[Coming in May 2023!] Enjoy Watching Powerful Sumo Wrestling at Ryogoku Kokugikan!
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There will be a lecture before the tournament, which will help first-timers understand the sport. How about trying an iconic sumo wrestler's meal after watching the powerful match at Ryogoku Kokugikan?
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At GTN, our mission is "Making Your Stay in Japan Great". We offer diverse solutions to support foreign nationals and foster a cross-cultural society. Through addressing social issues, we strive to create an inclusive environment that enables individuals to live their lives to the fullest, no matter where they are in the world.
Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport.
In Japan, sumo matches are shown on TV, but for people from overseas, it is not very common and they may wonder what kind of sport it is when they see the wrestlers colliding with each other.
Wrestlers are evaluated on a ranking chart called "banzuke," and each wrestler trains daily to reach the highest level, and the tournament called "basho" is where they demonstrate the results of their efforts.
Let's go see this fierce tournament!
*The May 2023 Sumo Tour has ended.
Please see this article for information on the September 2023 Sumo Tour.
Learn About Sumo Wrestling with a Lecture First!
Before the tournament, an English-speaking interpreter familiar with sumo will give a 20-minute lecture on the sport at the nearby Ryogoku View Hotel for Sunrise Tour participants.
You will head to the Ryogoku Kokugikan after the lecture.
During the tour, you will receive a copy of the Sumo booklet "The Sumo (in English)" and a rank list (one per person). Bring them with you and enjoy the sumo matches!
Let's Watch the Sumo Tournament!
On the day of the tournament, the matches will be held in order starting with the lower-ranked wrestlers' matches, so the higher-level matches will be held later on in the evening. The general schedule of the sumo tournament is as follows.
Around 3:40 p.m. Opening of the Makuuchi and Yokozuna ring-entering ceremonies (not held when Yokozuna is absent). Popular sumo wrestlers circle the ring wearing colorful ceremonial mawashi (sumo belt). This is when the atmosphere of the sumo arena suddenly brightens up.
Around 4:00 p.m. Makuuchi Bout: The makuuchi wrestlers, the highest rank in the sumo world, appear on the ring. Fierce battles unfold.
Around 6:00 p.m. Yumitori Ceremony: The winner's dance ceremony is held at the end of all tournaments.
After the Yumitori Ceremony, the tournament ends. *Tour ends here.
The Ryogoku Kokugikan has a Sumo Museum, souvenir stores, etc., where you can have fun in between matches.
Let's Eat Chanko Hot Pot at Ryogoku Station!
The tour will end at the end of the tournament, but don't you want to try Chanko hot pot, an iconic hot pot meal for Sumo wrestlers?
[What is Chanko Hot Pot?]
Chanko hot pot is a dish known as "chanko-nabe" and is often eaten by sumo wrestlers. It was first made as the main dish for communal living, as it can be made in large batches and does not require serving. It became popular among the wrestlers because of its ideal nutritional balance.
You can find many chanko hot pot restaurants in the basement hall of Ryogoku Kokugikan and near Ryogoku Station. Have a taste of this traditional dish once!
Here is an example of a chanko hot pot restaurant recommended by the GTN staff!
Chanko Kirishima: https://j-kirishima.com/c/index.html
This is a chanko hot pot restaurant directly from the sumo stable of former ozeki-ranked wrestler Michinoku Oyakata. They serve a light and flavorful chanko hot pot.
The Ryogoku Kokugikan is the only place in Tokyo where you can watch sumo wrestling.
Sumo tournaments are scheduled to be held in Tokyo in 2023 on the following schedule.
May tournament: May 14 (first day) - May 28 (last day)
September tournament: September 10 (first day) - September 24 (last day)
Enjoy Sumo Tournament with Sunrise Tour♪
You can enjoy watching sumo wrestling at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
If you are interested in watching sumo wrestling, this tour is for you!
Course:
Sumo Watching Tour for Tokyo Tournament 1st floor Mass C seats/2nd floor chairs B seats (price depends on seats)
*Tours for May 14 - 28 are now on sale! Click here for tour details and online reservation (Seats are limited, book early!)
*1st floor Mass C seats plan for viewing up close (max. 4 people)
https://www.sunrise-tours.jp/en/plan/detail/130SUETB001JG314S/
*2nd floor chairs B seats plan for a reasonable price
https://www.sunrise-tours.jp/en/plan/detail/130SUETB001JG313S/
Details
An English-speaking interpreter and guide who has extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling will give a lecture on the sport before the tournament, and then you will watch the Japanese national sport, sumo wrestling.
All tour participants will receive a copy of the Sumo booklet "The Sumo (in English)" and a ranking chart as a souvenir.The Sumo booklet provides a simple explanation of the origins of sumo, the rules of the bouts, how to read the banzuke, and how to enjoy it as a ceremonial event.
Make your Sunrise Tour reservations at GTN when you arrive at Haneda Airport!
At GTN Haneda Airport Garden Branch, we can book and arrange your Sunrise Tour.
Feel free to visit us!
At GTN, our mission is "Making Your Stay in Japan Great". We offer diverse solutions to support foreign nationals and foster a cross-cultural society. Through addressing social issues, we strive to create an inclusive environment that enables individuals to live their lives to the fullest, no matter where they are in the world.
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