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[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.
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 Toyonoryu is from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He won his second championship in the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament and was promoted to the 74th Yokozuna. He is a Mongolian wrestler whose uncle is former Yokozuna Asashoryu. He withdrew midway through the March 2025 tournament, where he was promoted, due to injury, and then again midway through the July tournament. While his start as a Yokozuna was tough, expectations are high for him to lead the sumo ring alongside Onosato as both East and West Yokozuna.
Yokozuna "Oonosato" is a native of Ishikawa Prefecture. He continues to inspire many people affected by the earthquake and is currently one of the most dynamic sumo wrestlers, having set numerous speed records. He rose through the ranks with his hair in a bun, unable to be tied up, and in the May 2024 tournament, he achieved his highest makuuchi title, just seven tournaments after his debut, a new record. He then won his fourth championship in the May 2025 tournament, making him the "one and only" sumo wrestler from Japan to achieve promotion to yokozuna in the fastest time in history since his master, Oyakata Nishonoseki (former yokozuna Kisenosato).
Ozeki "Kotosakura" is from Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture. His grandfather was former Yokozuna Kotosakura, nicknamed "The Fierce Bull," and his father was former Sekiwake and his master, the first Kotonowaka, making him a thoroughbred sumo wrestler. He steadily rose through the ranks from the time he joined the sumo world, and was promoted to Ozeki after the January 2024 tournament. In the May tournament of the same year, he took on his grandfather's shikona, "Kotosakura," and achieved his long-awaited first victory in the November tournament of the same year. Unfortunately, his challenge for Yokozuna in the January 2025 tournament was not realized, but he is a popular wrestler who will continue to aim for the highest rank, Yokozuna, just like his grandfather.
"Purifying Salt" before the match: The salt that sumo wrestlers sprinkle on the ring before the start of the bout is called "purifying salt," and is meant to purify the sacred ring, drive away evil spirits, and purify the sumo wrestler's mind and body, as well as pray for safety. Only sumo wrestlers (wrestlers ranked at or above Juryo) are allowed to do so.
Outside the venue: Nobori flags Nobori are brightly colored flags bearing the names of the wrestlers, their stables, sponsors, etc. They brighten up the atmosphere of the venue and are also considered lucky charms to pray for the success of the wrestlers.
Seating plan
A fun gift! You'll have to wait until you open the bag to find a secret sumo item!
"Dohyo-iri" (Ring-entering) - This ritual takes place before a sumo match, in which juryo and makuuchi wrestlers enter the ring wearing colorful mawashi (sashes worn over the head). It also serves as an introduction to the audience and a religious ritual to ward off evil spirits from the arena. The wrestlers, separated into east and west groups, enter the ring in descending order of rank, then line up in a circle, performing prescribed movements such as lifting the edges of their mawashi and clasping their hands lightly.
"Yokozuna Dohyo-iri" The dohyo-iri, where sumo wrestlers enter the ring, also serves as a formal introduction. The "Yokozuna Dohyo-iri," which is held separately from the juryo and makuuchi dohyo-iri, offers a unique and sacred ritual. Accompanied by two other wrestlers, the "tsuyuharai" (a person who carries the decoy) and the "tachimochi" (a person who carries the sword), the yokozuna enters the ring through the runway. After clapping his hands, he raises his leg high and performs a stomp. As he performs this stomp, shouts of "Yoisho!" from the audience reverberate throughout the venue. The yokozuna's mawashi (a traditional acolyte) and white rope are also highlights.
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 carry-on bags cannot be placed on seats. Please make arrangements in advance to check in your luggage in another location.
If you are late for the meeting time, your reservation will be canceled. Please arrive with plenty of time.
Bringing food, drinks, and alcohol into the venue is prohibited. Please use the concession stands within the venue.
Please refrain from moving between the makuuchi and yokozuna ring-entering stages during the match.
While the reception staff may only be able to speak Japanese, we will use interpretation software and have staff who can speak English or Chinese available over the phone to assist you.
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.
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