Experience Sumo in Japan
Everything you need to know to get a ringside seat at this 1,500 year-old sport of clashing titans.
In this Guide:
How to see the Sumo Grand Tournament
How to see Sumo Training Sessions
Sumo Experiences in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, or Fukuoka
Brief History of Sumo
Sumo Rankings
Rules & Regulations
Sumo FAQs
The Grand Sumo Tournament is organised by the official Japan Sumo Association.
Tickets to see tournament matches at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo can be purchased at the official JSA website.
Navigating the website, payment, and ticket collection can be tricky however. If you’d like we can purchase your ticket on your behalf for a small fee – get in touch with our team.
How to see the Sumo Grand Tournament
How to see Sumo Training Sessions
Sumo Training Stables
Sumo wrestlers dedicate their entire life to the sport and adhere to strict daily training regimes. The best way to get up close and personal is to visit a morning training session held at one of the many Sumo ‘stables’ across the country.
These training sessions take you behind the scenes where you’ll have a front row seat to observe not only wrestling but the nuanced traditions of how the sport and the space is conducted.
We’ve partnered with several stables across Japan to craft training observation experiences across the country.
Yearly Sumo Schedule
The first thing to know about experiencing the national sport of Japan is that matches and training sessions move all around the country throughout the year. Be sure to check the timings below when planning your visit.
Tokyo: December-February, April-June, August-October
Osaka: March
Nagoya: July
Fukuoka: November
Below you’ll find our sumo training experiences in these cities throughout the year.
Sumo Experiences
Observe ringside at a morning sumo match, explore the inner workings of a stable, or share an oversized chanko nabe meal with the wrestlers in these deeper experiences across Japan.
Tokyo
December–February
April–June
August–October
Osaka
March Only
Nagoya
October Only
Fukuoka
November Only
Dive deeper into Sumo
Learn more about the sport’s unique history, the current rules and regulations, and countless other cultural explorations that will help enrich your understanding of sumo.
Sumo Ranking
Learn the different divisions of sumo wrestlers and how sumo wrestlers can increase their rank.
Rules, Regulations, and Techniques
Learn the different divisions of sumo wrestlers and how sumo wrestlers can increase their rank with our guide.
Sumo Frequently Asked Questions
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Sumo Wrestling training and matches take place in Tokyo December-February, April–June, August-October.
Outside these times, the wrestlers will be in:
Osaka: March
Nagoya: July
Fukuoka: November -
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Yes. However to maintain the wrestlers focus, attendees must observe the training in silence, so the experiences may not be suitable for young kids.
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