Tokyo Sumo Practice Tour: Immerse in Authentic Sumo Experience in Sumida City

Experience the intense and serious atmosphere of Sumo wrestling in Tokyo. Watch the wrestlers’ morning practice up close and learn about the history and rituals of this traditional sport.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Oshiage - Meet your guide at 7:30am at the nearby train station before making your way to the sumo stable. Get ready to get some amazing insight into this unique Japanese sport that originated from the religion of Shintoism. Learn from your guide about how the origin of sumo dates back at least 1500 years, and about how it preserves rituals and traditional aspects of Shinto while also being a major spectator sport in Japan. Before you take your seat on the ground in the sumo stable, learn about the six annual Grand Tournaments that all go on for 15-days. Three of them are in Tokyo, and one in Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka respectively.
  • Sumida - Watch quietly and respectfully as the sumo wrestlers go through their daily routine. You are sure to be in awe as you see them going through their rigorous training, and you will gain a newfound insight into this ancient art.

At the end of the practice, your guide will walk you back to the train station where you will part ways.

  • Sumida - Take a photo with the sumo wrestlers and finish the tour
    *Please note that the practice may end earlier than usual, meaning the tour will be shorter than mentioned depending on the day
  • Tokyo Skytree - We start from the foot of Tokyo Skytree and back to Skytree after the tour.
What's Included
  • Sumo stable entrance
  • Local Professional and knowledgeable guide
Additional Information

If you want to watch the Sumo wrestlers up close, this is one of the closest you can get! And in this tour, we could talk with stable master. So you could ask some questions directly. Let’s watch the wrestler’s morning practice right next to the ring and feel the intense and serious atmosphere. The sound of wrestlers colliding to each other, their breath and the scent of the fragrance they wear are something that you can never feel by watching any videos.

You will meet with your knowledgeable tour guide at the station and walk to the stable(15 to 20 mins walk).Your guide will explain you about Sumo, its history, rules and regulations before entering the stable and then watch it together. You will see the unique traditional sports which is at the same time religious rituals, originally started to entertain the Shinto deities.

If you are lucky, you will get to take photos with the wrestlers after the practice!

  • NO CHAIRS in the sumo stable. Please note, if sitting cross-legged on the ground for approximately 1.5-hours is not doable for you, we recommend you not booking this tour
  • Please be at the meeting point at 7:10am. We will leave at 7:30 AM sharp, so please make sure to be there on time!
  • In the case that you are late and will not make it to the meeting place on time, please send us a message. Then please go to the sumo stable by yourself. You will not be able to enter the stable without contacting us.
  • No shoes on the raised wooden floor in the stable. Please take your shoes off as soon as you get into the stable.
  • Please sit on the floor (cross-legged) and do not stretch your legs toward the ring. It is considered impolite to show the soles of feet to the wrestlers.
  • No food, No chewing gum and candies, No smoke. You can bring and drink water.
  • Please do not step down on the ring or the sandy ground. The ring is a sacred place for the wrestlers.
  • Sunglasses and hats are not allowed in the stable
  • Cellphones must be on silent. Photos are OK but only without the flash or shutter sounds
  • You may take videos, but you cannot upload photos and videos on any social media platforms
  • The practice/tour may be a bit shorter or longer than expected depending on the content of the practice
  • For tournament season, the tour time would be different. So please check our direct message.
  • Please watch the practice silently and respectfully
  • Modest clothing only
  • Do not stand up or move around during the practice.
  • Minimum age is 6 years old(If your kids are noisy, move around, or cannot watch the practice quietly, you will be asked to leave the sumo stable during the tour.)
  • Please follow the guide’s instructions during the tour.
  • Please try to use the restroom before joining the tour.
  • It is about a 15 minute walk to the stable from the meeting point, so please bring a towel to wipe off your feet if you think your feet will get wet in the rain on the way there.
Location
1-chōme-8-21 Oshiage
[Meet up time]7:15AM Tokyo Metro Oshiage (Skytree Mae) Station, Toei-Asakusa Line Oshiage Station A1 Exit (ground floor). A1 Exit (ground floor, outside) *The tour starts at 7:30am.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(43 Ratings)
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Alex_l
Apr 6, 2024
Great experience to watch sumo up close - Very engaging experience being up close to a morning training session. We had quite a large group so while most people had a front row seat we had one row of people in front. The guide didn't provide too much information but we had a Q&A with the stable manager after the session and a photo with a couple of the sumo wrestlers.
Review provided by Viator
201marcelad
Feb 1, 2024
We loved it! - I went with my husband and we were able to see Sumo training, watching the wrestlers train is very important if you want to know Japanese culture through this sport 100% recommended. They are stars!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
710patriziog
Feb 1, 2024
Something you will remember - I really enjoyed the opportunity to see in person the work out routine of this amazing athletes. Not only sport, but a deep dive into Japanese culture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
236en
Jan 31, 2024
Wonderful experience - Wonderful experience. Guide was knowledgeable and the access was incredible. Great time. I was lucky to attend the Grand Sumo Tournament a few days after which took the experience full circle. Recommended for anyone interested in Japanese culture or Sumo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrizio_g
Jan 14, 2024
Magical - Definitely an experience! And also our guide was very helpful and gave a lot of information . A true Japanese symbol
Review provided by Viator
Chpannell
Jan 10, 2024
Amazing cultural experience! - Watching the Sumo Wrestlers train was fascinating. They were very gracious and friendly at the end, thanking us for visiting and allowing us to take a picture with them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen_w
Dec 16, 2023
Eye opening experience - An eye-opener as the experience showed how much discipline is required to do sumo wrestling well. Despite their size, the wrestlers showed agility.
Review provided by Viator
Luca
Dec 10, 2023
10/10 Tour Highly Recommend - Marveling at the gigantic Sumo Wrestlers was by far one of the best Japanese experience in my Japan trip. Not only underestimated the sports but was amazed by the dedication and strength of the warriors!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rayanen2014
Dec 10, 2023
10/10 tour ! Strongly recommend - It was an amazing experience, it was very easy to find the guide and he spoke English. The sumo practice is in a beautiful gym and watching them practice and wrestle inside the sand ring is truly fascinating. Would strongly recommend !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliettelockstone
Aug 27, 2024
Interesting trip - worth booking - Really interesting trip. It was fascinating watching the sumo train and we got to see a little bit of wrestling as well. It was also really good to speak to the sumo stable owner afterwards and he was able to give us a good insight into the diet of the sumo wrestlers, where they live and how much they trained. My only criticism is that you watch the training on a floor cushion which is absolutely fine if you are young and agile but if you are slightly older and a bit stiff it was actually quite painful. There were stools at the back which I only saw later and if you are a bit older, I suggest you asked to sit in these before sitting on the floor, otherwise well worth booking.
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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