Tokyo Sumo Festival: Your Hands-On Pass to Japan's National Sport

Tokyo Sumo Festival in Ginza

A World of Fans, a Handful of Seats: The Sumo Challenge
Tokyo Sumo Festival: Concept and Features
Five Ways to Step into the World of Sumo: The Hands-on Experience
- Morning Training and Purifying the Dohyo with Salt
- Test Your Strength Against a Rikishi
- Audience Etiquette: Cheering, Rituals, and Rules
- The Perfect Souvenir: A Picture with the Rikishi
- From Rules to Anecdotes: Decoding the World of Sumo
Seat Types and Reservations at Tokyo Sumo Festival
Experience the World of Sumo at Tokyo Sumo Festival

A World of Fans, a Handful of Seats: The Sumo Challenge

Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena in Tokyo. Photo by Pixta

Sumo, the national sport of Japan, boasts a history of over 1,500 years, with origins in shrine rituals to pray for good harvests. While it became a form of commercialized entertainment during the Edo period (1603-1868), it retained its spiritual core, which is still visible in the purification rituals performed by the rikishi (sumo wrestlers) at every bout even today.

As shown by the success of events such as the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall (October 15 - 19, 2025), sumo is gathering more attention than ever from around the world.

Despite this rising international interest, getting tickets to watch a sumo tournament in Japan is extremely difficult. The scarcity of venues, the limited seating, the fact that tournaments occur only at certain times of the year, and the fact that tickets sell out in seconds all contribute to this challenge.

Tokyo Sumo Festival is a facility located in Ginza where you can learn about sumo through an interactive show featuring former sumo wrestlers. As a visitor, you can actually experience elements of sumo training and even challenge the wrestlers to a bout to feel their strength firsthand!

By visiting this facility, you gain valuable insight into the intricate traditions, rituals, and cultural background of Japan’s national sport.

Tokyo Sumo Festival: Concept and Features

Opened in September 2025, Tokyo Sumo Festival is located on the first basement floor of Ginza INZ 1. This central spot is perfectly positioned within walking distance from key attractions, including the Ginza district, Tsukiji Market, Tokyo Station, and the Imperial Palace.

The facility offers a fun, interactive sumo show moderated entirely in English by native speakers well acquainted with sumo culture.

While the venue provides a selection of drinks and snacks—such as takoyaki, karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and fried potatoes—the experience is truly focused on the captivating show, which is so engaging that you'll have little time for eating!

Tokyo Sumo Festival was established to provide international guests with a casual, hands-on space to engage with sumo culture—an experience that traditional, official tournaments cannot offer.

Supporting the Second Career of Rikishi Wrestlers

Beyond the spectacle, the founders were also motivated by a problem rarely seen by casual sumo observers: the second career of rikishi wrestlers. Like athletes in many other demanding sports, trained rikishi can only remain active for a limited number of years, with many having to pursue new professional paths after the age of 30 or 35.

Working at a facility like the Tokyo Sumo Festival gives these former wrestlers a chance to continue promoting the charm of sumo. Their work here sits at the intersection of entertainment and cultural education.

Tokyo Sumo Festival currently employs five former rikishi. Each wrestler possesses a distinct personality and unique charm—ranging from humor and gentleness to sheer charisma—giving audiences plenty of reasons to cheer for them.

4 Shows per Day, Moderated in English

The Tokyo Sumo Festival features four daily shows (at 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, and 20:30), all of which are moderated in English. The content is explained in a fun and engaging manner, covering everything from the history of sumo and how to cheer for your favorite rikishi to terminology for basic training moves and winning methods.

There are five native English-speaking moderators at Tokyo Sumo Festival, who facilitate the shows in turns. Through close teamwork and constant exchange of ideas, they have perfected the method of explaining the core concepts of sumo culture.

The moderators' role is to make it easy for guests to enjoy their experience and receive answers to all their sumo-related questions.

Five Ways to Step into the World of Sumo: The Hands-on Experience

The sumo show lasts for approximately 90 minutes. During this time, you won't just be cheering from the audience—you'll also have the chance to climb into the dohyo ring several times for a hands-on sumo experience!

Here are five things you can experience during the show at the Tokyo Sumo Festival:

1. Morning Training and Purifying the Dohyo with Salt

As the moderator explains, morning practice is an essential part of a sumo wrestler’s daily schedule. The two wrestlers will demonstrate key training moves, and you will then be invited into the dohyo to try them firsthand and feel their physical effect.

You will also participate in the sacred pre-bout ritual. Rikishi sprinkle salt to purify the dohyo, and you will have several chances during the show to perform this solemn, purifying gesture yourself.

2. Test Your Strength Against a Rikishi

After gaining insight into the winning moves and rules of sumo, you get the chance to put your strength to the test against a rikishi! Donning a sumo costume, you'll enter the ring for a square and fair match.

According to the courageous MATCHA staff who challenged the rikishi, they couldn't move the wrestlers an inch, despite pushing with all their might!

This is an experience you truly have to try for yourself to enjoy the unique fun and thrills of the encounter.

3. Audience Etiquette: Cheering, Rituals, and Rules

Besides the physical activities, you will also be taught the essential etiquette for watching sumo live, as well as the proper ways to cheer for your favorite rikishi. The rules of audience conduct are rooted in the same rituals as the sport itself.

From learning the meaning of "Dosukoi" to understanding when cushions may be thrown onto the dohyo in protest, you will master the full sumo viewer's experience. This preparation is critical for attending an official bout, ensuring you avoid the embarrassment of cultural faux pas.

4. The Perfect Souvenir: A Picture with the Rikishi

The show concludes with a fantastic photo opportunity: you'll have the chance to step onto the dohyo and take a commemorative picture alongside the two rikishi!

This photo will be a precious keepsake of your unique experience. Of course, feel free to share your memorable moment on social media!

Moreover, every guest receives a tote bag and a lovely tenugui towel featuring the Tokyo Sumo Festival logo. You can use the tenugui to bind around your head during the show, wave it when cheering, or for various other purposes!

5. From Rules to Anecdotes: Decoding the World of Sumo

Last but not least, the show at the Tokyo Sumo Festival provides invaluable insights into the world of sumo.

The detailed explanations cover everything from the sport's history, rules, and winning techniques, to prohibited actions on the dohyo (such as punching or poking), and fascinating anecdotes from sumo history.

You would never receive such detailed cultural and technical explanations at an official tournament. This is precisely what makes the Tokyo Sumo Festival a unique and essential experience, especially for those new to the world of sumo.

Seat Types and Reservations at Tokyo Sumo Festival

Picture courtesy of Tokyo Sumo Festival

Guests at the Tokyo Sumo Festival can choose from three seating options:

1. VIP Seats: Located in the front row, these premium seats offer maximum proximity, placing you just two meters from the rikishi and the dohyo for an unmatched, up-close experience.

2. Regular Seats: Situated from the second row onward, this standard seating provides an excellent elevated view of the dohyo and the match dynamics.

3. Child Seats: For safety and comfort, specialized seating is available for children, beginning from the second row of the venue.

For details regarding seat pricing and reservations, please visit the official website.

The Tokyo Sumo Festival features two venues, each equipped with its own dohyo ring. These venues are available for private bookings and events. To inquire about availability, pricing offers, and details for hosting your private function, please contact the facility.

Experience the World of Sumo at Tokyo Sumo Festival

The Tokyo Sumo Festival is a facility designed as a celebration of sumo culture. It offers both an easy-to-follow introduction to Japan's national sport and a firsthand experience of rikishi training and bouts.

Since the show lasts only about 90 minutes, it is easy to fit into any central Tokyo itinerary exploring the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station area, Ginza, and Tsukiji. Furthermore, its location on the first basement floor of Ginza INZ 1 means you have plenty of surrounding restaurants and cafes, making it simple to take a convenient break from sightseeing.

After the show, you can pick up souvenirs from the facility's shop, which stocks everything from sumo-themed T-shirts to Japanese craft items like chopsticks and fans.

While you are in Tokyo, do not miss this opportunity to take part in a show at the Tokyo Sumo Festival for a truly enriching cultural experience!

Tokyo Sumo Festival
Location: Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, Nishi 3 - 5 - 1 Ginza INZ 1, Floor B1 (Google Map)
Shows start at: 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 20:30
Official website: https://japan-sumo.jp/en/

Sponsored by Tokyo Sumo Festival
Written by Ramona Taranu