Ryogoku town walking tour (Optional - 2 hours)
Walking tour around Ryogoku, a sumo town.
13:00 - 15:00
Visit sumo related must-see spots.
1) Nomino Sukune Shrine
Visit this shinto shrine where the founder of sumo is enshrined. Learn from the guide how he instigated sumo 1500 years ago; how a ring entering ceremony is held here when a new grand champion (Yokozuna) comes into being; that Japan Sumo Association visits it to pray for a successful tournament 3 times a year.
2) Sumo stables
Visit a couple of sumo stables to learn where wrestlers live and train.
3) Hokusai Museum
Get acquainted with Hokusai, a great ukiyo-e (woodblock print) artist who left numerous artwork including the Great Wave off Kanagawa and Red Fuji.
4) Japanese-style garden (Kyu-Yasuda Gardens)
Learn from your guide how Japan was governed by samurai during the last shogunate period.
5) Japanese Sword Museum
Get familiar with Japanese swords, revered as the soul of samurai and artwork.
6) Edo Noren
Feel the atmosphere of old Edo (as Tokyo was called before). See a full-scale sumo ring. Learn from the guide so many stories about sumo observing the ring.
7) Kokugikan arena
See many colorful banners with wrestler's name written on each of them around the front gate. View the drum tower. See all the awards given to the grand champion. Visit the sumo museum.
Ryogoku kokugikan sumo arena (3 hours)
Grand Sumo Tournament Viewing
15:00 Enter the Kokugikan arena
15:40 Ring entering ceremonies by
– Makuuchi wrestlers
– Yokozuna (Grand champion)
16:00 Immerse yourself in sumo as you listen to the guide’s real time commentaries.
18:00 Tour ends.
Chanko restaurant (Optional)
Dinner at a chanko-nabe restaurant (optional)
18:00 -
Chanko-nabe is a Japanese hotpot dish commonly eaten by sumo wrestlers. The dish typically contains chicken broth soup, rich protein sources like chicken, fish, tofu, and vegetables. This nutrient dish is in the centerpiece of sumo wrestlers’ diet to gain weight and muscles to build their bodies. We will have dinner at a well known chanko-nabe restaurant.
