlers—an experience even locals rarely have. ※Please note that the brunch is optional and costs around 1,000 yen per person, paid separately on-site. 【Tour Highlights】 ・Watch Real Sumo Practice Get insider access to a real sumo training session. You’ll be up close and may take photos with the wrestlers. ・Enjoy Japanese Brunch After practice, enjoy a local breakfast (around ¥1,000, not included). Learn dining etiquette and culture as you eat.

If you want to watch the REAL Sumo wrestlers up close, this is one of the closest you can get! Let’s watch the wrestler’s morning practice right next to the ring and feel the intense and serious atmosphere. The sound of wrestlers colliding to each other, their breath and the scent of the fragrance they wear are something that you can never feel by watching any videos. You will meet with your knowledgeable tour guide at the station and walk to the stable(10mins walk). Your guide will explain you about Sumo, its history, rules and regulations before entering the stable and then watch it together. You will see the unique traditional sports which is at the same time religious rituals, originally started to entertain the Shinto deities. If you are lucky, you will get to take photos with the wrestlers after the practice outside of the stable!

The Sumo Tournament Experience with Japan Awaits offers a rare chance to witness Japan’s national sport live at one of six official Grand Sumo Tournaments held yearly in Tokyo (January, May, September), Osaka (March), Nagoya (July), and Fukuoka (November). Each tour option provides a chance to join a group (15–20 guests) with seat types range from S-class, A-class, to B and C-class, depending on the tour option; and enjoy the matches with expert commentary from an English-speaking guide. Learn about sumo traditions, rituals, and the wrestlers’ lives. A minimum of 15 guests is required to run the tour; if not met, a full refund will be provided. Off-Season Experience: Visit a sumo stable to observe morning practice up-close. Use audio headsets to learn about training techniques, then meet the wrestlers, enjoy tea with them, and end the experience with a hearty chanko nabe lunch.

With a long history of over 1,500 years, sumo is one of Japan's most iconic sports, and is an inherent part of Japan's traditional culture. From Nagoya Station, there will be an accompanying English-speaking National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. Even locals have a hard time getting tickets to the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. As this is a popular tour, make sure to book soon! Enjoy a day trip even from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc. whether as solo participants or in groups!

Sumo in Tokyo is a unique and exciting way to experience Japanese culture. Expect a lively and fun time with cheering by fans. It's similar to watching a major league sports game. ●This Sumo tournament is Japan's most popular sport and the fans go wild ! Travelling in Japan is guaranteed to produce more mind-blowing moments per minute than almost anywhere else in the world. Join us for our tours, Japan is worth it for the adventure in all of us. Travel will Change You, it's about Living life and loving every second. *Admission included *Upgraded seats available with additional fee. *Ticket only Event *No tour guide *Does not include Transportation. Tour dates: MAY 11-25, 2025 TOKYO JULY 13 – 27, 2025 NAGOYA SEPT 14 – 28, 2025 TOKYO NOV. 9 – 23, 2025 FUKUOKA JAN. 11-25, 2026 TOKYO MAR. 8-22, 2026 OSAKA MAY 10-24, 2026 TOKYO

Watch Japan’s unique and traditional sport Sumo with a knowledgeable tour guide. If you are in Japan in July, you should not miss it!(the tournaments take place 6 times a year; 3 times in Tokyo, once in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka respectively. Each tournament lasts for 15 days. ) If you'd like to see sumo, it takes about two hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo, and about one hour by Shinkansen from Kyoto. Why not take this opportunity to visit Nagoya to watch sumo? Meet your English speaking guide and walk to the stadium. Your guide will talk you through what is Sumo, its history and rules before entering the stadium and give you additional tips in between the bouts. Feel the intense, serious atmosphere of the tournament while you are free to grab some beer, Yakitori(skewers), etc.. at the vendor inside the stadium and eat/drink at your seat. *Food and drinks are not included in this tour.

2F main section seats!! An English speaking member of a sumo stable Supporting Association will guide you thru Ryogoku and the rudiments of Sumo. You will not be “mass lead” by some senior citizen or uni kid hired as a guide like many of our competitors. Your seats will be on the 2F with chair type seats so you will have appropriate leg room to survive the tournaments. Do understand that Tickets themselves are very hard to obtain. You will not be able to buy on site. So Enjoy the show and may this be good memories of your stay in Japan. OPTIONAL TOUR: Why not spend the day with us? Our Asakusa/Kappabashi Tour coupled with our Sumo Tournament tour. meet up at Asakusa Tourist Information Center & walk the Asakusa area including the temple, shrine & the adjoining area. We will see the kitchen town of Kappabashi & give you a unique experience of MAKING YOUR OWN BUCKWHEAT NOODLE LUNCH or instead sneak you into a tea ceremony session be before whisking you off to Ryogoku Sumo.

・June 11th Grand Opening! Experience SUMOLAND — the ultimate sumo-themed attraction in Ryogoku, the home of sumo. ・Supervised by the 63rd Yokozuna, it features powerful sumo performances by former professional sumo wrestlers. ・Step into the ring, snap photos with sumo wrestlers, enjoy authentic Yokozuna chanko hot pot, and try mochi pounding! ※Please note that the sumo experience is designed as an entertainment experience for both adults and children, and differs from serious morning training or official sumo tournaments. ※If there are many participants for the sumo challenge or mochi-pounding experience, we may limit participation to one representative per group or use a lottery system. ※Souvenirs may vary depending on the season. ※Vegetarian and vegan meals are available upon request. Please inform us at least 2 days before your reservation. ※We are unable to provide gluten-free or halal meals, but guests are welcome to bring their own food if necessary.

In the sumo town of Ryogoku, Tokyo, we offer tours to observe the morning training sessions at famous sumo stables. Additionally, during the Grand Sumo tournaments, we also organize tours to watch the matches at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena. The key feature (advantage) of all our tours is that, in addition to an interpreter guide, a sumo expert journalist accompanies the group to provide detailed explanations about Japan's traditional culture, 「SUMO」. [About the tour] Meet at 7:30 or 8:10 Duration: 2 to 3 hours ・Experience an exclusive opportunity to watch the morning training at a famous sumo stable in Ryogoku, Tokyo, the epicenter of sumo culture. ・You can gain deeper insights into Japanese traditions and sumo history through expert commentary by a professional sumo journalist. ・Ideal for families, friends, and couples, this tour offers a unique and memorable cultural experience that you won’t find elsewhere.

What decisively differentiates this tour is the guide’s attentiveness to each traveler to make the experience memorable. Firstly, each traveler will receive three souvenirs which are hard to come by. 1) A pamphlet showing photos and profiles of wrestlers with English translation. The guide will walk you through it as you watch each fight. 2) A cheer-up towel for a particular wrestler. The guide will show you how to use it when the wrestler is going to fight; cheering up a particular wrestler will significantly increase the joy of watching. 3) A sumo booklet which tells pretty much all about sumo. Secondly, using an earphone guide system, your guide will provide real-time commentaries through your headset throughout the tournament.

– A rare opportunity to watch professional sumo wrestlers train up close before entering the Ryogoku Kokugikan for the tournament. – Accessible location: The Sumo stable we offer are located a couple of minutes walk from JR Ryogoku Station – Comfortable Environment: we provide an original pamphlet with information about the training sessions. Additionally, the venue is fully air-conditioned. – Audio Guide: Enhance your sumo viewing experience with our audio guide, available in 10 languages. – Even those who couldn’t secure tournament tickets can experience sumo up close and personal. – Note: Since Keiko Express take place on the day of tournament, the training focuses primarily on warm-ups and stretching exercises to ensure the wrestlers are in top condition for their matches. While this means you may not see intense practice bouts, it’s a rare opportunity to observe the essential preparations that go into the performance of these incredible athletes.

FOR MAY 2024 TOKYO GRAND TOURNAMENT *Minimum 2 people per booking Join this unique journey with a Sumo expert guide who will accompany you every step of the way, unraveling the secrets and traditions of this ancient sport. Gain exclusive insights into the world of sumo as you explore the remarkable Sumo history and its evolution. This personalized experience guarantees an in-depth understanding of the sport's nuances and techniques, offering an unmatched level of immersion. Don't miss the opportunity to elevate your trip to Tokyo with this unique Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament Watching Experience.

The Sumo Tournament Experience in Nagoya is an experience at the famous Grand Sumo Tournament that occurs only once a year in Nagoya (July). The experience allows guests to learn about sumo traditions and culture with an English-speaking tour guide (expert in sumo wrestling) while watching one of the most exciting sports in Japan. This is a join-in group experience with about 15 – 20 guests (minimum of 15 people is required to operate this tour; if we do not have enough bookings, the tour will be canceled and the guest will receive a full refund).

Enjoy a premium sumo experience from A-Class seats at Ryogoku Kokugikan. In a small group of up to 5 Guests, relax with drinks and snacks as a personalized guide shares exclusive insights into sumo's history and rules ! ○ Session (14:00-18:00) ① We will gather in front of the NewDays convenience store, at the West Exit of JR Ryogoku Station (Sobu Line) at 14:00. ! A friendly guide will be waiting for you! ② We will enter the venue and watch sumo matches from the A seats. ・After arriving at your seat in the venue, you are free to move around. ③Around 15:40, there will be the "nakabi," where a ceremony before the matches of particularly strong sumo wrestlers begins. We will watch this ceremony from our seats. ④From 16:00 to around 18:00 is the highlight. Japanese TV broadcasts will begin as well. It's the time when particularly strong sumo wrestlers start their intense matches! ⑤Around 18:00, after the final match, the tour will be disbanded.

The Sumo Tournament Experience in Fukuoka is an experience at the famous Grand Sumo Tournament that occurs only one times a year in Fukuoka (November). The experience allows guests to learn about sumo traditions and culture with an English-speaking tour guide (expert in sumo wrestling) while watching one of the most exciting sports in Japan. This is a join-in group experience with about 15 – 20 guests (minimum of 15 people is required to operate this tour; if we do not have enough bookings, the tour will be canceled and the guest will receive a full refund).

Enjoy a premium sumo experience from A-Class seats(Front 1~2 row) at Edion Arena Osaka. In a small group of up to 5 Guests, relax with drinks and snacks as a personalized guide shares exclusive insights into sumo's history and rules! ○ Session (14:00-18:00) ① We will gather at the front of the venue at 14:00 A friendly guide will be waiting for you, Details of the meeting point will be provided up to 2-3 days before the day of the event. ② We will enter the venue and watch sumo matches from the A seats. ・After arriving at your seat in the venue, you are free to move around. ③Around 15:40, there will be the "nakabi," where a ceremony before the matches of particularly strong sumo wrestlers begin. We will watch this ceremony from our seats. ④From 16:00 to around 18:00 is the highlight. Japanese TV broadcasts will begin as well. It's the time when particularly strong sumo wrestlers start their intense matches! ⑤Around 18:00, after the final match, the tour will be disbanded.

Sumo in Japan is a unique and exciting way to experience Japanese culture. *Sumo is the respect and passion of Japan. •Grand Sumo wrestling Tournament.

Watching a sumo tournament is a great experience if you are in Tokyo at the right time. However there are aspects of the sport that might be difficult to understand without prior knowledge. This tour provides the opportunity to ask any questions you encounter while watching the rituals or competition. Through my experience attending many sumo tournaments as well as the opportunity of working with retired wrestlers in the past, I can share some interesting episodes about the sport or the athletes. Note that TICKETS ARE NOT INCLUDED in this tour. Please secure them on your own, including one for the guide. I can provide information on when they go on sale and the different channels where they can be purchased. The sumo tournament is held at the Kokugikan Arena for 15 days during January, May and September. The doors open early in the morning but my advice is to enter the arena around 3:30pm just as the wrestlers in the top division are about to appear.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of tradition with our Step into Tradition, Sumo Wrestlers and Geisha. This journey invites you to witness the rich legacies of sumo and geisha in Japan. This tour will lead you to some of the most peculiar and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods of Tokyo. Ryogoku, laying on the banks of Sumida River, is the center of Tokyo’s Sumo culture. This usually quiet area lights up during sumo tournaments, held here in the Kokugikan, the sumo stadium. This small area is filled with sumo culture, from the stadium to the statues of famous sumo wrestlers. Kagurazaka on the other hand, not far from the Imperial Palace, is a former geisha district of the Edo period. Nowadays the main street is an elegant shopping district full of traditional and international shops. The narrow, paved back alleys of the neighborhood though are a real rarity in modern Tokyo and give a glimpse of old Edo.

Please note that this tour does not use a private vehicle and uses public transport. This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors You will have the opportunity to see Sumo Wrestlers train, try the freshest and best Sushi and street food in Tokyo, walk through a traditional Japanese garden and visit a tea house, walk around an historic Buddhist temple complex and park, and finally pay a visit to one of Tokyo’s most famous observation decks – Tokyo Tower. The tour will provide guests with a well balanced itinerary including a Sumo Beya, food and drink, gardens and parks, shrines and temples, and iconic architecture. Note – The Sumo Beya schedule is subject to change, sometimes the Sumo will not be training and you not be able to see Sumo. Training is also closed during certain weeks throughout the year when the Grand Sumo Tournaments are being held during the months of January, May and September.