Early Morning Sumo Stable Practice Viewing Guided Tour: Take Photos with Active Sumo Wrestlers!
Overview
Experience the power and tradition of Japan's national sport up close in an authentic sumo stable! Watch in awe as sumo wrestlers engage in intense practice bouts, figures clashing and breaths echoing in the silence of the stable, right before your eyes.
Highlights
- Visit an authentic sumo stable where active Makuuchi Division wrestlers belong
- After watching, customers can look forward to taking photos with the wrestlers
- Includes original merchandise exclusive to this tour!
- Reserve with a Rakuten account to earn or use Rakuten Points for each booking!
Key Information
Important Information
Itinerary
Meet in front of Tatsunami Stable entrance
• Start: 8:30, End: 8:40
• Please show your reservation confirmation sheet to the tour staff wearing a blue happi.
Access to Tatsunami Stable:
• Approx. 20 min on foot from Asakusa Station (Toei Line, Tokyo Metro Line, Tobu Railway).
• By bus: Take the Toei Bus East 42-Ko route bus bound for Minami-Senju Station West Exit (Minami-Senju-eki Nishiguchi) and alight at Higashiasakusa. Approx. 10 min on foot from there.
• Or, from Asakusa Station, take the Taito Ward Kita-Megurin loop bus and alight at Hashiba Rojin Fukushikan Nishi. Approx. 3 min on foot from there.
Viewing Lecture
• Duration: 20 minutes
• To ensure that customers can enjoy watching the practice while observing proper etiquette, the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter will provide basic information about sumo and the Tatsunami Stable, as well as important points to follow when watching the practice.
• The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter will give explanations about the audio guide service. Whispering and talking are strictly prohibited while watching the practice, but customers can listen to commentary from the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, allowing them to enjoy watching with a deeper understanding.
*Those who do not agree to the terms and conditions may not be allowed to watch the practice. Thank you for your understanding.
Practice Viewing (with Audio Guide)
• Duration: 45 minutes
• Get an up-close look at sumo wrestlers as they train for the Grand Sumo Tournament, which is held 6 times a year.
• Experience Japanese culture with the provided cushion seating on tatami mat flooring. (Chairs will be provided for customers who have difficulty sitting. Please make a request in the Remarks in advance.)
• While whispering and talking are strictly prohibited during the practice, an audio guide service is available, allowing customers to listen to explanations from the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, gaining a deeper understanding and making the practice viewing more enjoyable.
*Depending on the number of wrestlers practicing on the day, the time for practice viewing may be shorter than 45 minutes. In this case, the tour may end earlier than the indicated time, but refunds will not be issued. Furthermore, depending on the number of wrestlers, the time for practice viewing may be longer.
Commemorative Photo with Sumo Wrestlers, Personal Belongings Viewing, Q&A Corner
• Duration: 35 minutes
• After the practice, customers can take a commemorative photo with the wrestlers.
• Customers can also check out personal belongings such as sumo-sized yukata and bath towels, as well as the training equipment used during practice, giving a glimpse into the life of a sumo wrestler.
• There will also be a Q&A corner where customers can ask questions to the sumo wrestlers. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to converse with an active sumo wrestler!
Tour Ends
• End: 10:20
• When the tour ends, JTB Sunrise Tours original merchandise will be handed out to all customers. Feel free to bring it home as a souvenir.
• Please head to your next destination on your own after the tour.
*The tour end time may be earlier or later than expected depending on the practice time.
Min. pax number to book tour: 1 Min. pax number to run tour: 1
Remarks
Operation Conditions/Tour Conditions
- If the minimum number of participants (1) is not met by 4 days before the scheduled date, the tour on that date may be canceled.
- The last reception day (reservation deadline) is the day prior to the tour at 12:00.
- The training hall is a sacred place where sumo wrestlers train hard every day in order to obtain the highest rank of yokozuna. Please be sure to understand and follow the precautions when watching to avoid distracting the wrestlers and preventing injury.
- Please stay quiet as whispering and talking are strictly prohibited.
- Do not stand up or move around.
- It is strictly forbidden to step on the ring or touch the wrestlers without permission .
- Excessive perfume or fabric softener scents are strictly prohibited.
- When seated, do not stretch your legs out towards the sumo wrestling ring. (It is considered impolite to show the soles of the feet to sumo wrestlers.)
- Eating and drinking are not allowed.
- Please keep your mobile phone on silent mode or turned off, and do not use flash photography or record videos.
- Please refrain from leaving midway.
- During the visit, please take off your shoes. Please keep shoes neatly in place.
- Toilet facilities may be used, but please keep them clean.
- The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter will provide explanations before viewing. Those who are not in agreement may not be allowed to watch the practice. Thank you for your understanding.
Exemptions/Itinerary Guarantee: Itinerary/Destinations
- Please note that times listed on the itinerary are estimates. Depending on the number of wrestlers practicing on the day, the time for practice viewing may be shorter than 45 minutes. In this case, the tour may end earlier than the indicated time, but refunds will not be issued. Furthermore, depending on the number of wrestlers, the time for practice viewing may be longer. In this case, the tour may end later than the indicated time. Thank you for your understanding.
- During the tour, customers may be informed of a social media campaign where prizes will be given away by lottery to those who follow the Tatsunami Stable social media account.
Important Notes/Supplements: Meeting/Pick-up/Pick-up Location
- Meet in front of Tatsunami Stable entrance: 1-16-5 Hashiba, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- The tour staff will be waiting for customers at the meeting location wearing a blue happi (traditional Japanese tube-sleeved coat). The happi has a Sunrise Tours logo on the back.
- Access: approx. 20 min on foot from Asakusa Station (Toei Line, Tokyo Metro Line, Tobu Railway).
- By bus: Take the Toei Bus East 42-Ko route bus bound for Minami-Senju Station West Exit (Minami-Senju-eki Nishiguchi) and alight at Higashiasakusa. Approx. 10 min on foot from there. Or, from Asakusa Station, take the Taito Ward Kita-Megurin loop bus and alight at Hashiba Rojin Fukushikan Nishi. Approx. 3 min on foot from there. *Those who are late for the tour start time may not be able to watch the sumo practice. (Entry is not allowed while practice viewing is ongoing.) Please give yourself plenty of time. *As the public road in front of Tatsunami stable is one way, there are different bus stops used to go to and return from there. Details will be provided by the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter on the day.
Important Notes/Supplements: Regarding Children/Infants
- Children 0-3 years old may not join this tour.
Important Notes/Supplements: Regarding Meals
- Please refrain from bringing food and drinks into the sumo stable.
Important Notes/Supplements: What to Wear/Bring
- Excessive perfume or fabric softener scents are strictly prohibited. Please be forewarned that those who do not follow the rules will not be allowed to watch the practice.
- Please remove sunglasses and hats inside as it is considered rude.
Important Notes/Supplements: Other
- While whispering and talking are strictly prohibited during the practice, an audio guide service is available, allowing customers to listen to explanations from the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter and make the tour more enjoyable.
- While watching the practice, experience Japanese culture with the provided cushion seating on tatami mat flooring. Chairs will be provided for customers who have difficulty sitting. Please make a request in the Remarks in advance.
Important Notes/Supplements: Language Support
- Guide Language Support: English
- The tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.
Booking (4 steps)
Duration
Included
- National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter fee
- Audio guide service
- Sumo stable practice viewing
- Commemorative photo with sumo wrestlers
- JTB Sunrise Tours original merchandise
Not Included
- Transportation expenses to the meeting location
- Food and drink
What to Bring
- At reception, please show the reservation confirmation sheet or e-mail (printout/digital copy on mobile device) to staff
Meeting Point
At the entrance of Tatsunami Stable
Venue Address
1-16-5 Hashiba, Taito, Tokyo, Japan
Schedule
• Itinerary: see the Important Information section • Tour period: irregular dates from Feb 12 to Dec 26, 2025
Includes
- National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter fee
- Audio guide service
- Sumo stable practice viewing
- Commemorative photo with sumo wrestlers
- JTB Sunrise Tours original merchandise
Excludes
- Transportation expenses to the meeting location
- Food and drink
Planning and Implementation: JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc. Address: 2-3-14 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agent (No. 1723) A member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents
Commissioned Travel Agencies: Japan Tourism Agency - Registered Travel Agency No. 1964 Rakuten Group, Inc. [Head Office] Rakuten Crimson House, 1-14-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo [Shinagawa Office] NBF Shinagawa Tower, 2-16-5 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Provided by
JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
Description
1. This rare tour takes customers to a sumo stable where sumo wrestlers live and train every day. With JTB Sunrise Tours, visit an authentic sumo stable where active Makuuchi Division wrestlers belong. Watch in awe as sumo wrestlers engage in intense practice bouts, figures clashing and breaths echoing in the silence of the stable, right before your eyes.
2. After watching, customers can look forward to taking photos with the wrestlers and even seeing some personal belongings, and enjoying the Q&A corner where they can ask some questions to the sumo wrestlers. Get a glimpse into the lives of sumo wrestlers, including sumo-sized yukata and bath towels that most people don't usually get to see!
3. The tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter who will provide basic information about sumo and introduce the wrestlers of Tatsunami-beya, the sumo stable that the tour will be visiting. Whispering and talking are strictly prohibited while watching the practice, but an audio guide service is available, allowing customers to listen to commentary from the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter during the practice and enjoy watching with a deeper understanding.
4. Includes JTB Sunrise Tours original merchandise exclusive to this tour! All customers will be able to take home a souvenir from the tour.
About Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism: This tour promotes cross-cultural understanding as stated under Sunrise Tours' Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for responsible travel, and urge one and all to become responsible travelers. Please check the following page for details. http://jtbgmt.com/en/g-web/sdgs
