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Offered languages
- English
Enjoy a unique experience that's simply not possible by just watching on TV! Come face to face with Japanese culture that has been kept alive through many years, such as the presence of a referee which began in the Sengoku period (about 1467-1603), and the use of vivid 'kesho-mawashi' ceremonial aprons and the ring entering procession which have continued from the Edo period (1603-1868), on this tour guided by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter knowledgeable about sumo wrestling. Watch sumo, Japan's national sport, from comfortable 2nd Floor chair seats. All tour participants will receive "The Sumo," a booklet about sumo (in English); and Banzuke-hyo, a table of rankings, as a gift! It has easy-to-understand explanations about the origins of sumo wrestling, match rules, reading the banzuke list, enjoying the ceremony, and more, so feel free to use it during the sumo viewing.
Copyright : Nihon Sumo Kyokai all rights reserved
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide holding a JTB Sunrise Tours sign at 2nd floor inside Ryogoku View Hotel. The meeting location is not Ryogoku Kokugikan. After exiting from the JR Ryogoku Station West Exit ticket gate, cross the pedestrian crossing immediately on the left. It will be opposite of Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The tour ends at Ryogoku Kokugikan around 6:00PM. Please head to the next destination on their own.
Itinerary
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1
Our expert guide, a certified National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter, will conduct a lecture about Sumo to provide valuable insights and enhance your sumo experience.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Ryogoku Kokugikan
Enjoy the thrilling sumo matches, S & A-class 13:10-18:00 or B-class 14:30-18:00. Time Schedule: 15:40 - Makuuchi Wrestler Ceremonial Entrance, Yokozuna Grand Champion Ring Entrance (will not take place if there are no Yokozuna present.) The crowd comes alive at the sight of their favorite wrestlers and cheers them on. The atmosphere in the arena brightens instantly. 16:00 - Makuuchi Division Wrestlers' Sumo Matches 18:00 - Bow-twirling Ceremony Things to Do: 1. Check out the arena entrance lobby to look at the championship flags and other items given to champion sumo wrestlers. The lobby is also a popular spot for photo taking. 2. The arena houses a Sumo Museum where important sumo-related items such as woodblock prints, folding screens and ceremonial aprons from as far back as the Edo period are on display. 3. There are shops on the 1st and 2nd floors of the arena. Enjoy shopping for fans, stationery, sweets, and other sumo-related merchandise.
3 hours 20 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Photo courtesy of ©Nihon Sumo Kyokai all rights reserved.
- The number of customers for 1 group booking for this tour is 1-19 for A-class and B-class seats or 1-9 for S-class seats. If booking for a group of 10 or 20 or more customers, please note that the group will be divided
- Please note that participants may not join partway through the tour. Also, participants may join only from the meeting location specified in advance
- Spectator Etiquette: Please note that you will have to wait to be seated if one of the following events is underway at the time: a sumo match, a speech by the Sumo Association (on the first and the last tournament day), the ring entering procession of the Makuuchi division wrestlers (dohyoiri), the ring entering procession of the Yokozuna, or the ritual stomping ceremony (on the last tournament day). In such a case, please wait until the event is over before proceeding to spectator seating. Also, the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter will not be able to provide explanations or other guidance during these events
- Children up to 3 years of age may also join, but must sit on the lap of a parent or guardian while watching. If the child requires a seat, please make a(typically for ages 4-11)
- Stroller storage areas are available on the 1st and 2nd floors. However, please note that we take no responsibility in case of theft, etc. in the arena. Strollers cannot be brought inside the arena seating area
- Bringing food and drinks including alcohol into Kokugikan is prohibited. Please purchase food and refreshments from the vendors inside the arena.
- [ONLY for S seats and A seats] At Kokugikan, customers on this tour will be provided a light snack (Kokugikan specialty yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) and drink) (1 per person). As there are no additions to be provided, customers who would like additional food and drink may purchase on their own at the shops on the 1st and 2nd floors of Kokugikan. Bringing food and drinks including alcohol into Kokugikan is prohibited
- [ONLY for S seats and A seats] Vegetarian options are not available. Please be aware that should a customer choose not to eat the Kokugikan specialty yakitori, this shall be considered a waiver of rights
- [ONLY for S seats and A seats] Each customer on this tour will be given 1 cheering towel in Kokugikan. Please bring it home as a souvenir from sumo viewing. Requests for specific colors or wrestler names, etc. are not accepted
- [ONLY for S seats] Customers will watch from 2nd floor S-class seats (chair seating). Also, seats may not be designated. This information will be provided on the day of the tour
- [ONLY for A seats] Customers will watch from 2nd floor A-class seats (chair seating). Also, seats may not be designated. This information will be provided on the day of the tour
- [ONLY for B seats] Customers will watch from 2nd floor B-class seats (chair seating). Also, seats may not be designated. This information will be provided on the day of the tour
- Please note that you may have to wait to be taken to your seat or listen to explanations by the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter if one of the following events is underway at the time: a sumo match, a speech by the Sumo Association (on the first and the last tournament day), the ring entering procession of the Makuuchi division wrestlers (dohyoiri), the ring entering procession of the Yokozuna, or the ritual stomping ceremony (last tournament day only)
- If your group is divided into multiple reservations, please be sure to input information on accompanying group members in the Remarks field for each reservation
- Groups may be seated separately in Kokugikan. Seating may be spread across the main, opposite, east, and westsides
- For those participating in a wheelchair, please indicate so in the remarks entry field when booking
- As Ryogoku Kokugikan's wheelchair storage area is on the 1st floor, please go to the 2nd floor on your own or with the help of an accompanying group member. When heading to the seats there are stairs and escalators going up and down. Please note that the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter cannot provide assistance or help
- Suitcases and other large pieces of luggage cannot be brought into the seating area. In addition, baggage cannot be stored at Ryogoku View Hotel, the meeting location. Please make sure to store luggage at another location on your own in advance (coin lockers, etc.) or at your accommodation
- Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour
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Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Rating
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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