Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament
+22 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Price from
- $214 / person
- Location
- Tokyo, Japan
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 123 reviews
- Languages
- JA, EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 35
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Arumachi
- Meeting point
- All travelers who chose either of the following options will meet at the left side of the Kokugikan arena's front gate at 15:00 o'clock.1) 3PM - with chanko-nabe dinner option2) 3PM - without chanko dinnerThe guide will be holding a recognizable signboard.
Description
What sets this tour apart is its focus on the origins, history, and culture of sumo, combined with real-time commentary during the matches. This small-group tour (maximum 10 participants) is led by a sumo expert guide and has two parts: 1. Ryogoku Walking Tour Explore Ryogoku, the heart of sumo culture, and visit historical sumo landmarks. You will also see sumo stables from outside, where wrestlers live and train. The guide provides insights into sumo traditions, history, and customs, helping you gain a deeper understanding before entering the arena. 2. Grand Sumo Tournament Viewing Watch live tournament matches with real-time commentary from your guide, enhancing your appreciation of the action and rituals taking place in the ring. For those interested only in the tournament experience, a viewing-only option is also available. You may also choose to add a chanko dinner, a nutritious hot-pot dish traditionally eaten by sumo wrestlers to build strength and maintain their physique.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
- Next available
- Sun, Oct 18
- Adult (ages 4+)
- $214
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 16.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Ryogoku
13:00 - 15:00 This part (optional) is to deepen knowledge about sumo history and culture to enhance joy of watching sumo later in the arena. Toward that end, you will visit historical sumo landmarks and sumo stables. Major must-see landmarks the guide will take you to are: 1) Hakkaku-beya Sumo Stable (15min) 2) Nomi no Sukune Shrine (15min) 3) Ryogoku Kokugikan (30min) 4) Ryōgoku Edo NOREN (30min) 5) Ekō-in (15min) 6) Kasugano-beya Sumo Stable (15min)
Ryogoku Kokugikan
15:00 - 18:00 Viewing bouts at the arena 1.The guide will walk you through inside the arena to see 1) Murals (10m) 2) Championship prizes (10m) 3) Sumo museum (15min) 4) Paintings / photos of successive Yokozunas (15min) 2.You will receive (see the photo section): - A special pamphlet showing photos and profiles of wrestlers with English translation. The guide will walk you through it as you watch fights so that you can watch them with background information. - A cheer-up towel for a particular wrestler. The guide will teach you how to use it when the wrestler is going to fight. Join the enthusiam of the arena by cheering-up the wrestler.
Ryogoku
18:00 - Chanko-nabe dinner (Optional) The guide will take you to one of the best chanko-nabe restaurants near the arena. Enjoy the nutrient hot-pot dish eaten by sumo wrestlers to build their bodies and muscles. ; drinks are not included.
What's included
Included
Cheer-up goods to root for a particular wrestler
All Fees and Taxes
Information package of tournament information, sumo ranking, and profiles of prominent wrestlers
For a group of 3 or more, headsets for each to hear the guide's voice clearly even from distance
Guiding in English by a sumo expert guide
Not included
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Drinks for the chanko-nabe dinner option; to be ordered separately.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
123 reviews
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour comes in several options depending on the combination of the following: 1) Landmark/history tour 13:00 - 15:00 Sumo-related historical landmark guided tour. This is a walking tour around Ryogoku, a sumo town, to increase the joy of watching the tournament by learning a lot about sumo from your knowledgeable guide as you visit many sumo-related must-see spots before you actually view the bouts in the arena. 2) Viewing bouts in the arena 15:00 - 18:00 Enjoy the bouts as you listen to the real-time commentaries from your expert guide, and get excited as you join the excited spectators! 3) Chanko dinner option This nutrient dish is the centerpiece of sumo wrestlers’ diets to gain weight and muscles to build their bodies. 4) Seating You will be seated either in chair B on the balcony in the arena; the seating map in the photo section shows their detailed locations.
- While infants (0 - 3 year old) are free of charge, please let us know how many of them will come if you take any to the tour.
- This tour is available on January 12th and 18th.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament take?
Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament lasts about 6 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament cost?
Prices start at $214 per person for this Tokyo experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 4 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Can I cancel Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is All travelers who chose either of the following options will meet at the left side of the Kokugikan arena's front gate at 15:00 o'clock. 1) 3PM - with chanko-nabe dinner option. 2) 3PM - without chanko dinner. The guide will be holding a recognizable signboard. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 35 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap While infants (0 - 3 year old) are free of charge, please let us know how many of them will come if you take any to the tour.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Tokyo: Grand Sumo January Tournament worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 123 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Arumachi.
Reviews(123)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$214
4.9(123) Free cancellation