Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament

4.9 (123 reviews) Tokyo, Japan
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Duration6h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesJapanese, English
Group sizeUp to 35 travelers

Overview

What sets this tour apart is its focus on the origins, history, and culture of sumo, combined with real-time commentary during the matches. This small-group tour (maximum 10 participants) is led by a sumo expert guide and has two parts:

1. Ryogoku Walking Tour
Explore Ryogoku, the heart of sumo culture, and visit historical sumo landmarks. You will also see sumo stables from outside, where wrestlers live and train. The guide provides insights into sumo traditions, history, and customs, helping you gain a deeper understanding before entering the arena.

2. Grand Sumo Tournament Viewing
Watch live tournament matches with real-time commentary from your guide, enhancing your appreciation of the action and rituals taking place in the ring.

For those interested only in the tournament experience, a viewing-only option is also available.

You may also choose to add a chanko dinner, a nutritious hot-pot dish traditionally eaten by sumo wrestlers to build strength and maintain their physique.

Options

3PM (Chair B) - Wtih dinner_36

Starting point:
Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, 1-chōme-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan

3PM (Chair B) - No dinner_36

Starting point:
Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, 1-chōme-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan

1PM (Chair B) - With dinner_36

Starting point:
Ryogoku Sta., 1-chōme-4-29 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan

1PM (ChairB) - No dinner_36

Starting point:
Ryogoku Sta., 1-chōme-4-29 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan

What's included

  • Cheer-up goods to root for a particular wrestler
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Information package of tournament information, sumo ranking, and profiles of prominent wrestlers
  • For a group of 3 or more, headsets for each to hear the guide's voice clearly even from distance
  • Guiding in English by a sumo expert guide
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Drinks for the chanko-nabe dinner option; to be ordered separately.

What to expect

  1. Ryogoku
    2h
    13:00 - 15:00
    This part (optional) is to deepen knowledge about sumo history and culture to enhance joy of watching sumo later in the arena. Toward that end, you will visit historical sumo landmarks and sumo stables.
    Major must-see landmarks the guide will take you to are:
    1) Hakkaku-beya Sumo Stable (15min)
    2) Nomi no Sukune Shrine (15min)
    3) Ryogoku Kokugikan (30min)
    4) Ryōgoku Edo NOREN (30min)
    5) Ekō-in (15min)
    6) Kasugano-beya Sumo Stable (15min)
  2. Ryogoku Kokugikan
    3h · Admission ticket included
    15:00 - 18:00
    Viewing bouts at the arena
    1.The guide will walk you through inside the arena to see
    1) Murals (10m)
    2) Championship prizes (10m)
    3) Sumo museum (15min)
    4) Paintings / photos of successive Yokozunas (15min)
    2.You will receive (see the photo section):
    - A special pamphlet showing photos and profiles of wrestlers with English translation. The guide will walk you through it as you watch fights so that you can watch them with background information.
    - A cheer-up towel for a particular wrestler. The guide will teach you how to use it when the wrestler is going to fight. Join the enthusiam of the arena by cheering-up the wrestler.
  3. Ryogoku
    1h
    18:00 -
    Chanko-nabe dinner (Optional)
    The guide will take you to one of the best chanko-nabe restaurants near the arena. Enjoy the nutrient hot-pot dish eaten by sumo wrestlers to build their bodies and muscles. ; drinks are not included.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

All travelers who chose either of the following options will meet at the left side of the Kokugikan arena's front gate at 15:00 o'clock.
1) 3PM - with chanko-nabe dinner option
2) 3PM - without chanko dinner
The guide will be holding a recognizable signboard.

Meeting point

All travelers who chose either of the following options will meet at the Toei Oedo Line Ryogoku Sta. (E12) A3 Exit on the ground at 13:00 o'clock.
1) 1PM - with chanko-nabe dinner option
2) 1PM - without chanko dinner
The guide will be holding a recognizable signboard.

End point

For travelers who will choose a dinner option, the tour will end in the dinner restaurant.

End point

For travelers who will not choose a dinner option, the tour will end in Ryogoku Kokugikan, a venue where the tournament will be held.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour comes in several options depending on the combination of the following: 1) Landmark/history tour 13:00 - 15:00 Sumo-related historical landmark guided tour. This is a walking tour around Ryogoku, a sumo town, to increase the joy of watching the tournament by learning a lot about sumo from your knowledgeable guide as you visit many sumo-related must-see spots before you actually view the bouts in the arena. 2) Viewing bouts in the arena 15:00 - 18:00 Enjoy the bouts as you listen to the real-time commentaries from your expert guide, and get excited as you join the excited spectators! 3) Chanko dinner option This nutrient dish is the centerpiece of sumo wrestlers’ diets to gain weight and muscles to build their bodies. 4) Seating You will be seated either in chair B on the balcony in the arena; the seating map in the photo section shows their detailed locations.
  • While infants (0 - 3 year old) are free of charge, please let us know how many of them will come if you take any to the tour.
  • This tour is available on January 12th and 18th.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

4.9 (123)
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