Find Your Favorite Wrestler at Morning Sumo Practice

Feel the tense atmosphere in the sumo stable the moment you step inside with your guide—something that clearly sets morning sumo practice apart from staged “sumo shows.” While shows feature humorous performances and audience interaction with wrestlers (performers), real practice is entirely different: all wrestlers belong to the Japan Sumo Association and are focused solely on climbing the ranks through relentless training. The stable you visit has two top-division wrestlers—watch how grueling it is for lower-ranked wrestlers to challenge them. Though the atmosphere during practice is intense and unapproachable, once off the ring the wrestlers are friendly, and you can take commemorative photos with them.