Experience the Power of Sumo: Private Guided Morning Practice Tour and Learn About Japan's National Sport

Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of Tokyo’s downtown area and pay a visit to a Sumo stable

The Sumo stables are concentrated in the surrounding area of Sumida Ward, Tokyo, as the Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan’s national Sumo stadium, is located there. The specific stable you will be visiting will be determined by the date of your tour, and you will receive confirmation of which stable you will visit about a week before the tour.

Many Sumo stables are concentrated in the downtown area around Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan’s national Sumo stadium.

While most Sumo stable morning practice tours are large group tours with only one guide, this Wabunka experience offers an escort guide exclusively for your group. The Sumo ring is considered a sacred place, and talking or making noise during the tour is strictly forbidden. As a result, your escort guide will provide you with detailed instructions on how to enjoy the morning practice session before the tour begins.

The tension and power of the Sumo wrestlers will take your breath away

Finally, the time has come to observe the morning practice. The Sumo stable is filled with a solemn atmosphere, and the sounds of the wrestlers' bodies colliding and their feet scraping against the ring reverberate throughout the room. An observation area is provided right next to the ring*, allowing you to witness every moment of the awe-inspiring spectacle that unfolds before your eyes.

*On the day of the tour, you will be seated in the designated observation area. However, if you register more than one month in advance or depending on the stable you wish to visit, chairs may be available.

You can even hear the wrestlers breathing

While the excitement of the event may make you want to express your thoughts and cheers, it is important to refrain from doing so during practice. In the world of Sumo, there are strict rules during practice to preserve the traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. If you have any questions, you can discreetly write them down and share them with your escort guide or ask them after the experience.

Suriashi (a sliding feet footwork technique) practice is essential for strengthening the lower body

Interact with rikishi at the end of the experience

Following the morning practice, you can have the opportunity to talk and take photos with the rikishi. Despite their serious demeanor during practice, the wrestlers are amiable and charming outside the ring, and are always more than happy to smile and pose for photos with you.

For the Sumo wrestlers, the "dohyo" is a sacred fighting ground

Once you leave the stable, you will head back to the nearest station with your escort guide. It will be a good time to talk about what you have just seen.

Learn Japanese culture through Sumo