Book a Sumo Stable Practice Tour Tokyo – Watch Morning Sumo Training
Overview
The six annual Grand Tournaments aren’t the only place to see sumo. For a glimpse into the life and practice of a sumo wrestler, join this sumo stable tour in Tokyo. With an English-speaking guide, watch the wrestlers up-close as they participate in their morning training, then take a commemorative photo at the end. **You can book another sumo activity [here](https://experiences.travel.rakuten.co.jp/experiences/22654?l-id=21415_overview).**
Highlights
- Watch sumo wrestlers train at a real sumo stable in Tokyo
- Get an up-close look at a day in the life of a sumo wrestler
- Learn about the history and rituals of sumo from your English-speaking guide
- Take a commemorative photo with sumo wrestlers after the training
Key Information
Description
See Japan’s national sport in a whole new light! Whether you missed the chance to attend a tournament or loved it so much you want more, a morning training tour at a Tokyo sumo stable is a unique insight into a world-famous practice. You’ll meet your English-speaking guide, who’ll take you to the stable (called a “heya”) in the Ryogoku neighborhood of Tokyo. This area is home to many of the prestigious heya in Japan. There, you’ll watch “asa-geiko,” or morning training. In a ring marked as holy ground, these imposing athletes undergo a strenuous regime that’s tightly bound in tradition and ritual. Your guide will explain the intricacies of sumo, including its centuries' worth of history and deep connections with the Shinto religion. You’ll also be instructed on how to behave in accordance with these traditions, and the etiquette involved with watching and practicing sumo. When training is over, you’ll get a chance to take photos with the wrestlers themselves — a far cry from watching a tournament through binoculars! Book this Tokyo sumo stable tour now for an unforgettable experience!
How it works
1: Once your booking is confirmed, we will connect you with your guide. Please wait for your guide to confirm the exact time and meeting place, which will not be fixed until shortly before the tour. Since a sumo stable is not a sightseeing attraction, the best time and place to visit can change without prior notice. The usual start time is between 08:00–09:00, early in the morning 2: Meet your guide at the closest station to the designated stable for your tour. From there, you will walk to the sumo stable. The training session can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the wrestlers’ physical condition and various other factors 3: Visitors are expected to stay for the entire duration of the practice. After the training session is over, you will have a photo opportunity with the sumo wrestlers. Please do not share photos of sumo wrestlers on websites or social media, as it could cause portrait rights issues