Tokyo: Visit Sumo Morning Practice with English Guide

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Tokyo, Japan

Popular pick

Booked 10+ times last week!

1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.5

· Andrea_S ·

Apr 2025

This was a great morning out. After booking, the company responded quickly to questions sent via email. When we arrived at the meeting point the guide was easy to find with a big sign. After a short pleasant walk we had a fun morning watching the practice.

· Mark_K ·

Apr 2025

An amazing experience; 2 hours watching an incredibly intense sumo training session. So close to the action you could almost feel the explosive power being generated by the wrestlers. Our guides were charming and helpful, speaking very good English and providing a useful fact sheet detailing sumo terms. Recommended without hesitation.

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Overview

Enjoy the rare opportunity to see sumo wrestlers during a training session in Tokyo. Normally closed off from spectators, you'll get special viewing access and learn about the sport's traditions and history from your guide. Take home a souvenir from your unique experience: A commemorative photo with the sumo wrestlers.

Visit a sumo stable that has produced many champions in Tokyo
Navigate any language barriers with your guide
Go sightseeing in nearby Asakusa after the viewing if you wish
Ask your guide any questions about the sport

What's Included

All Fees and Taxes
English-speaking guide fee
Fee to observe sumo practice

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Ryogoku Sta.
1-chōme-4-29 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan
07:45 “Ryogoku Station”, subway “Oedo line" The staff is waiting for you at the A-3 Exit of the elevators. You will then head to the Takasago-beya stable (10-minute walk) with the guide.

End point

2-chōme-30-1 Ishiwara, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0011, Japan
After the tour ends at the tour location, Takasago Stable, you will be dismissed (the guide will show you how to get to your next destination)

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

Takasagobeya

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.5

based on 24 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

100% worth it.

Steven_H, Apr 2026

What am experience to tick off your bucket list. Was so great to watch the hard work the guys put into their sport and see their culture. 100% recommend this to anyone visiting Japan.

Restricted visibility

Chris_B, Feb 2026

Interesting to watch. They pack the tourists in though so there was restricted visibility. Would have been better if it weren't so packed with tourists

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for participating. We took care to ensure a view from all seats, such as by using chairs in the back, but we apologize that you were not satisfied. We will check all seats again with our guide and strive to improve. We are pleased that you were able to experience the power of the sumo wrestlers.

Amazing guide and experience

Francesco_C, Jan 2026

The guide was amazing and the experience extremely cool! Highly recommended to anyone visiting Tokyo!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for participating. We're glad you had the opportunity to experience real, serious sumo. We'd also like to thank our guide for your kind words. We'll use your words as encouragement to provide you with an even better tour.

sumo love

Pauline_S, Sep 2025

loved the sumo wrestlers. dedicated athletes who work incredibly hard at their sport we took a cab directly and it was easier for us from the area we were staying

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for participating. We're glad you were able to experience authentic practice.

Disastrous Sumo Practice Experience - Would Rate Below Zero if Possible

Fernando_L, May 2025

Here is the final version of your review, including your statement about the rating: Unfortunately, this experience was far worse than I could have imagined and was, frankly, a complete waste of time and money. If there were a rating below zero stars, that is what I would choose. To begin, upon our arrival, the sumo practice had already commenced, and the sumo wrestlers were already on the training floor. This was incredibly disheartening, as I was explicitly told that our group would be the first to arrive in the morning. This leads me to my next point: there was clearly another group present before us. This was incredibly confusing and frustrating, as it directly contradicted the information I received and suggests a significant lack of organization. Furthermore, the seating arrangements were incredibly uncomfortable and offered a very poor view of the practice. It was difficult to see what was happening due to the inadequate seating. Adding to the frustration, while there were some other seats that appeared to offer a better view, those were quickly occupied by the group that had already arrived. Finally, I was quite disturbed to notice that the front row seats appeared to be reserved for local Japanese attendees only. This practice is unfair, unethical, and was not disclosed beforehand. As a tourist, I felt relegated to a less desirable viewing position based on my nationality. Overall, I cannot recommend this event in the strongest possible terms. The fact that the practice had already started when we arrived, coupled with the presence of another group despite being told we were the first, the uncomfortable seating with poor views, and the apparent discriminatory seating practices, made this an absolutely disastrous experience. Viator needs to address these issues urgently, as this was a complete rip-off.

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you for joining us. We sincerely apologize for causing you any inconvenience despite your participation. We limit the number of participants, but occasionally fan clubs from Japan visit unexpectedly. Although we do our best to anticipate the number of attendees in advance, we were unable to prepare for their sudden arrival on the day, and we regret that you were not fully satisfied with the experience. Please rest assured that this was not due to any discrimination based on nationality or race. We sincerely appreciate your valuable feedback and will use this experience to improve our services and provide a more enjoyable tour for our customers in the future.

Well organized, interesting morning

Andrea_S, Apr 2025

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you very much! Your review is a great encouragement to our staff. We will continue to provide attentive service. We are glad you had a wonderful morning.

Take extra time to find meeting location

Emily_H, Apr 2025

We didn't catch our guide's name but she was very efficient and spoke: English, French and Japanese that we heard. The tour leaves the A3 exit at exactly 7:45 don't be late. We took the train and were let out on the other side of the station. Allot yourself an extra 10 min to find the "A3 exit". Sumo practice was fantastic. A great experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you for joining us! We apologize for any inconvenience caused in finding the meeting place. Yes, the tour will depart at exactly 7:45 a.m. However, we will have two staff members waiting, so even if you are late, one of them will be there to meet you, so please rest assured. In addition, we will send you a confirmation email the day before and provide you with the guide's WhatsApp number, so we can respond to any accidents on the day.

Sumo wrestling

Reina_L, Apr 2025

Interesting experience & well planned. Tour guide very helpful & friendly & speaks excellent English.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you for participating in this tour. We are honored that you praised the morning training experience and the guide. The staff's motivation also increases with reviews like this. From now on, all of our staff will continue to do their best to provide tours and guidance that will satisfy our customers. Thank you!

Incredible experience

Mark_K, Apr 2025

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you for participating. I'm glad you were able to experience the power of a real morning training session. I think it will also make watching sumo matches more enjoyable. I will continue to introduce Japanese culture with the aim of providing guides that will please everyone. Thank you!

Truly above and beyond service!

Jahmal_B, Jan 2025

All in all, this was an excellent way to experience Sumo wrestling and the culture that surrounds the sport. I was amazed as I watched the training of these unconventional athletes. It was truly a wonder to have a front row seat to the process! The tour operator was knowledgeable and really went above and beyond! Even after the tour was over, she took it beyond herself to help me get a Pasmo card for the train. A true lifesaver since my Japanese is non-existent :) Truly above and beyond service!

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your encouraging words. Our guides are proud to introduce the experience, but they say that your words make them even happier and more motivated. Thank you for experiencing real sumo training. We hope you will come again. Thank you!

We enjoyed the sumo practice.

Fred_W, Jan 2025

Our guide was helpful in explaining the sumo practice session, which we all enjoyed. It is in a small room so you get to experience the sounds and sweat as well as the sight.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for participating. We always try to provide careful guidance, but your words are a great encouragement to us, and we are grateful. We are happy that you were able to experience the realistic sound of the real wrestlers colliding. Thank you.

Sitting on the floor or...

lorrie_o, Dec 2024

Sitting on the floor or small tools/seats may be uncomfortable for westerners for the duration of the venue.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you for taking part in this event. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the traditional sumo stable style. At the same time, we are grateful that you were able to experience authentic training in the traditional sumo culture.

Super cool, authentic,...

Aimee_A, Dec 2024

Super cool, authentic, and up-close experience, got to have full immersion in Sumo wrestling practice. Guide was so sweet and hospitable!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you for taking part. Your kind words are a great encouragement to us, including the guides. We would be happy if you could come again. Thank you.

Great introduction to the world of Sumo wrestling

Amit_R, Jun 2024

The morning practice provided glimpse into the world of Sumo wrestling. The practice session was quite educative as it showcased most of the training exercises. The practice bouts were intense and revealed the highly competitive nature of the sport. The seating place for visitors did get quite crowded with people from an other tour also present, some joining while the session was underway. Seating was somewhat squeezed. The Viator guide, however, took great care to ensure that all the Viator customers were comfortably seated. The photo session with the wrestlers at the end was fun. On the whole, it was an enjoyable experience and I would recommend highly recommend the tour.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you very much for your participation. We are glad that you could understand and experience the real and serious practice. It is fun to watch a match after having experienced it, so please come and watch a match as well.

Awesome

Quentin_K, May 2024

From the welcome at my metro station to the sumo training hall was very warm. The sumo training was impressive to watch. I recommend it!

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you for your participation. We are glad that you experienced a real sumo practice. We hope you will have the opportunity to join us again.

Highlight of our Tokyo trip

Rusty_J, Apr 2024

An incredible experience. I would think this is even better than going to a large, formal competition in some ways, as you’re up close with the sumo’s and when they fight, it’s pretty serious! Highly recommend, was the highlight of the trip, especially for my teenagers.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for participating in the Sumo morning practice tour. We are glad that you could experience the serious practice of sumo wrestlers. We are especially pleased that your children were able to experience this and that they will be able to remember the Japanese culture for years to come. Thank you very much for your time!

Liked it!

FaikErdem_D, Apr 2024

Overall, it was very interesting to see the Sumo wrestlers doing their training. 30 mins(may be a bit longer) consist of streching, preparing their bodies for wrestling. Then their younger ones started to challange each other and it was good to watch. Then more powerful ones started to wrestle against each other and it was really interesting. Our guide was so polite and helpful. She was on time at the right place. They distributed a description of history and training details, which was sufficient to learn and understand during training. Summary: well worth to go and watch. Enjoyed it!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you very much! We are very happy that you had a chance to experience sumo practice. After experiencing this tour, it is also interesting to watch a match, so we highly recommend it. We were happy to be able to work with you and your guests.

Fun!

poggle15, Mar 2024

I loved this experience! The tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable! She was very kind and had a book full of information about sumo. She also answered dozens of our questions with detailed informative answers. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who would want to see a sumo practice and/or learn more about sumo!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you very much! We are glad you enjoyed our sumo culture. We hope you will enjoy the matches next time!

The sumo training was...

Karla_P, Feb 2024

The sumo training was great! but the host who was supposed to meet us as some point, left the whole group, it wasn´t there, so we had to call. Thanks to some japanese people who were on the group, knew the language we were able to get there.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you very much for taking part in our tour. We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the lack of information about the meeting time, which is 15 minutes before the start time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We have made improvements to the "Meeting & Pickup" section so that the meeting time will be clearly indicated. Thank you very much for your kind words about our morning sumo practice. For that reason, we are very sorry about this incident. If you have a chance, we would be happy if you could join us and experience the improvements. If you send us a message regarding this matter, we will be happy to serve you. Thank you very much for your suggestion, and we will continue to reflect your feedback to make our tours even better.

Sumo training

Thomas_B, Feb 2024

Excellent tour and highlight of our stay in Tokyo. Naomi was warm and friendly and was happy to answer the 20+ questions our group had both before and after the training. Thank you Naomi!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you for taking part in our tour. We are very encouraged by your warm and positive words. All of our staff will continue to make every effort to please you in the future. Thank you very much!

Disappointing

Ella_I, Feb 2024

Disappointed with the tour in general. Meeting place instructions were perfect followed by a 10 minute walk to the stable. Once there, we were directed to a sitting area and that was it… sitting and watching practice for 1-1/2 hours. But we decided to leave before that time as our tour guide said that’s all that was scheduled. Not what I was looking for.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you for contacting us. We are very sorry that your tour was not as you had expected. This tour is not a show, but a rare experience where you can observe real athletes practicing up close and take pictures with the wrestlers after the practice. We will improve the display of the advertisement so that there is no misunderstanding. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that the rest of your trip to Japan will be a good time.

An up clise look.

Andy_R, Jan 2024

An up close look at these amazing athletes. The tour was well organized and the hosts were very helpful and informative.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for your warm words. It is an encouragement to our guides. We will do our best to make the tour even more enjoyable for our guests and look forward to seeing you again when the opportunity arises

Sumo Up Close

Dennis_A, Dec 2023

If you like and respect athletics this is a great event. The tradition and hard work these wrestlers embody is on full display. You don’t need to have a background on sumo to appreciate what you will see. The guides provide enough context for anyone to pickup an understanding of the sport.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you for your participation. We are glad you enjoyed Japanese culture. We will continue to make every effort to make Japanese culture easy to understand and comfortable for foreign guests. We look forward to welcoming you again

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