Tokyo Sumo Club Entertainment

Check off two cultural activities in one day — visiting Tokyo Tower and watching sumo. Yes, you heard that right. You can enjoy an interactive sumo show, with all its cultural trimmings, on the fifth floor of Tokyo’s iconic red tower.

Also read: Our guide to the top sumo restaurants in Tokyo.

What’s Tokyo Sumo Club Entertainment?

Tokyo Sumo Club Entertainment is more than just a sumo show where you can learn about the basics of sumo. It’s a highlight reel of all the best parts of traditional Japanese culture.

As soon as you enter, you’ll be seated and served a traditional Japanese meal. While you indulge in your food, the show begins. First up is a shamisen performance accompanied by a traditional Japanese dance.

Following the opening act is shishimai (Japanese Lion Dance). Make sure to get blessed by letting the lion bite your head, an interaction believed to bring good luck. There’s also a mochi-pounding experience where you’ll watch sumo wrestlers pound mochi. You can try it yourself, too.

It doesn’t stop there. Next up, an oiran procession takes the stage. Finally, a dynamic Kabuki kagami jishi rounds off this portion of the show.

It’s then time for the sumo to enter the ring. Performing authentic sumo rituals, you’ll see the ring-entering ceremony, then insights into their training, and then some real-life matches (which also include showing the salt-throwing ritual). An enthusiastic English-speaking MC keeps the energy up and will explain everything as it’s happening, so you are sure to learn a lot.

No real sumo entertainment show would be complete without the chance to challenge a sumo wrestler at the end. There’s also some time to ask them questions.

Before closing, the audience is invited to take part in a Bon Odori (traditional group dance) with all the performers of the day. You can go up to the ring if you would like, or stay dancing near your seat.

When the music ends, the experience concludes with a sanbon-jime (traditional hand-clapping ceremony). Then, you can head towards the gift shop to get your sumo-themed goods.

Food

As mentioned, your ticket also includes a set meal. The inclusions differ slightly, depending on the seat type. On our visit, we sampled the Standard Meal which had a variety of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. We personally loved the beef. Miso soup and sushi are also included.

The VIP meal differs slightly — a different type of beef is included. And, if you get the V-VIP you can also enjoy some premium meat and a chanko nabe which is officially endorsed by the 63rd Yokozuna, Asahifuji.

Notably, these meals can be made vegan too for no additional charge. Just request the change when purchasing your ticket.

What to know before you visit Tokyo Sumo Festival restaurant

Do you need reservations for the Tokyo Sumo Festival?

Yes, it’s best to book in advance. You can do so on the official website. There are four shows per day: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. Each last a hour and a half, with doors opening 30 minutes beforehand.

Ticket prices vary, depending on what seat you would like:

• V-VIP: ¥25,000
• VIP: ¥20,000 / ¥14,000
• Standard: ¥16,000 / ¥12,000

*V-VIP seats are ¥25,000 for both adults and children.

All packages include the admission, set meal, one drink, a commemorative photo, and souvenir. Same-day bookings and walk-ins are also possible, but depend on availability so it’s better to book.

by Jane Pipkin