Tokyo Sumo Culture Tour with Chanko-Nabe Lunch in Ryogoku
Overview
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Drop in for a short visit at the famous stable, and look at the sumo stable from outside where sumo wrestlers live and train.
Nominosukune Shrine
Visit this shinto shrine where the founder of sumo is enshrined. Learn from the guide how he instigated sumo 1500 years ago; how the sumo rules have been refined to take a form as of now over years; 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.
Options
Tokyo Sumo Culture Tour with Chanko-Nabe Lunch in Ryogoku
What‘s Included
Chanko-nabe lunch
Alcoholic Beverages
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Actual sumo viewing like practice or matches
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
28 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great way to kickoff our first day in Tokyo
Victor A,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00More than just sumo. The sumo education was fascinating as was the overall leanings of Japan and the area. Our guide Jeff was very friendly and answered all our questions. The hotpot meal at the end was fantastic. Thank you
An amazing walking tour experience
C104CFadamv,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An absolutely incredible experience! Our guide Taka was a true gentleman who spoke perfect English, was so kind and had an amazing knowledge of history and the location. The lunch afterwards was also delicious. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone! Thanks so much. Taka!
Excursion to Ryogoku.
Michael E,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a very nice trip in the Ryogoku neighborhood during which we learned a lot about the history of the neighborhood and its connection to sumo sports. Also the subsequent food was very good.
Taka our guide was...
Kathy N,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Taka our guide was excellent. But our timing was tight - we knew we were btn sumo tournaments & wouldn't see any actual sessions, but then found out Sundays even the training facility tours were not open. Lovely lunch & other sights, but touring that day wasn't really worth the $$ & time.
Very nice tour. Would recommend.
Gleb G,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour guide was wonderful, experienced, knowledgeable, we had a great time with Jeff. Downside: museum was closed. Lunch was great.
Getting to know sumo!
normanm34,Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide for the day was Shizue (Sue). Sue was extremely knowledgeable and great fun to be with. She really took the time to get to know us personally which helped the flow of the tour. We chose this tour because it's about the history of sumo and Sue did not disappoint. We highly recommend this tour and Sue!
Sumo culture tour in Ryogoku
juanramonl817,May 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mr. taka very funny, very kind and very attentive trying to make us comfortable at all times, great professional and knowledgeable in the art of sumo
Very informative tour
Trek57573992176,May 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was really interesting, learned a lot about sumo and saw some good sights around the area they live and train in. We also were shown a few other sights around the area including a nice garden with a pond. Our guide Shizue was really nice and enthusiastic and she explained things very well. The lunch we had was great, had a lot of different elements to it and we can understand why the sumo wrestlers eat it as it's a very hearty meal. Overall a really nice experience and would recommend to anyone interested in sumo.
Deep dive beautiful walk of sumo history in Ryogoku
Boomer B,Mar 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was my two nephews and I first ever visit and this tour was a great experience! We had a private tour with Jeff who was kind, fun, and informative. Loved walking through Ryogoku and getting not just sumo history but town and artists history. Fun anecdotal stories, interesting sights and a fabulous lunch to top it off. Jeff was great and took/shared lots of photos for the three of us. I'd say the only drawback was the timing of our trip bc all the Sumo world was in Osaka for the tournament but that was just dumb luck, highly recommend
Fantastic Sumo experience!
David G,Mar 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Jeff was fantastic! Very knowledgeable, informative and personable. Highly recommend the tour in general and Jeff in particular.
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