• Hakkaku-beya Sumo Stable - Stop by for a brief visit to the renowned stable and observe the sumo stable from the outside, where sumo wrestlers reside and train.

• Nominosukune Shrine - Explore this Shinto shrine dedicated to the founder of sumo. Discover from the guide how he initiated sumo 1500 years ago, how the sumo rules have evolved over the years, how a ring-entering ceremony is conducted here when a new grand champion (Yokozuna) is crowned, and that the Japan Sumo Association visits it to pray for a successful tournament three times a year.

• Ryogoku Kokugikan - Admire the sumo arena from the outside, a hub of sumo where the Grand Sumo tournaments are held three times annually. Learn from your guide numerous fascinating stories about this sumo-dedicated arena, including its overall structure, drum tower, and banners.

• Ryogoku Edo Noren - Experience the ambiance of old Edo (as Tokyo was formerly known). Observe a full-scale sumo ring. Gain insights from the guide about many sumo stories while examining the ring up close.

• Ekoin Temple - Visit the site of the sumo tournaments held during the Edo (samurai) period. Understand the social status of wrestlers and how the tournaments were conducted and appeared during the pre-modern era.

• Kasuganobeya - Tour the Kasugano stable, home to a Bulgarian-born wrestler. Observe the “wrestler-size” bicycles they use in their daily routines.

• Tomoegata Chanko - Enjoy a visit to one of the finest chanko-nabe restaurants in town. Relish this nutritious hot-pot dish, central to sumo wrestlers’ diet for gaining weight and muscle to build their bodies. Learn all about sumo from your guide while enjoying lunch.

• Chanko-nabe lunch

• Alcoholic beverages
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Actual sumo viewing like practice or matches

This small group tour with commentaries by a sumo expert guide gives you a chance to get to know all about sumo including its history / culture, and sumo wrestlers’ daily life. While you may or may not have a chance to see real sumo bouts during your stay in Japan, this tour will prime you with all the background knowledge to increase your joy of watching sumo, be it in Japan or back home.
The tour consists of two components.

1. Walking tour around Ryogoku, a sumo town.
   Visit sumo-related landmarks; learn how sumo started and developed over 1600 years. Look at sumo stables from outside where sumo wrestlers live and train. Learn from your knowledgeable guide how their life and career look like. Get answers to any sumo-related questions.

2. Lunch at a chanko-nabe restaurant
   Have lunch at one of the best chanko-nabe restaurants in Ryogoku.
   This nutrient hot-pot dish is in the centerpiece of sumo wrestlers’ diet to gain weight and muscles to build their bodies.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.