Sumo Tournament Experience in Tokyo

based on 184 reviews

Duration:4 hours to 5 hours (approx.)
Location: Tokyo, Kanto

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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).

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

• 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.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Kalerski
Would like to thank Japan Awaits and Mr Seizo K.... for Sumo tour we attended in May 2024. The wireless headphones and Seizo's live english commentary during the bouts were a great help in understanding what was happening in the arena without interfering with other patrons sitting near by. The part of the competition we saw on our visit ran from 14:15 to 18:40, bouts are brief and were roughly between 20 to 70 secs in duration, each had a pre and post mini ceremony. Multiple bouts were had. After the final bout, a cup ceremony is performed, followed by a closing ceremony. Ironically the more you pay for better seating, the lower to the ground you sit, so for seating close to the elevated 'ring' you will need to sit on the floor mats, but there you may have the pleasure of being pummeled by a +140 Kg combatant cartwheeling at shinkasen rapidity, as we saw a number of times. Our tour sat in safer chairs further up and away from the ring, but the view was very good. Recommend you go see a Sumo comp at least once as it was thoroughly enjoyable experience. If you get the train from Ryōgoku station after the end of the finishing ceremony, be ready to dash to the station pronto as the whole stadium will be doing what you are doing, you might just get white gloved shoved into the train so the carriage doors can be closed, yet another great experience.

PS. If you don't go on a commentary tour make sure you watch some utube clips to understand what is going on before you attend.

Booked through Viator many months in advance.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-11 01:38:12

Posted By : claytonw250
The tour guide gave good directions and maintained communication before meeting me and the group. He had radios for us to listen to information and commentary on the Sumo. He was a former Sumo journalist, so he had great information about the matches, and knew when we had enough time to tour the building in between good matches.
I also went to dinner afterward. The food and drink were tasty, and there were heaps of them.
It was great fun!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-08 01:11:54

Posted By : Nancy_D
This was an outstanding, well-organized experience for our family and we could not have asked for a better guide. Izumi is a sumo aficionado, very knowledgable about not only the sport, but the individual competitors in the tournament. He had our group cheering for a favorite! With some understanding of the history, rules, roles and rituals, the matches were fascinating. This was a highlight of our trip to Japan, allowing us a glimpse of deep cultural tradition.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-04 22:21:11

Posted By : Nita_K
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our sumo tournament experience! Hirohiko Abe was a very knowledgeable guide and explained in advance what we'd be seeing, as well as keeping up an ongoing commentary in our earpieces while we were watching the bouts. He was able to tell us something about every wrestler, which was amazing, and also about strategies and styles of the top competitors. We learned a lot, got some great photos and stories to tell our friends, as this was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to see a tournament in person. Highly recommended!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 13:13:14

Posted By : Tanner_D
The tour guide was very Knowledgeable showed us around everywhere we had good seats and could see the wrestlers easily
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-27 22:37:03

Posted By : Tim_B
Sumo much more fascinating in person. our guide was excellent and the meal after was tasty. Impressed by the atmosphere of the arena
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-27 21:12:42

Posted By : Michelle_P
We were very lucky to be able to attend the sumo tournament while visiting Tokyo, but having our tour guide Emiko available to share history, explain the tournament, and answer our curious questions made the difference between the experience being "oh that's interesting" to "WOW". Booking through Viator eliminated nearly all the planning required on our part for an excellent experience. Emiko explained the background of the sport of Sumo, toured us around the arena, and my favorite - offered tidbits of information throughout the tournament: translating certain comments from the announcers, introducing facts about some of the well-known competitors, and explaining the meaning behind actions throughout the event. Without Emika we would have missed out on a huge amount of the experience! Would absolutely this tour recommend to anyone considering attending a sumo event.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-27 14:31:24

Posted By : 948Jeffc
We had a chance to attend the Sumo Tournment last week in Tokyo via the tour organized by Japan Awaits. We had a great time, the seats were good and our guide, Hiro Abe, did a great job of flling us in with all the information related to the tournament during the entire time we were there. We did not feel time pass as we were so interntained. I strongly recommend this tour and the guide Hiro Abe.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-27 13:09:46

Posted By : Dailen_G
Our tour guide really took the time to explain all the rituals and intricacies of Sumo so we were able to enjoy the sport so much more. Definitely recommend this tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-26 21:01:51

Posted By : 34Aberdeen
What a great experience and our guide, Isaac, was very knowledgable and engaging. My son sat next to our guide and peppered him with questions. Isaac did a great job answer all of them.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-26 19:02:03