Visit: Ryogoku Kokugikan, 3-28, 1 Chome, Yokoami, Sumida 130-0015 Tokyo Prefecture
The Sumo Tournament Experience is a 4-hour experience at the official basho (sumo tournament) with a group of up to 20 people (minimum of 15 people is required to operate this tour)
On this tour, not only will you learn about many ancient Japanese traditions that have been preserved in sumo, including ritual elements such as the use of salt purification, you’ll also get to cheer on and greet the most famous sumo wrestlers in Japan as they are entering the stadium for their big match. Once you are inside of the stadium, you’ll be seated at B or C-class reserved seats, which has the best view of the match with chair seatings in the stadium. You’ll learn about the history and culture of sumo wrestling, as well as learn about some of the most famous sumo wrestlers throughout history and today in Japan. Enjoy the intense matches with explanations from your expert guide and cheer on your favorite sumo wrestlers along with dedicated local fans.
See Availability.
02:00 PM
4 to 5 hours(approx.)
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
Chanko nabe, also known as “sumo stew”, is a Japanese stew (hot pot) that contains chicken stock as the soup base with various vegetables. Chanko originated from the Ryokoku area and sumo wrestlers are known to eat a lot of it because a large amount of chanko can be cooked at once and many people can eat at the same time, perfect for sumo wrestlers who are hungry from training.
If dinner option is selected at checkout, the chanko hot pot dinner will be the default meal (please let us know if you would prefer sukiyaki, vegetarian, or if you have any other special dietary requirements on the “Special Requirements” field at checkout. Please understand that once we have accepted your dinner request, changes cannot be made one week before the tour date.
There is no age requirement. Children must be accompanied by adult (18 or older). Adult pricing applies to all guests of any age, except infants and toddlers between age 1 and 3, which are free of charge, as long as they do not occupy a seat (infants must sit on parents’ laps).
Before the tour, please notify us if you or someone in your group will be in a wheelchair. Please note that there is a wheelchair storage area on the first floor of the stadium; however, your seats will be on the second floor. Guests must be able to climb up the stairs on their own (or with the help from a family member) as staff from Ryogoku Kokugikan will not be able to assist guests.
No outside food or drinks are allowed in the arena, but food is available for purchase from vendors within the arena.
The seats will be on the second floor B chair seats (from rows 7 to 11) or C chair seats. The tour will have a maximum of 20 people sitting in the same location with the English-speaking tour guide.
Please note that there may be a wait prior to seating, as we must wait for all sumo matches to end before entering. There may also be congestion at the Sumo Museum, in which the tour guide may ask guests to visit on their own since it would be difficult to walk around with a large group in a congested area.
When do the sumo tournaments take place in Japan?
The official basho (tournaments) take place six times a year at various locations with each tournament lasting 15 days (start date and end date both land on Sundays). The exact dates vary, but takes place on the same months each year:
January Tournament: Tokyo
March Tournament: Osaka
May Tournament: Tokyo
July Tournament: Nagoya
September Tournament: Tokyo
November Tournament: Fukuoka
Sumo originated in Japan and is one of Japan’s most well-known sports. It is considered as a gendai budo (Japanese martial art) with a history spanning many centuries. The sport is known for its highly regimented rules and strict traditions for its wrestlers. Most sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal heya (sumo training stables) with all aspects of their daily lives, including their meals and how they dress, closely monitored.
How far in advance should I book?
Preparing an event requires some time, especially if reservations for restaurants or other venues are required. We recommend making a reservation as early as possible. Ideally, it should be 3 months before your travel date, or 1 month before the travel date at the very least. We may not be able to arrange your event in time so your booking request may be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.
Why am I charged a service fee if I make a cancellation after you started planning the trip?
Organizing and planning a trip or event requires a lot of time and if we have made reservations on your behalf, it may be very challenging to cancel some booking requests. Once we receive your booking and will start arranging your tour guide, buying tickets, making reservations at venues for your tour, etc.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : sianeej2023
We were on the fence about the sumo tour, but after reading reviews and checking details, we took the tour with Japan Awaits at the last minute. Best. Decision. Ever. Our guide was a sumo encyclopedia! He explained the rules and intricacies in a clear and engaging way, even pointing out key moments to watch for during each match. The tour was incredibly insightful and added a whole new level of excitement to the experience. Absolutely worth the price!
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Posted On : 2024-04-03
Posted By : hsia2023
The Sumo Tournament in January was full of excitement, and I got to experience it firsthand with Sumo Experience. Walking into the Kokugikan arena, there was a buzz of excitement, blending tradition and athleticism. Our guide explained Sumo life and matches clearly using transmitters during the tour. Watching the rikishi, or sumo wrestlers, perform the ring-entering ceremony in their elaborate mawashi belts was captivating. Seeing their dedication and discipline up close made me respect their sport even more. We even got to try chanko-nabe stew, which they eat to stay strong.
This tour exceeded my expectations.
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Posted On : 2024-02-27
Posted By : dulanim2020
We are a family of four with 2 kids age 11 and 8. Toshio, our guide, did an excellent job explaining and translating through the entire event so that our (non-japanese speaking) family could learn so much about the history and the sport and have an awesome time watching the matches. We couldn't imagine doing this for the first time without a guide, we would definitely recommend.
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Posted On : 2024-02-24
Posted By : MaryJune_C
This was one of the highlights of our trip! Our guide, Miyako, went out of her way to share her love of sumo with us including providing notes with helpful tips on each of the competitors and then gave us necessary background on the different roles of the judges, yobidashi, and gyoji. She provided commentary on each match to help understand the different moves. So pleased to have enjoyed a wonderful afternoon!
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Posted On : 2024-02-05
Posted By : John_S
It was a great day and our tour guide was very helpful and knowledgeable on Sumo. Would definitely recommend it to anyone that wants a great day out and witness Japans national sport
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Posted On : 2024-02-01
Posted By : Thomas_M
Its a classic Sumo fight. And very well explained to foreign customers.
I will definitvely come back!
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Posted On : 2024-01-31
Posted By : NorthStar13077615369
The Sumo Tournament was a once-in-a-lifetime immersion into the raw spirit of Japan. It's an experience that defies comparison, worth far more than the price of a ticket. So, if you're seeking an authentic, unforgettable taste of the country, look no further than the ringside seats of a Sumo tournament.
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Posted On : 2024-01-30
Posted By : David_G
A great and uniquely Japanese experience. If Sumo wrestling is on while you’re in Tokyo, it should be at the top of the list of activities to do. Well worth it.
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Posted On : 2024-01-30
Posted By : AstridM706
The Sumo experience was amazing. We lucked out and got tickets to the final day of the January tournament. Definitely new fans of the sport. Great energy, learnt a lot and Toshio our guide was just lovely and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!
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Posted On : 2024-01-29
Posted By : Johan_D
Awesome experience. Could easily recommend to anyone curious! Shun was so competent, experienced and kind.
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Posted On : 2024-01-29
