Tokyo Tournament: Grand Sumo Viewing Experience (2nd Floor B-class Chair Seat)

Experience Japan’s national sport up close at the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo!

This unique tour provides an exceptional opportunity to see powerful matches and ancient traditions that are missed on television. Enjoy the event from comfortable reserved seats as you learn about the intriguing world of sumo with a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter.

Your guide will discuss the history and rituals of sumo, including the ring-entering ceremony, the elaborate kesho-mawashi aprons, and the referee traditions dating back to the Sengoku period. You will gain insight into the sport’s cultural and spiritual importance while cheering alongside local fans.

Each participant will receive “The Sumo,” an English booklet filled with engaging facts and straightforward information about sumo rules, ranking tables (banzuke-hyo), and how to fully enjoy the matches.

Watch Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan: Time Schedule

• 15:40 – Ceremonial Ring Entrance of Makuuchi Wrestlers and Yokozuna (Grand Champion)
  • The Yokozuna ring entrance will not occur if no Yokozuna are present.
  As the wrestlers make their entrance, the audience erupts with enthusiasm, cheering for their favorites and energizing the arena.
• 16:00 – Makuuchi Division Sumo Matches Begin Watch the highlight of the day as top-ranked wrestlers engage in powerful bouts.
• 18:00 – Bow-Twirling Ceremony The day concludes with this final ceremonial performance, showcasing traditional elegance.

Things to Do

• Visit the arena entrance lobby to view championship flags and other prizes awarded to champion wrestlers. This area is also a favored photo opportunity.
  • Please note: The lobby will not be accessible on the final tournament day due to preparations for the award ceremony.
• Explore the Sumo Museum, which features significant items such as woodblock prints, folding screens, and ceremonial aprons (kesho-mawashi) from the Edo period. It’s a wonderful place to visit during intermissions.
• Visit the souvenir shops on the 1st and 2nd floors, which offer a variety of sumo-themed merchandise including fans, stationery, and sweets.
  • Please note that outside food or drinks, including alcohol, are not allowed in Kokugikan.
• Savor chanko hot pot, the traditional meal of sumo wrestlers, available at the large dining hall located on the basement floor of the arena.
  • Additional charges apply.

About Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism:

This tour supports eco-friendly initiatives and cross-cultural understanding as outlined in Sunrise Tours' Sustainable Development Goals. We encourage responsible travel and invite everyone to be mindful travelers. For further details, please visit: http://jtbgmt.com/en/g-web/sdgs.

Highlights

• Enjoy exciting sumo contests from your own reserved seating.
• Discover the fascinating history and customs of sumo with a guide fluent in English.
• Get special sumo memorabilia, such as a booklet and the official ranking list.

Itinerary

• Meet at Ryogoku View Hotel ※ The meeting location is not Ryogoku Kokugikan ※ Please show your reservation confirmation sheet at reception.
• Lecture About Sumo ※ The National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter will conduct a lecture about sumo at Ryogoku View Hotel. (Approx 20 minutes)
• <Walk to Ryogoku Kokugikan>
• Watch Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan (approx. 3 hours 30 min) ※ Enjoy the thrilling sumo matches from the 2nd floor B-class seating.
• Tour ends ※ 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 pots restaurants run by former sumo wrestlers in this area.

Price Details

Included

• National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
• "The Sumo" booklet (English)
• Banzuke-hyo
• Grand Sumo Tournament viewing ticket (2nd Floor B-Class Chair Seat)

Not included

• Expenses not mentioned

Important Information

Tour Information

Organizer (Planning & Operation)

JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.

License No: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agent (No. 1723)

Address: 2-3-14 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Agent (Sales)

H.I.S. Co., Ltd.

License No: No. 724 by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency

Min. pax number to book tour:1

Min. pax number to run tour:1

Contact (Sales Office)

Address: Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Central Park Bldg. 11F

6-13-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023 JAPAN

Tel:+81-70-1735-1547(10:00-18:00, Weekdays only)

Tour Operations Manager: Kenji Nagamine

(Responsible for transactions regarding this travel contract)

Terms and Conditions

Please ensure you read and understand the following documents before bookin

Purchase Notice

Booking and Operation Conditions

• Depending on the number of participants in your booking, the group may be divided. Seat locations cannot be selected or guaranteed.
• If the minimum number of participants (1) is not met by 4 days before the scheduled date, or due to other operational management circumstances, the tour on that date may be canceled.
• Participants may not join the tour partway through and may only join from the designated meeting location specified in advance.
• For any requests that require a response from the tour operator before departure, please write your request in the Remarks field and contact the operator directly.

Seating Information

• Customers will watch from the 2nd Floor B-class Chair Seat
• Seat designation is not available.
• Details of seat allocation will be provided on the day of the tour.
• Tours are conducted in groups of 1-19 customers. If booking for a group of 20 or more customers, please note that the group will be divided.
• 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 inside Kokugikan. Seating may be spread across the main, opposite, east, and west sides.

Children and Infants

• 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 separate seat, please make a booking at the child rate (typically for ages 4–11).
• Stroller storage is available on the 1st and 2nd floors. However, please note that the tour operator takes no responsibility for theft or damage in the arena.
• Strollers cannot be brought into the arena seating area.

Guests Using Wheelchairs

• For those participating in a wheelchair, please indicate this in the Remarks entry field when booking.
• Ryogoku Kokugikan’s wheelchair storage area is located on the 1st floor.
• Guests will need to move to the 2nd floor on their own or with the help of an accompanying group member.
• There are stairs and escalators going up and down between floors.
• Please note that the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter cannot provide physical assistance or help.

Luggage Policy

• Suitcases and other large pieces of luggage cannot be brought into the seating area.
• Baggage cannot be stored at Ryogoku View Hotel, the meeting location.
• Please make arrangements to store your luggage at another location (e.g., coin lockers) or at your accommodation before arrival.

Language Support

• The tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter.

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Reception Method

• At reception, please show your reservation confirmation sheet or e-mail (either a printed copy or digital version on your mobile device) to the staff.

Meeting / Pick-up Location

• Ryogoku View Hotel: [https://www.viewhotels.co.jp/ryogoku/](https://www.viewhotels.co.jp/ryogoku/)
• Customers who are late for the departure time will have their reservations canceled. Please give yourself plenty of time to arrive.

During the Tour

• Please note that you may have to wait to be seated if any of the following events are underway at the time:

• A sumo match
• A speech by the Sumo Association (on the first and the last tournament day)
• The ring entering the procession of the Makuuchi division wrestlers (dohyoiri)
• The ring entering the procession of the Yokozuna
• The ritual stomping ceremony (on the last tournament day)
• In such cases, please wait until the event has ended before proceeding to your seat.
• The National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter will not be able to provide explanations or other guidance during these events.

Spectator Etiquette

• If one of the events listed above (such as a match, speech, or ceremony) is in progress, please wait quietly until it concludes before taking your seat.
• Please respect arena rules and follow the guidance of the tour guide and staff throughout the event.

How to Use

Voucher will be sent via email. Please present the voucher at the designated location and exchange it for a printed ticket.

Cancellation Policy

• 11 or more day(s) before the activity date: 0% cancellation fee
• Less than 11 day(s) before the activity date: 100% cancellation fee