Journey to Experience Sumo Culture in Sumida Ward, Tokyo – Sumo Stable Morning Practice Viewing Edition

Sumida Ward is home to 14 sumo stables where wrestlers live and train together. The tour offers a special experience of visiting different sumo stables, depending on the time.

Each day of hard sumo training starts at 7am. The 'butskari-geiko' (impact training), where wrestlers are divided into offense and defense packs a sheer force that’s well worth the watch.

Top off your viewing of hard training with a much-awaited meal. This tour includes a chance to eat “chanko” hot pot alongside the stable master. Join the stars of the sumo world in this rare and up close moment.

“Chanko” is the word for meals served in the sumo stable. The sheer volume needed for meals in the sumo stable makes hot pots a common option and part of essential mealtimes needed to build their ideal physique.

This stable is one where wrestles take turns as “chanko-ban”, the one responsible for cooking. Flavor profiles are open, often made with a broth using salt, soy sauce, conssome or even Chinese stock flavoring.

The stable master and wrestlers answer questions from participants, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere during the meal. When on the tour its no doubt, you can see the sheer satisfaction in the food and experience just by looking.

Since practice is a critical time for wrestlers, considerate behavior like keeping conversations low is essential. Also, photography rules vary by stable, so it's best to check in advance.

Sumida River, Tokyo's iconic river, is a 23.5-kilometer-long stretch that flows into Tokyo Bay. Along this river, Ryogoku and Asakusa developed as some of the most bustling areas of Edo (the old name for Tokyo).

Cruise the Sumida River aboard the “Galleon”. Launch with a view of Tokyo Mizumachi shopping street along the waterfront as the boat navigates the waterways.

Once past the water gate and onto the Sumida River, the landscape opens up, enveloped in a pleasant breeze. The bridgers glitter in beauty over the Sumida River. Depending on the route, the tour might extend to the Kanda River, where many 'yakatabune' (traditional Japanese houseboats for parties) are moored.

This tour allows you to view areas that were once the central hubs of Edo from the water. It's a chance to rediscover the beauty of Tokyo, often referred to as the 'city of water.'

Meet your guide for the walking tour along the banks of the Sumida River. The tour delves into all the loveable highlights of the Ryogoku area, one of the centers of Edo and a sacred place for sumo.

The first destination visited is 'Kyu-Yasuda Garden,' a Japanese garden from the Edo period. It is said to have been constructed during the Genroku era (1688-1703) by Honjo Inabanokami Munesuke, the lord of the Kasama domain in Hitachi Province. In 1879, during the Meiji era, it became the property of Zenjiro Yasuda, the founder of the Yasuda financial conglomerate.

The park stands as a true urban oasis, replete with beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons, like fresh greenery in early summer and autumn leaves.

Next up is a visit to the Sword Museum, located just north of Kyu-Yasuda Garden. This spot is affiliated with the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Japanese swords and promoting sword culture.

Japanese swords are more than mere weapons, but also pieces whose sheer craft and artistry garner high regard and worldwide accalim. A visit here allows you to see the pieces up close under gorgeous light and display, showcasing their intricate “hamon” or blade designs and patterns.

In grand sumo, the Japanese sword is also a symbol of authority. The highest-ranking wrestlers, Yokozuna, are accompanied by a sword-bearing wrestler, known as 'tachi-mochi,' when entering the ring. The ties between 'Grand Sumo' and 'Japanese swords' are inseparable.

Finally, the imposing Ryogoku Kokugikan, the venue for grand sumo tournaments, comes into view. This sacred sumo site, capable of accommodating over 10,000 spectators, has been the stage for numerous historic and memorable bouts.

Here the guide will stop in front of the Kokugikan with panels and other materials to share more details pertaining to sumo. After interacting with sumo wrestlers at the sumo stable, most guests are buzzing with a newly deepened interest in the sport while listening to the guide.

After passing through Kokugikan Street, dotted with statues of sumo wrestlers and handprints of past Yokozuna, the tour's final stop is at the Ekoin temple. It was originally established in 1657 following a great fire in Edo to mourn and conduct services for those who perished without known identities or relatives.

Ekoin Temple has a deep connection with sumo wrestling. During the Edo period, Kanjinsumo, a sumo event held to raise funds for public social projects, was conducted in spots across the capital, and the first sumo match at Ekoin Temple was held in 1768.

1833 launched the year when sumo tournaments became a regular event at this temple, continuing twice a year in spring and autumn until the Ryogoku Kokugikan was built in 1909. These events are considered the precursor to modern grand sumo tournaments.

The Chikara-zuka is a large monument erected in 1936 by the Sumo Association, located within the temple grounds. Even today, new sumo wrestlers visit to pray for strength, and if you're lucky, you might encounter sumo wrestlers at this especially sacred place.

Ready for a tour? In this journey you’ll have the exclusive chance to observe morning practice at a sumo stable and hop on a cruise to enjoy the highlights of Ryogoku, a mecca for sumo. The experience of interacting with sumo stable masters and wrestlers is particularly precious, sure to become a lifelong memory.

Be sure to check out the secondary tour, “Journey to the Mecca of Sumo in Sumida, Tokyo – Sumo and Show” where you can learn the basics of sumo culture through show viewings and similar experiences. It’s a great read to see even deeper into the world of sumo.