Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament Viewing Tour with Chair Seating (May/Sep 2026)

Overview

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, on this tour guided by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter knowledgeable about sumo wrestling. Watch sumo, Japan's national sport, from comfortable reserved seating!

Highlights

• Watch sumo, Japan's national sport, from comfortable reserved seating
• All tour participants will receive "The Sumo," a booklet about sumo (in English)
• Reserve with a Rakuten account to earn or use Rakuten Points for each booking!

Important Information

• Itinerary

  Meet at Ryogoku View Hotel (not Ryogoku Kokugikan)

  — If a B-class Chair Seating option is booked: Start 13:50, end 14:00

  — If an A-class or S-class Chair Seat option is booked: Start 12:30, end 12:40

  Please show your reservation confirmation sheet at reception
• Access to Ryogoku View Hotel:

— 1 min on foot from Ryogoku Station (JR Sobu Line)

— 7 min on foot from Ryogoku Station (Toei Oedo Line)

• After exiting from the JR Ryogoku Station West Exit ticket gate, cross the pedestrian crossing immediately on the left and it will be just ahead (opposite direction of Ryogoku Kokugikan)
• Please arrive by 10 minutes before departure; the tour will walk to Ryogoku Kokugikan

Lecture About Sumo

— If a B-class Chair Seating option is booked: Start 14:00, end 14:20

— If an A-class or S-class Chair Seat option is booked: Start 12:40, end 13:00

• Duration: 20 minutes
• The National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter will conduct a lecture about sumo at Ryogoku View Hotel.

Transfer

• Transportation: On Foot
• Head to Ryogoku Kokugikan

Watch Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan

— If a B-class Chair Seating option is booked: Start 14:30, end 18:00

— If an A-class or S-class Chair Seat option is booked: Start 13:10, end 18:00

• Duration: 210 minutes or 290 minutes
• Enjoy the thrilling sumo matches:

— If a B-class Chair Seating option is booked: from 2nd floor B-class seating

— If an A-class Chair Seat option is booked: from 2nd floor A-class seating

— If an S-class Chair Seat option is booked: from 2nd floor S-class seating

• If a "Light Snack & Cheering Goods” option is booked: customers will be provided a light snack (Kokugikan specialty yakitori [grilled chicken skewer] and drink) and a cheering towel (1 per person).

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.

• Not available on the last tournament day due to award ceremony preparations for the concluding program.

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. Check out the exhibit during a break in the sumo matches.

3. There are shops on the 1st and 2nd floors of the arena. Enjoy shopping for fans, stationery, sweets, and other sumo-related merchandise.

• Bringing food and drinks including alcohol into Kokugikan is prohibited.

4. Visitors can also enjoy chanko hot pot, the traditional meal of sumo wrestlers, at the large hall on the arena basement floor (additional charges apply).

• All tour participants will receive "The Sumo," a booklet about sumo (in English); and Banzuke-hyo, a table of rankings, as a gift (1 per person).

Tour Ends

• Start 18:00
• Please head to your next destination on your own after the tour.
• The whole area around Ryogoku Station is filled with the atmosphere of the Grand Sumo Tournament. There are also many chanko hot pot restaurants run by former sumo wrestlers in this area.

Min. pax number to book tour: 1

Min. pax number to run tour: 1

Remarks

Operation Conditions/Tour Conditions

The number of customers for 1 group booking for this tour is 1-19. If booking for a group of 20 or more customers, please note that the group will be divided.

Description

1. 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 reserved seating (chair seating).

Seating Map

2. 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.

3. There will only be booking reception for the 2026 May and September tournaments, and official booking confirmations will be from February 2026. Thank you for your understanding.

About Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism:

This tour promotes environment(eco)-friendly efforts and cross-cultural understanding as stated under Sunrise Tours' Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for responsible travel, and urge one and all to become responsible travelers. Please check the following page for details: http://jtbgmt.com/en/g-web/sdgs

© Nihon Sumo Kyokai all rights reserved.

Total

19,000 JPY

Rakuten Point:

+172

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