FREE cancellation What to Expect
Overview:
Sumo, traditional Japanese wrestling, was established as Japan's national sport in 1909.
Sumo is one of the oldest sports in the world, dating back roughly 2,000 years to the mid-Yayoi period!
In ancient times, it was practiced as part of agricultural and Shinto rituals, so it still includes many traditional ceremonial elements to this day.
In this tour you will be able to observe sumo practice up close in a Tokyo Sumo stable. We will also visit the Sumo museum in Kokugikan.
Schedule:
Guide meets guests at hotel or west exit of Ryogoku JR Station in the early morning and takes them back to the hotel or a location requested by guests in the afternoon. During the tour, we will use public transportation.
The practice begins at 8:00 am and finishes at 11:00 am (practice may finish at 10:30 am depending on the stable's schedule).
We will need to sit on hardwood floor (with thin cushion) for about 2 to 3 hours, and must remain quiet to respect the wrestlers who are practicing.
Since Japanese people are rather sensitive to noise and manners, we will need to avoid chatting with each other, eating, or drinking during the practice.
Photos are allowed; but no flash.
Practices will be held from the end of May to June 25. There is a need to confirm the sumo stable's availability and make reservations in advance, so please let me know what dates you would like to plan a tour.
Practices will not be held in Tokyo from June 26 to July 31. (the 2016 July Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya will start from July 10th.) Practices of the stable's schedule in August are not fixed yet.
Costs:
The price of the tour includes tour guide's fee, her transportation, and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Other costs, such as gratuity to the Sumo stable (3000 yen per person) and guest’s transportation fee (approximately 1,000 JPY, which will vary depending on location of the hotel) are not included.
