Chair Seat Guaranteed SUMO Practice +Photo +Culture Option
Description
The three most popular Japan culture experiences are sushi making, tea ceremony and sumo watching. Here, you will see REAL SUMO WRESTLERS do their morning practice sessions to go up the hierarchy and achieve their dreams to be up there. Note that this is not a sumo entertainment show but the real thing: authentic. Unlike other practice sessions out there, you will NOT be sitting on the floor on a cushion but GIVEN A SEAT so that it is easier on the knee. You will be given an information session by an experienced local guide so that you are more versed on sumo and its context. Not just a take me to a sumo stable and bye-bye arrangement. Of course, you can bypass the information session should you have time restraints. The tour session would end around 1000-1030. Should you want to participate in the OPTIONAL Ginza/Nohonbashi tour, let us know in advance. This 4 hour tour is 15000JPY per person but can be given for an additional 5000JPY for those who participated in this tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will meet up at Kiyosumi Shirakawa station a crossing station for the Oedo line and the Hanzomon line. The EXIT IS B1 and we will meet you at the ground level. There is a Family Mart convenience store next to the exit should you need emergency supplies. We will give you a briefing on sumo morning practice etiquettes and proceed to go to the allocated sumo stable.
We will be seated instead of be sitting on the floor and you will be watch the morning practice as it unfolds in very near proximity. No talking, no eating or drinking. Taking pictures is perfectly fine.
You will be given an opportunity to talk with active sumo wrestlers and potentially take pictures. Your photo could become valuable as the chosen wrestler moves up the ranks!
The experienced local guide will give you a session on the history and context of sumo. What it is and how it came to be.
You will return to the station and be off on your way.
Time required to transfer to and from the sumo stable.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The hours specified in the tour are the hours taken on the journey and these are approximate.
Reviews(17)
Excellent and riveting experience. Sitting on a chair in front is the only way to go if you have bad joints. The interactions between the wrestlers and their teacher is a joy to watch.
Good intro and information on history and Max was an excellent guide Small intimate experience that we enjoyed
On our 2nd full day in Japan, we joined a morning tour to watch a sumo wrestling practice - and it ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of our trip, all thanks to our amazing guide, Max. Max, who was educated in the U.S., spoke perfect English and immediately understood our needs and expectations. He was already at the meeting point when we arrived, greeted us warmly, and gave us a fascinating overview of sumo wrestling, including its deep ties to Shinto tradition. Thanks to his explanations, we were fascinated by the wrestlers - not just their size and strength, but how incredibly flexible they are, how intensely they train for 2-3 hours every morning, and how they work to balance their bodies, and adapt to their opponents' movements, all under the careful guidance of their master. It was an eye-opening experience that gave us a much deeper appreciation for sumo as both a sport and a tradition. After the tour, we mentioned wanting to explore on our own - grabbling sushi near the Tsukiji Fish Market and visiting Senso-ji Temple. Max went and above. He flagged down a taxi, told the driver exactly where to take us, and gave us clear, helpful directions to Senso-ji. He also told us to look for three dragons at the temple and shared something that really surprised - and moved us: Senso -ji is known as the Golden Dragon Temple. This was incredibly meaningful because our son was born in the year of Dragon, and I often call him my "Golden Dragon." That little detail made the experience feel personal and unforgettable. The sushi restaurant Max recommended was out of this world. Despite a long line when we arrived, we only waited about 20 minutes. As big sushi fans from the U.S., we all agreed it was the best sushi we've ever had - reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. Each piece melted in our mouths. Max also recommended a Michelin-starred Wagyu teppanyaki restaurant near our hotel - and once again, he was spot on. The food was phenomenal and surprisingly affordable for such a refined, high-end experience. On top of all this, we mentioned that we wanted to see Mt. Fuji the next day, since the weather was supposed to be sunny. Max suggested a specific tour, and it turned out to be an excellent recommendation. Max wasn't just a tour guide - he was like a trusted friend, cultural ambassador, and personal travel concierge all in one. He went above and beyond to make our time in Tokyo unforgettable. Max, you were awesome! We truly couldn't have done the sumo tour, Mt. Fuji, Senso-ji Temple, or enjoyed the amazing sushi and teppanyaki meals without your help. Thank you for everything!
The guide Masao san was knowledgeable and the tour was great because we were given the very front seats. Other groups came but they had back seats so the sheer pressure from the sumo wrestlers was incredible. Highly recommended and definitely worth the price and time!
Masao and Max are both entertaining and amazing. I had a blast exploring Tokyo and experiencing the Sumo. I can't recommend this enough.
Awesome!! We were front row to see a legit sumo practice. It was amazing to see these athletes up close and personal, and to have such intimate access to their practice. Our guide, Max was very engaging and taught us the basics of sumo as well as some history. An unforgettable experience, and totally unique. Thank you!
This is tour gives you the chance to sit in a chair and observe an actual training and practice session at an actual Sumo wrestling stable. We really enjoyed seeing first hand how the wrestlers trained and how they were coached. Mostly you learn through watching but we felt it was an authentic experience that gave new insights into the tradition and practices of Sumo Wrestling.
Great execution of the training of sumo wrestlers. It's perfect. The tour guide explained everything to us well. All-round realistic insight into the life and training of the traditional sport SUMO in Japan.
To be able to experience the behind the doors life of the sumo wrestlers world was truly amazing. We didn’t know what to expect and were left in awe of their skill and commitment to their sport. Our guide was a lovely gentlemen who was clearly passionate about the sport and the culture behind it. Thank you!
It was a fantastic experience with our kids, we had to brief them before about the rules (forbidden to talk, move, drink or eat, no videos) and everything was ok even for our 7 years old son. Everybody loved it, we were honored and impressed by the strength, the discipline and the art of the wrestlers. The tour operator is the best one, part of the association managing the stable, so that they manage to be queueing first to get the front seats (we chose cushions at the first row, but there were also chairs from the third row). We met at 8 AM, the location was really easy to find, and then walked to the stable in around 10 or 15 minutes. We queued there as it opens for tourists at 8:30. We saw the sumos practicing exercises and then some fights. At the end, we had the opportunity to take a picture with them and even ask questions translated by our guide. It ended at around 10:30, but it may depend on the day. Many thanks to VAS tours and to the wrestlers ! So great !
