Get Ready for Sumo: Pre-Match Tour for Ticket Holders

The May Grand Sumo Tournament 2024

Dates: May 13, 14, 20, 21, 23, 24

3-hour pre-sumo match tour designed for preparation. Let’s savor the world of sumo throughout the entire day, thanks to this tour and live sumo match.

Guide Fee 12,000 yen per group (within 6)

Schedule

11:00 AM: Meet at JR Ryogoku Station

• Please pay the guide fee of 12,000 yen in cash upon the meeting.

• Visit Edo NOREN *1 in the station.

11:40 AM: Stroll around Ryogoku-bashi Bridge*2

• Visit Ekoh-in Temple*3 and pass by Sumo Stables*4

12:30 PM: Lunch at a Chanko-nabe Restaurant*5

• Please cover your own meal expenses. The guide’s meal expenses are included in the guide fee.

1:30 PM: Visit the Nomino-Sukune Shrine*6

2:00 PM: Enter Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena

• The guide will conclude here. Please proceed to enter on your own. Enjoy your visit!
• Experience Makuuchi Division*7 Sumo Matches to Closing Match (4-hour viewing)

6:00 PM: The closing bout of the day finishes.

Sumo Tournament Schedule in Kokugikan

8:00 AM	Opening
8:35 AM	The matches start in the following order: Jonokuchi, Jonidan, Sandanme, and then Makushita
2:15 PM	Juryo Dohyo-iri ceremony
2:35 PM	Juryo matches begin
3:40 PM	Makuuchi Dohyo-iri ceremony
3:55 PM	Yokozuna Dohyo-iri ceremony
4:00 PM	Nakairi Intermission
4:10 PM	Makuuchi matches begin
5:55 PM	Bow-twirling ceremony marks the end of the day

Ticket Information

<Footnotes>

*1 Edo NOREN, adjacent to the station, recreates the atmosphere of an Edo-period town inside. At its heart lies a full-sized dohyo (sumo ring), making it a sight to behold.

*2 Ryogoku-bashi Bridge is a historic bridge located in Tokyo’s Ryogoku district. It spans the Sumida River and is known for its connection to sumo wrestling and the surrounding cultural attractions.

*3 Until the construction of Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena(former) in 1909, Ekoh-in Temple was the venue for biannual official sumo tournaments held in spring and autumn. This historical significance has earned Ekoh-in Temple a reputation as a sacred site of sumo wrestling. At this temple, there is a mound called ‘Chikarazuka‘ and a stone monument engraved to honor deceased sumo wrestlers.

*4 A sumo stable is where sumo wrestlers live and train together. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the premises, so on this tour, you will only pass by the entrance. There might be a chance to catch a glimpse of sumo wrestlers, but you won’t be able to see inside.

*5 Enjoy a traditional sumo wrestler’s meal, known as chanko-nabe, at a local restaurant, many are run by retired sumo wrestlers. Meal costs range from approximately 1,500 to 5,000 yen per person. You will make on-the-spot payments.

*6 The shrine where the god of sumo, Nomi no Sukune, is enshrined. There is a monument engraved with the names of successive Yokozuna (sumo grand champions).

*7 Makuuchi, the top division in sumo, showcasing the most skilled and prestigious wrestlers. The ranks below this include Juryo, Makushita, Sandanme, Jonidan, and Jonokuchi.