Kyoto: Sumo Experience (with Live Show & Audience Challenge)
- Enjoy a powerful sumo show up close, filled with energy and humor.
- Learn about sumo traditions, techniques, and the daily lives of sumo wrestlers in an enjoyable way.
- Watch the show at your leisure while enjoying complimentary bottled water.
- You can step into the dohyo (sumo ring) and challenge a real sumo wrestler to a match.
What to expect
This is a special experience in Kyoto where you can get up close and personal with sumo, a traditional Japanese culture. You can enjoy powerful bouts and demonstrations by sumo wrestlers right before your eyes.
During the show, you will not only witness the strength of the wrestlers, but also enjoy performances featuring unique sumo techniques, etiquette, and a touch of humor. The content is designed to be enjoyed even by first-time viewers and families with children.
Throughout the experience, we will provide easy-to-understand introductions to the history of sumo, the ring-entering ceremony (dohyo-iri), pre-bout rituals, the daily life of wrestlers, and more. Rather than just watching a match, you will gain a deeper understanding of sumo as an aspect of Japanese culture.
Furthermore, those who wish to do so can actually step into the ring and try their hand at a sumo match against a real wrestler. It will be an unforgettable time where you can directly experience the size and power of the wrestlers. Because the matches are conducted in a fun and safe manner, even those with no prior sumo experience can participate with peace of mind. Slots for the sumo challenge are limited. (Up to 4 participants per show; if there are many applicants, participants will be chosen by lottery.)
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Good to know
- Not an official sumo tournament (entertainment show)
- Infants must sit on laps
- English-speaking MC
- Limited spots for sumo challenge participants (up to 6 people per show; if there are many applicants, participants will be selected by lottery) Photography allowed
Reviews
It is incredible. Not only do they explain what sumo is, but they make you feel and experience it. The staff is very attentive and fluent in multiple languages, and the wrestlers are very nice and fun. I had a great time and had the opportunity to observe and try to move a professional sumo wrestler.
Superb show! Got to know a lot about Sumo sport and the heart and soul the athletes put into it. And of course, the wrestlers put on an amazing fight! Really glad to be a part of the show💪🏻💪🏻
Had a great time - very entertaining! Wrestlers were fun to watch, and had a good crash course of how sumo works and some of the history. Got to see a few matches between the wrestlers, and then a few bouts with the audience.
It's a fantastic experience. Anyone visiting Japan shouldn't miss it. The wrestlers put in a lot of effort to showcase all the technique behind this sport. In addition to the matches, they share the entire history of the sport. There's a part where they answer questions from the audience, which is really cool. At the end, we can take photos with the wrestlers. It's a complete experience. It was definitely worth it.
great show and was lucky enough to wrestle one of the sumo wrestlers! highly recommend as this is one of the easiest places to see sumo wrestling in Japan, as real competitions only happen a few times per year.
Had a great time learning about and watching sumo training and matches. The sumos were great fun and impressive to watch. Would definitely recommend this when visiting Japan!
Fantastic experience in Kyoto！It’s a great way to learn more of the history behind sumo and get to watch some real life sumo wrestlers! The guide did a great job of explaining the sport and the wrestlers were top notch!
This sumo show was AMAZING!!! Maya, the instructor, explained everything so clearly, and I really enjoyed the show! The Q&A session with the rikishi (sumo wrestlers) was also really interesting. It was my first time seeing sumo wrestlers in person, and it was such an awesome experience :) Highly recommend!!
Absolutely amazing experience! We had such a wonderful time at the sumo show and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Kyoto. The atmosphere was incredible, the performances were so entertaining, and it was such a unique way to experience and learn more about Japanese culture. Everyone involved was so welcoming and made the experience feel really special. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Japan and an experience we’ll remember for a long time! 🇯🇵❤️ Thank you for such an unforgettable evening! 🥰
Good for a laugh and to learn more about the sport and history. Nothing overly immersive culturally, but I highly recommend it.
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