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Sumo Tournament Experience in Tokyo

icon 4 to 5 hours Mobile ticket
Tickets from € 229.16

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The Sumo Tournament Experience in Tokyo with Japan Awaits is an experience at the famous Grand Sumo Tournament that occurs only three times a year in Tokyo (January, May, and September). 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).
  • Sumo information and pamphlet
  • Standard Tour (Join-in small group): B-class reserved seats or C-class reserved seats
  • If selected, Sukiyaki or vegetarian option is available upon request (at least one week in advance).
  • English-speaking tour guide (local sumo expert)
  • Service Fee for Getting the Ticket
  • Private Tour: A-class reserved seats or sometimes B-class reserved seats
  • If selected, dinner at a local chanko hot pot restaurant to experience what sumo wrestlers eat.
  • Hotel pick-up not included
  • Meals and drinks are not included (unless dinner option is selected at checkout).
Departure Point

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Sumida, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

  • Ryogoku Kokugikan, Sumida, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
    The Sumo Tournament Experience is a 4-hour experience at the official basho (sumo tournament) with a group of up to 24 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.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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 without drinks 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 note that traditional chanko nabe broth is typically made with pork or chicken, but the restaurant may substitute the broth for those who prefer vegetarian option. 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.
  • Please also note that group tickets are released by the Sumo Association about 4 – 7 weeks before the tour date; if we are unable to obtain the tickets, we will notify guests within 4 weeks before the tour and will offer an alternative tour date or full refund.
  • Using audio headsets, you’ll clearly be able to hear the expert guide explain 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.
  • What if I’m late?
  • We ask that all guests arrive at the location at least 10 minutes before the designated meet-up time. Since this is a group tour, we may not be able to wait for you if you are late. The tour will begin without the late guests and you can meet the rest of the group at the next location. Guests are provided with the tour guides’ phone number before the tour and you can call the tour guide if you need to meet the group in the next location.
  • Japan Awaits is a licensed tour operator in Japan, with hundreds of registered and vetted tour guides nationwide. We offer tours in any location in Japan and manage all details, including transportation and tickets. Visit Japan Awaits to learn more about our tours or inquire about a custom experience today.
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • 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.
M5725JMlaural
25 Apr 2023
It was a fun and exciting experience that was well-organized and provided insightful cultural knowledge about Japan. Even though the wrestlers were from different parts of the world, it was impressive to see them follow Japanese traditions with precision.
anacK2220GH
25 Apr 2023
Our guide, Miyako provided us with a comprehensive overview of the tournament, covering everything from wrestler characteristics, the rules and history of the game. Miyako kept it engaging and educational. We got to know a deeper understanding of the sport. This is an excellent opportunity to comprehend about Japanese culture and sumo wrestling.
Diskdr
26 Feb 2023
What can you say. This is a venue steeped in style and history. And big. We sat in the western seating at the front of the 1st terrace. Perfect view but almost no leg room. Went out for lunch after watching the training bouts and then back for the main events. Brilliant. Typical of japan the gentleman sitting next to his wife who was next to mine spoke l English and filled in details of some of the wrestlers and tradition and size of the purses. A life experience which was great
This tour in Japan is organized by Japan Awaits

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We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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