Sumo Tour: Tokyo Tournament

Información

Come watch sumo wrestlers at work and experience the excitement and expertise of Japan’s national sport.

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Experience sumo wrestling first hand
* Learn all the rules and rituals with the help of a guide
* Visit the Sumo Museum and taste chanko stew
* See the matches from the comfort of chair seating

See first-hand as sumo wrestlers battle it out in fierce clashes that have been taking place for 1,500 years. Originally used as entertainment for the Shinto deities, sumo wrestling is now a hugely popular spectator sport in Japan. What’s more, with the help of a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, you can understand the rules and rituals of sumo wrestling competitions.

From Tokyo we make our way by public transport to Ryogoku Kokugikan where the Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place. From Ryogoku Station, the whole area is filled with the electric atmosphere of the Grand Sumo Tournament, where many chanko stew restaurants are run by former sumo wrestlers. Be engrossed in sumo matches from the comfort of chair seating on the 2nd floor after having visited the Sumo Museum, where you can see important sumo items such as woodblock prints, folding screens and ceremonial aprons. Listen to the match commentary in English on an FM radio which can be rented for a fee. A sumo brochure and an English sumo ranking list are also provided. Over the few hours you’ll become not only acquainted with sumo traditions, but also caught up in the thrill and excitement as sumo wrestlers compete to become the best of their rank. For those that have selected the dinner option, the tour will end as you are seated in the restaurant.



Duration: 6 hours.
Start/opening time: At 12:30pm.
End/closing time: At 6:30pm.
Drop-off location: Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Opening days/period: Daily from January 8th until January 22nd, from May 14th until May 28th and from September 10th until September 24th.
Languages:English.
Others: This tour uses public transportation with non-reserved seats. Please note that seating is not guaranteed.
Depending on availability, members of the same group may not be seated together.
Please note that you may have to wait to be taken to your seat if one of the following such events is underway at the time: a sumo match, the ring entering procession of the Makuuchi division wrestlers (dohyoiri), the ring entering procession of the Yokozuna, the sanyakusoroibumi ritual stomping ceremony, or a speech by the Sumo Association (on the first and the last tournament day). In such cases, you will be taken to your seat when the event is over.