![[Very popular - Grand Sumo!] Grand Sumo Tour - Tokyo Tournament, Ryogoku Kokugikan, and fun sumo goods included](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fill%2Ch_800%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_1240/s1.kkday.com/product_263324/20250313001119_5NyMM/png)
![[Very popular - Grand Sumo!] Grand Sumo Tour - Tokyo Tournament, Ryogoku Kokugikan, and fun sumo goods included](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fill%2Ch_400%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_500/s1.kkday.com/product_scm_870/20251219042013_0Ive1/jpg)
![[Very popular - Grand Sumo!] Grand Sumo Tour - Tokyo Tournament, Ryogoku Kokugikan, and fun sumo goods included](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fill%2Ch_400%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_500/s1.kkday.com/product_scm_870/20251219042029_PAv9j/jpg)
![[Very popular - Grand Sumo!] Grand Sumo Tour - Tokyo Tournament, Ryogoku Kokugikan, and fun sumo goods included](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fill%2Ch_400%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_500/s1.kkday.com/product_scm_870/20251219042022_4t1hZ/jpg)
![[Very popular - Grand Sumo!] Grand Sumo Tour - Tokyo Tournament, Ryogoku Kokugikan, and fun sumo goods included](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fill%2Ch_400%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_500/s1.kkday.com/product_scm_870/20251219042042_X8IBZ/jpg)
[Very popular - Grand Sumo!] Grand Sumo Tour - Tokyo Tournament, Ryogoku Kokugikan, and fun sumo goods included
- We have hard-to-obtain tickets for the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan!
- A very popular souvenir! All participants will receive a secret sumo item that will be a surprise after opening it!
- Boxed lunches and drinks are available for purchase within the building.
- Chanko nabe is available on the basement floor (fees apply).
- After entering the venue, you can re-enter. You can go out to eat or go shopping during your stay.
- If you wish to re-enter, please return by 5pm.
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Transportation method | Get there on your own |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
- Tour to see the great national sport of sumo wrestling
Sumo is Japan's national sport, and its competitors are not just fat people. Beneath the fat lie superbly trained muscles. And despite their large physiques, they have incredible flexibility, with legs as strong as tree trunks. Their physical abilities are truly acrobatic, and sumo wrestlers are the ultimate athletes, built for fighting. At the moment of a serious match, the sound of the wrestlers colliding with each other resonates throughout the arena. Be sure to see the clash with your own eyes!
- Viewing points
Sumo's history stretches back over 1,500 years
Sumo, Japan's national sport, has origins dating back to the age of mythology, and is said to have begun as a contest of strength. It continued as an imperial court event for around 300 years, held annually as a festival ritual to predict the year's harvest, and then during the Sengoku period, sumo became a form of training for samurai. Later, in the Edo period, sumo became more commercialized, with the introduction of kanjin sumo, and the foundations of modern-day professional sumo were laid. Today, sumo has taken on a formal form as a sport, beloved by many. At the venue, you can experience sumo's long history and one aspect of traditional culture up close.
- FAQ:
Q&A
Q: Can I eat or drink while watching sumo?
A: You can eat and drink at your seat. You cannot bring in bottles, cans, or food from outside, but soft drinks such as tea and juice, as well as alcoholic beverages such as beer and chuhai will be sold at the venue's convenience stores.
Q: What souvenirs or foods should I buy when I go to watch sumo wrestling?
A: The popular items are the cheering towels with the wrestlers' names printed on them and the cute wrestler cookies.
Q: What is the proper etiquette when watching sumo wrestling?
A: Sumo matches often end in just a few seconds, so please try not to move seats during the match. People behind you may miss the moment of victory or defeat. You can take photos in the chair seats, but please do not use a strong flash.
Q: Are there any dress codes when watching sumo wrestling?
A: There are no specific dress codes, but please avoid wearing large hats that may block the view of other spectators.
Yokozuna Toyoshoryu hails from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He won his second championship at the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament and was promoted to the 74th Yokozuna. He is a Mongolian sumo wrestler whose uncle was former Yokozuna Asashoryu. He had to withdraw from the March 2025 tournament, the tournament in which he was promoted, due to injury, and also withdrew from the July tournament midway through. It has been a tough start as a Yokozuna, but expectations are high that he will lead the sumo world as the East and West Yokozuna together with Oonosato.
Yokozuna "Ōnosato" hails from Ishikawa Prefecture. He continues to inspire many people affected by the earthquake and is currently the most powerful sumo wrestler, having set numerous speed records. With his hair styled in a messy, unstyled manner, he has climbed the ranks, and in the May 2024 tournament, he achieved a new record by winning the top division championship in just seven tournaments since his debut. Subsequently, in the May 2025 tournament, he achieved his fourth championship, becoming the fastest Japanese-born sumo wrestler to be promoted to Yokozuna since his stablemaster, Nishonoseki Oyakata (former Yokozuna Kisenosato), making him a truly unique wrestler.
Ozeki Kotozakura hails from Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture. He is a sumo thoroughbred, having grown up in a sumo family; his grandfather was former Yokozuna Kotozakura, nicknamed "The Fierce Bull," and his father was the first Kotonowaka, a former Sekiwake and his current stablemaster. He steadily climbed the ranks from the time he joined sumo, and was promoted to Ozeki after the January 2024 tournament. In the May tournament of the same year, he inherited his grandfather's ring name, Kotozakura, and achieved his long-awaited first championship in the November tournament of the same year. Unfortunately, his challenge for the Yokozuna title in the January 2025 tournament did not come to fruition, but he is a popular sumo wrestler who will continue to aim for the same highest rank as his grandfather, Yokozuna.
Before a match, the sumo wrestlers sprinkle "purifying salt" on the sumo ring. This salt is called "purifying salt" and is meant to purify the sacred sumo ring, ward off evil spirits, and cleanse the wrestlers' minds and bodies, praying for their safety. Only sumo wrestlers of the rank of Juryo or higher are permitted to do this.
Outside the venue, there are "nobori flags." Nobori are brightly colored flags bearing the names of sumo wrestlers, their stables, sponsors, and so on. They add to the festive atmosphere of the venue and also serve as lucky charms, wishing for the success of the sumo wrestlers.
Seating chart
A surprise gift! A secret sumo item awaits you until you open the bag!
"Dohyo-iri" (Ring-entering Ceremony) This is a ceremony held before a sumo match in the Juryo and Makuuchi divisions, in which the wrestlers wear colorful ceremonial aprons and enter the ring. It serves as an introduction to the audience and also has the meaning of warding off evil spirits from the arena as a Shinto ritual. The wrestlers appear in two groups, East and West, and enter the ring in order of their rank, lining up in a circle and performing prescribed actions such as pinching and lifting the ends of their ceremonial aprons and lightly joining their hands together.
"Yokozuna Ring-Entering Ceremony" The ring-entering ceremony, in which sumo wrestlers enter the ring, also serves as an introduction to the audience. The "Yokozuna Ring-Entering Ceremony," which is held separately from the ring-entering ceremonies of the Juryo and Makuuchi divisions, offers a unique and sacred experience. Accompanied by two other wrestlers, the "dew sweeper" and the "sword bearer," the Yokozuna enters the ring through the flower path, claps his hands, and then raises his legs high and performs the stomping ritual. As he stomps his legs, the shouts of "Yoisho!" from the audience echo throughout the arena. The Yokozuna's ceremonial apron and white rope are also among the highlights of the ceremony.
Purchase Notice
- Seats cannot be reserved. Seats will be announced on the day.
- If you would like to be seated next to each other in your group, please make your request under the same reservation record. We will try to seat you as close as possible, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.
- Children under the age of 3 are also allowed to enter, but they must sit on a parent's lap. If a seat is required, please apply for the child's rate.
Reminders
A minimum of 1 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 7 day(s) before the departure date
Large luggage such as suitcases cannot be placed on the seats. Please make arrangements to check them in elsewhere beforehand.
If you are late for the meeting time, your reservation will be cancelled. Please allow ample time to arrive.
Bringing in food, drinks, and alcohol is prohibited. Please use the shops inside the venue.
Please refrain from moving around during the ring-entering ceremonies of the top division wrestlers and the Yokozuna wrestlers.
While some reception staff may only be able to speak Japanese, we can use translation software or have staff who speak English or Chinese assist you by phone.
FAQ
The Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo is a prestigious professional sumo wrestling event, one of six held annually in Japan. It showcases the country's national sport, featuring highly trained rikishi (wrestlers) who combine immense strength, agility, and traditional techniques. The tournament is significant for its deep cultural roots, ancient rituals, and the intense athletic prowess displayed, offering a unique glimpse into Japanese heritage.
The Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament is primarily held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo. To get there, you can take the JR Chuo-Sobu Line to Ryogoku Station, where the arena is just a short walk from the West Exit. Alternatively, take the Toei Oedo Line to Ryogoku Station and exit via A4 for direct access.
Each day of the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament features matches throughout the day, starting with lower-ranked wrestlers in the morning and progressing to the top-ranked Makuuchi division bouts in the late afternoon. Key events include the dohyo-iri (ring entering ceremonies) for Makuuchi and Yokozuna wrestlers, and the yumi-tori-shiki (bow-twirling ceremony) marking the end of the day's matches. The final day concludes with championship ceremonies.
During the Grand Sumo Tournament, Ryogoku Kokugikan offers various amenities. You can purchase boxed lunches and drinks within the building. Chanko nabe, a traditional sumo stew, is available on the basement floor for an additional fee. Visitors are also permitted to re-enter the venue after exiting, allowing time for external meals or shopping. Please note that re-entry is typically allowed until 5 PM.
When attending the Grand Sumo Tournament Tour, participants often receive a sumo towel and a special secret sumo item as popular souvenirs. Additionally, upon arrival at Ryogoku Kokugikan, dedicated staff are available to provide guidance and assist attendees in finding their designated seats, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable entry experience.
Spectators at the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament should observe specific etiquette to show respect. During the dohyo-iri (ring entering ceremonies) and pre-match rituals, it's customary to remain seated and quiet. While cheering during matches is encouraged, avoid yelling during the intense staredown (nirami-ai) or before the initial charge (tachi-ai). It is acceptable to eat and drink at your seat, but maintain cleanliness.
Securing tickets for the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan often requires early planning due to high demand. You can pre-book your tickets through reputable travel platforms that offer tour packages, which often include desirable seating. For convenience and to ensure access to hard-to-obtain tickets, booking through KKday can simplify the process, providing a streamlined way to experience this popular event without the hassle of individual ticket acquisition.
For the most exciting matches at the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament, the optimal time to watch is typically in the late afternoon, usually from around 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. This period features the highest-ranked sumo wrestlers, including the Makuuchi and Yokozuna divisions, who participate in the most anticipated and climactic bouts of the day.
Get Help
