Tokyo

Watch Sumo Morning Practice at Stable in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Watch Sumo Morning Practice at a Sumo Stable in Tokyo

From $97.66

Price varies by group size

Select Date and Travelers

up to 6 days in advance

1 hour
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Visit a sumo training center in Tokyo to observe the morning practice. Spend approximately two hours watching the sumo wrestlers train and observe the rules and regulations of sumo. It’s a rare chance for visitors to glimpse this exclusive world, and a fascinating window into a Japanese tradition.

2-hour tour to a sumo wrestling stable in Tokyo
Watch sumo wrestlers practicing their technique at a sumo stable
Gain access to a part of Japanese tradition that not many visitors see

What's Included

Entrance fee

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transfer to/from sumo stable
This product does not include any food or beverages.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Tokyo, Japan
A specific starting point will be provided via email approx. 1 week prior to your tour date as it depends on the availability of each sumo stable. Please send us a message if you do not hear from us. The starting point will be an accessible location in the Tokyo metropolitan area (23 wards).

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

Select your preferred activity option to see hours.

View tour option

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Make your own way to the easily accessible Tokyo meeting point and meet your guide and small group of fellow visitors. After introductions, head inside the sumo stable to watch wrestlers in action during their morning practice.

While being mindful of not distracting the wrestlers (don’t eat, talk loudly, or use camera with bright flashes or intrusive sound) take a seat on the floor and pay attention as the wrestlers stretch, warm up, and engage with one another in the sumo *dohyo* (ring).

After getting an authentic taste of traditional Japanese culture, there is time for photos before saying goodbye.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Minimum age is 13 years
Activity requires sitting for long periods of time on the floor

Conditions depend on sumo stable's schedule and can only be confirmed about one week before. Tournaments are held in other months and thus, the stable is closed. Exact dates vary each year
Ending time of practice varies every day
Duration will be between 60 to 90 minutes (Please note that this may be shorter when we have tournament in Tokyo)
During sumo tournament season in Tokyo in January, May, September, (around 15th~25th), practice duration will be between 30 min to 40 min. Duration is not usual but price will be same.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
Any changes made less than 6 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

254 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 254 reviews

The Sumo morning practice...

Julia_M, May 2024

The Sumo morning practice that we visited was very authentic and impressive. We would recommend not to skip this experience while visiting in Tokyo, for us it was one of the biggest shots of Japanese flavour

Great experience, small tweak

Benjamin_F, Apr 2024

Brilliant experience and good to see some of the old traditions in Japan still taking place. My only bit of constructive feedback is it would have been nice to have a little intro, to understand the rules and what we would be seeing. Other than that exceeded expectations as the sumos really went for it!

Fascinating but left with so many questions

Barbara_W, Apr 2024

It was fun and fascinating to watch the morning practice. Unfortunately, this tour gave us no guide (just a man with a list who opened the door for us) so there was no one to explain what we would see, the meaning of it, answer questions, etc. Moving forward I will be sure to sign up for a tour with a guide who speaks my language.

It was a fantastic...

Monali_R, Apr 2024

It was a fantastic experience to be able to see the sumo wrestlers practice. The power and intensity of the wrestlers was amazing.

Sumo Wrestling experience

Andrew_H, Apr 2024

A fantastic experience, up and close to the action. You get a real appreciation of the strength and skill of the wrestlers. It was an easy process to book the tickets and find the location. I'd recommended the experience.

Quintessential experience of Japan in an intimate setting. One of the highlights of our trip to Tokyo.

Darin_S, Apr 2024

We were met by a great guide who engaged us in an excellent discussion regarding the history of Sumo. The sumo stable was small which placed you close to the action. It was a great cultural experience.

Sumo stables

Marie_M, Apr 2024

Great experience seeing the Sumo wrestlers training. Make sure to get there a bit earlier to get front row as it can be difficult to see between people. Also be ready to sit on the floor for 2 hours - it can be a bit uncomfortable, a chair is available on request. Would definately recommend it.

Sumo practice as advertised, uncomfortable floors

Jeffrey_N, Apr 2024

It was sumo wrestlers practicing and warming up. As advertised. Interesting but unfortunately the tatami mat is thin and on top of a very hard floor. Was in a lot of pain sitting on the floor and had to leave after an hour. Only two chairs but a large group of people. Everyone around us looked in pain and was shuffling a lot. Not worth 2 hours of time for that level of discomfort. Could benefit from a thicker tatami mat or more chairs.

A worthwhile experience

david_c, Apr 2024

Great experience, really got a sense of the rituals of Sumo, how hard they train and how hard they compete. It’s an early start in the Sumo area of Tokyo. The address of the venue was sent a couple of days before but was very easy to find by public transport and walking for us though others chose to arrive by taxi. A worthwhile experience.

Unique glimpse into the world of Sumo

LisaMaria_K, Feb 2024

On am early and icy February morning we were able to watch the morning practice on one of the Sumo stables in Southern Tokyo. Seated on a small podest our group watched silently and from very close by as these massive athletes did their warm-up followed by an awe inspiring and forceful wrestling practice which gave us a great insight into the moves and rituals of this ancient sport. My kids loved it and were gripped throughout the 1,5 hours of practice. I can definitely recommend this experience!

Awesome chance to see the sumo wrestlers

Susan_D, Jan 2024

During the tournament the hours were decreased but non the less, this was a once in a lifetime chance to see sumo wrestlers incredibly clot sely and appreciate their strength. Loved the photos after. It is a bit out of the way so plan extra time to arrive. Loved it.

Good cultural experience

Madison_H, Jan 2024

Make sure to get their first. Be in front of line to get front row seats. There was like 50 people in our group. With everyone sitting on floor it was hard to see from back rows. That is my only compliant. However this is a great option if you are visiting Japan not during Sumo tournament months.

It was a great experience...

mallasjoub, Dec 2023

It was a great experience to visit the stable and to watch the wrestlers going through their paces!!

Good practice, bad views

Ben_P, Dec 2023

The sumo stable’s coach sat directly in front of me, and completely obstructed my view for 95% of the practice (and I couldn’t sit elsewhere because there were no other spots). Do not get stuck sitting behind the coach’s ’sitting pillow’ like I did.

Sumo Training Watch...memorable Japan experience.

Jeff_D, Oct 2023

We had a truly memorable Japan experience at the Sumo Morning Training Watch. Special thanks to Hiroko and True Japan Tours for their extra effort in arranging spaces for our group of four. As well, guide Ricko, who arranged transportation to and from the Watch was exceptionally helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.

Brilliant, authentic, watch sanctuary for prep!

benanewton, Oct 2023

Brilliant. Firstly, watch sanctuary on Netflix and then you have a good idea about what is happening. Secondly, get there early as you will sit at the front. Thirdly, be ready to sit cross legged or any position not pointing your feet forward for 2 hours and expect not to move. Fourthly, expect that this is not about you but about watching a practice by professional athletes and their training - it’s not entertainment. Our family including 2 teens loved this. Really interesting and mindful preparation ending with sparring or equivalent of. If you are interested in sumo then it is a must. Felt authentic and were privileged to watch it.

Interesting insight into the world of Sumo Wrestling

Deborah_G, Oct 2023

It was an interesting insight into Sumo Wrestling. I was surprised by the hard training they have to do and the fierceness of the initial impact when they wrestled. It can be uncomfortable to sit on the floor for 2 hours so be aware of this when booking.

A genuine experience.

Paul_F, Oct 2023

It felt genuine, especially watching the sumo banter back and forth and give each other advice. As a hockey player it was like being with the team and having a practice.

A highlight of our trip to Japan

Donna_B, Oct 2023

We thoroughly enjoyed watching morning practice at a sumo stable in Tokyo while it was a large group it felt like we were watching practice as it usually is. We saw the warm up and stretches and moves before watching practice and then photos. The sumos joked and teased each other and supported younger less experienced ones.

Meh

Noah_W, Oct 2023

We were expecting a bit more from this. It was 1 hour of stretching, maybe 30 minutes of contact practice, and 30 minutes for attendees to take a quick pic with the athletes. We were very squeezed into the space to watch.

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