Sumo in Nagoya: 4 Tours Worth the Trip

1.Grand Sumo Tournament Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44 reviews · from $225Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide at Nagoyajo Station, tour Nagoya Castle if you choose, then watch three hours of top-division sumo from Chair S or A seats. Your guide explains rituals, rules, and wrestlers through an earphone system, with an English profile pamphlet, sumo booklet, and cheering towel provided. Guides may include Yuki, Keiko, Mari, or Sunny Yoko.

“Well organised and very informative. I liked the information that was shared to help us understand what was happening. The guide was great too!”

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2.Sumo Tournament Experience in Nagoya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $228Top rated

Join an English-speaking sumo expert at Nagoya’s official July tournament. Learn the meaning behind salt purification and other rituals, greet wrestlers entering the stadium, then watch the matches from reserved chair seats. The four-hour group tour costs $228.62, with optional chanko hot pot dinner.

“Yoko was great! She was extremely knowledgeable and very passionate about sumo and sharing it it all with our group. Our kids (9 and 11) had a blast and loved this entire event!! We highly recommend this tour and try to get Yoko if you can, you won't be disappointed!!”

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3.The Best Sumo Tournament Experience in Nagoya

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · from $233

Join Elly, Elisabeth, Mary, or another expert guide for about four hours at Nagoya’s official summer sumo tournament. Learn the rules and traditions, greet wrestlers entering IG Arena, browse sumo shops, eat a small bowl of Chanko Nabe, and cheer with local fans from reserved A or S seats.

“We had such a great time on our Sumo tournament tour with Ellie in Nagoya. None of us knew anything about Sumo, but Ellie, who is a great guide, educated us all about it. Now we're all into watching Sumo matches on TV, and plan to attend another tournament in Nagoya next year”

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4.Visit Sumo Morning Practice with English Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $96Best value

Travel from Nagoya to Ryushoin Temple near Kanie for a close look at Takasago stable’s morning sumo practice. An English-speaking guide explains what you are seeing, and you can sit on a chair rather than the ground. After practice, take a commemorative photo with a rikishi. The experience lasts about two hours.

“A real immersion into the work rls of sumo. Impressive morning training.”

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