Sumo Wrestling Challenge in Tokyo: Step Into the Ring

You wrestle an actual sumo wrestler, not a demonstration.

SUMOLAND in Ryogoku is a sumo-themed activity where you step into the ring to challenge a real former professional sumo wrestler, watch a sumo performance supervised by a Yokozuna, pound mochi with the wrestlers, and eat chicken chanko hot pot they've prepared. The experience runs about two hours and includes photos with the wrestlers and a souvenir set. Participation in the wrestling challenge or mochi-pounding may be limited if many guests join, decided by lottery or one person per group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sumo Experience and Activities

• Enter SUMOLAND Tokyo Ryogoku
• Enjoy chicken chanko hot pot
• Watch ring entrance ceremony
• Try mochi-pounding challenge
• Watch sumo show performance
• Participate in sumo bout challenge
• Take photos with wrestlers
• Collect photo and souvenir set

The experience

SUMOLAND sits on the first floor of a building a short walk from Ryogoku Station, marked by a large sumo wrestler sign. The experience opens with a ring entrance ceremony where former top-division wrestlers make a powerful entrance, then you move into the mochi-pounding challenge: a hands-on moment where you work alongside the wrestlers to make the traditional Japanese treat. Kids are welcome to try it too.

Before the main sumo bout, you'll eat chicken chanko hot pot specially prepared by sumo wrestlers and supervised by the Isegahama stable. This is the meal wrestlers themselves eat, and it's cooked right there as part of the experience. Then comes the sumo show, a performance supervised by a Yokozuna, followed by your moment in the ring: you step up and take on a real sumo wrestler in an actual bout. The whole thing is set up as entertainment rather than morning practice or official tournament rules, so it's built for visitors of all fitness levels.

After the bout, there's photo time with the wrestlers. Bring your smartphone or ask staff to snap the shots for you. You leave with an original souvenir set and photos before the two-hour window closes. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available with at least two days' notice. Standard seats are individual. Box seats fit up to six people and allow you to hold a child on your lap if needed. The venue is near Asakusa, Akihabara, Nihonbashi and Tokyo Skytree, so it slots easily into a larger Tokyo itinerary.

What’s included

• Chicken chanko hot pot prepared by sumo wrestlers.
• entrance to SUMOLAND.
• mochi-pounding challenge with the wrestlers.
• sumo performance supervised by a Yokozuna.
• sumo bout challenge where you wrestle a real wrestler.
• photo time with the wrestlers.
• original souvenir set and photos before you leave.

Options for this experience

3 options

Opens Oct 2. Sumo only, no meals.5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 19:00Tokyo: 1-hour sumo show where you learn the traditions, take on a wrestler, meet an English-speaking MC, and pose for photos. No meals (chanko) are included; SUMOLAND TOKYO EXPRESS is a plan covering only the sumo experience. Duration: 1 hour. Location: 2nd and 3rd floors of Eiko Bldg., 3-25-8 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0026, a 1-minute walk from JR Ryogoku Station. Opening Oct 2 and bookings are now open for SUMOLAND TOKYO EXPRESS.

Ryogoku, Tokyo: Sumo Performance, Chicken Hotpot, and Mochi Pounding11:00, 14:30 and 18:00

SUMOLAND Signature Box Seat11:00, 14:30 and 18:00BOX Seat: a box seat that costs the same for up to 6 guests. Please give the number of people in your group when you buy.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 19:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by SUMO LAND

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to actually step into the ring and test yourself against a real sumo wrestler rather than watch from the sidelines. The hands-on challenge is what separates this from a sumo show alone. The mochi-pounding and meal with the wrestlers add texture to the afternoon, so you're not just watching but making and eating alongside them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What exactly happens when I step into the ring with the sumo wrestler?

You take on a real former professional sumo wrestler in an actual bout during the sumo challenge portion of the experience. It's part of the entertainment program designed for both adults and children, so the setup is built for visitors rather than following official tournament rules.

Is the mochi-pounding something I actually do, or do I just watch?

Mochi-pounding is a hands-on challenge where you work alongside the wrestlers to make the traditional Japanese treat yourself. Kids are welcome to participate.

What is chanko hot pot and who prepares it?

Chanko hot pot is the meal sumo wrestlers eat, and at SUMOLAND it's chicken-based and specially prepared by sumo wrestlers under supervision of the Isegahama stable. It's included in your experience.

Can I request vegetarian or vegan meals?

Vegetarian and vegan meals are available upon request, but you need to book at least two days in advance. Gluten-free and halal options are not available, though you may bring your own food.

How long does the whole experience take?

The experience runs approximately two hours from start to finish, including the hot pot meal, mochi-pounding, sumo performance, your wrestling challenge, and photo time with the wrestlers.

What if many people show up? Will I definitely get to wrestle and pound mochi?

If many guests join the sumo challenge or mochi-pounding, participation may be limited to one person per group or decided by lottery. The venue manages capacity this way to keep the experience quality high.