Discover Sumo Culture, History, and the January Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo! Experience the excitement of Japan's national sport up close! Join an English-guided walking tour through historic Ryogoku, visiting landmarks connected to sumo's rich history and traditions. Your guide will share stories and tips to help you enjoy the matches even more. Then, take your seat at the January Grand Sumo Tournament in Ryogoku Kokugikan and feel the energy as the wrestlers clash in the ring.
Options
Walking tour and 2nd Floor B-class Chair Seat
Walking tour and 2nd Floor C-class Chair Seat
The Highlight
Meeting point: JR Ryogoku Station West Gate *Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start time.
Seat Options:
2nd Floor B-Class Chair Seat Meeting Time: 12:45 PM | Tour Starts: 1:00 PM
Includes: English-speaking guide Admission ticket (Chair B seat) English sumo brochure with cultural insights Official banzuke (sumo wrestler ranking sheet) Ryogoku walking tour (approx. 1.5 hours) Personal earphone guide system Guided sumo tournament viewing inside Kokugikan Arena
2nd Floor C-Class Chair Seat Meeting Time: 12:15 PM | Tour Starts: 12:30 PM
Includes: English-speaking guide (walking tour only) Admission ticket (Chair C seat) English sumo brochure with cultural insights Official banzuke (sumo wrestler ranking sheet) Ryogoku walking tour (approx. 1.5 hours) Free/self-guided sumo tournament viewing inside Kokugikan Arena *Note: Earphone guide system and live commentary during the matches are not included in this option.
The Experience
Step into the world of sumo with a guided walking tour and live Grand Sumo tournament experience in Tokyo’s historic Ryogoku district!
Your English-speaking guide will lead you through iconic local landmarks—including Ekoin Temple, Kyu-Yasuda Teien Gardens, and the Japanese Sword Museum (on 12th and 18th: Kira Residence Historical Site).
After the walk, your guide will escort you into Ryogoku Kokugikan, visit the on-site Sumo Museum, and guide you directly to your reserved seat.
Choose Your Viewing Style:
Chair B Seat (Fully Guided Viewing): Includes an earphone guide system with live match commentary by your guide throughout the tournament. Learn the rituals, rules, and wrestler backgrounds as the action unfolds in the ring.
Chair C Seat (Independent Viewing): Includes the guided walking tour, venue entry, and seat escort. Once seated, enjoy the tournament at your own pace without live commentary or earphones.
Feel the excitement as the wrestlers clash in the sacred ring, surrounded by the powerful cheers and electrifying energy of the crowd. Experience the dramatic tradition of Japan’s national sport up close!
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
Languages Spoken by Guide On-site
- English
Language in Printed Materials (Booklet)
- English
Itinerary
- Meeting Point: Ryogoku Station West Exit Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the departure time to check in with our staff. If you arrive after your departure time, you will not be able to join the tour and may not receive your admission ticket.
- Start at Ryogoku Station Immerse yourself in the world of Sumo with this unique tour! You'll start your journey at Ryogoku Station, where your guide will lead you on a fascinating walk through the Ryogoku district.
- Visit Eko-in Temple Visit Eko-in Temple, a historic Buddhist temple deeply connected to sumo. For over a century, these sacred grounds hosted Tokyo’s main sumo tournaments, commemorated by the “Chikara-zuka” (Mound of Strength) — where wrestlers still come to pray for power and success. Founded in 1657, the temple remains a peaceful place that reflects the spiritual heart of Japan’s national sport.
- Stroll through Kyu-Yasuda Garden Take a peaceful walk through Kyu-Yasuda Garden, a traditional Japanese garden with a pond, teahouse, and lush greenery. Designed in the Edo period, its central pond rises and falls with the tides of the nearby Sumida River — a beautiful reminder of old Tokyo’s harmony with nature.
- Explore the Japanese Sword Museum Step inside to admire authentic samurai katana, armor, and centuries-old blades right beside the garden. (On Mondays, when closed, the tour visits the historic Kira Residence / 47 Ronin site instead.)
- Enter Ryogoku Kokugikan Arrive at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the home of sumo wrestling. Your guide will give you your sumo ticket and explain how to find your seat and enjoy the matches.
- Watch the Grand Sumo Tournament Feel the excitement of the Grand Sumo Tournament from your A, B or C class chair seat. Experience the power, rhythm, and energy of Japan’s national sport as top wrestlers compete in the sacred ring.
- Things to Enjoy Inside Ryogoku Kokugikan Beyond the matches, there’s plenty to enjoy inside Ryogoku Kokugikan. Visit the Sumo Museum, shop for exclusive sumo goods, and take photos at sumo-themed spots. You can also try local favorites like chanko-nabe (sumo hot pot), yakitori, and snacks sold inside the venue — perfect for a full sumo experience.
- 16:00The most exciting bouts — including the Makuuchi Dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony and top division matches — take place from around 3:40 PM to 6:00 PM.
- 18:00The tournament ends around 6:00 PM. Participants are free to leave at their own convenience.
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
Ticket Information:
- Children up to 3 years of age may join but must sit on the lap of a parent or guardian during the event. Visitors 4 years old and up must have an admission ticket.
- The specific seat locations or seat numbers cannot be chosen.
- An original paper ticket is required for entry. Your guide will hand it to you on the day of the tour -- please make sure to receive it before entering the venue.
- Re-entry is allowed only once once you entered the venue.
Meeting Time and Check-in:
- The tour start time shown in your booking is the actual departure time. Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the start time to check in with our staff.
- If you arrive late, you will not be able to join the tour or receive your ticket.
- Tickets can only be picked up at the designated time on your reserved day - no other dates or times are available, and we cannot take responsibility for missed pick-ups. Please be sure to arrive on time.
Important Information:
- Due to operational constraints, we are unable to accommodate patrons in wheelchairs with this product. If you have special needs, please contact us and although we cannot promise, we will do our best to coordinate with Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium.
- You are free to leave the venue at any time after the match ends.
- Eating and drinking are allowed in the seating area and snack selling stalls are found inside the stadium.
- Seats for guests within the same booking will be arranged as close together as possible, though parties may occasionally be separated due to venue seating configurations (such as aisle placements or row layouts). If your group booked tickets under separate reservations, please contact us in advance so we can attempt to seat you together.
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes as this tour involves a moderate amount of walking. In case of heavy rain or other inclement weather, the walking tour portion may be canceled. You will still receive your Sumo Tournament ticket and can explore the museum and stadium on your own.
- Please be at the meeting point on time. Late arrivals may miss the tour and forfeit their tickets.
Important Booking Information
- Please note that you may need to wait to be seated if one of the following events is underway: a sumo match, a speech by the Sumo Association (on the last tournament day), the ring 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 cases, please wait until the event concludes before proceeding to your spectator seating.
- Suitcases and other large pieces of luggage cannot be brought into the seating area. Please store your luggage in advance at another location (e.g., coin lockers) or at your accommodation.
- Access to the 2nd-floor seating area primarily requires using stairs, and lift assistance is not available for this tour.
- Eating and drinking are allowed in the seating area. Popular chanko and yakitori will be sold in the large hall on the first basement floor, but please consume the chanko inside the hall.
Admission
- Visitors 4 years old and up must have an admission ticket.
- Re-entry is allowed only once (you will receive an ultraviolet stamp on your forearm).
- Lost admission tickets or exchange tickets will not be accepted. Re-issuance of tickets is not possible.
- A physical paper ticket is strictly required for entry. Digital vouchers, mobile confirmation screens, or QR codes issued by booking platforms cannot be used to enter Ryogoku Kokugikan. Your guide will hand you the original paper ticket in person at the meeting point on the day of the tour.
Eating and drinking
- Eating and drinking are allowed in the seating area.
- Food and beverages will be sold at the concession stand. Please note that food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, brought from outside are not allowed in the Kokugikan. Kindly purchase food and beverages at the concession stand inside the arena. You will be happy to know that the prices of the items sold inside are pretty much similar to those found in any place in Tokyo.
Others
- Please refrain from waiting around the venue for rikishi (sumo wrestlers) to enter or exit the arena, as it may cause inconvenience to nearby residents.
- No parking is available.
- Spectators are not allowed to watch the matches from seats other than their assigned ones.
- Please set your cell phone to silent mode and refrain from talking on it while in the audience.
- Please avoid obstructing the view of others when displaying cheering banners or towels.
- Throwing cushions is strictly prohibited as it may cause injury or other issues.
- Guests who arrive late for the designated meeting time will not be able to join the tour or receive their tickets.
Cancellation Policy
- Non-refundable (0% refund)
Location
Meeting Point Info
Redeem Point Info
