Sumo stable in Ryogoku (morning practice tour)

Attending a morning sumo training at a stable (heya) in Ryogoku is one of the most authentic and exclusive experiences you can have in Tokyo. The rikishi (wrestlers) put in hours of practice every morning in a solemn atmosphere, far from the media circus of the tournaments. The guided tours in Spanish or English take you to one of the stables of the Ryogoku district —the heart of sumo in Japan— to observe up close the exercises, rituals and hierarchies of this age-old sport. The guide explains how the heya works, the traditions and the daily life of the wrestlers. The price of the organised tours is around 8.000-10.000 ¥ per person. The usual meeting point is JR Ryogoku station. You have to go in comfortable clothes, sit on the floor with your legs crossed for 1,5-2 hours and keep absolute silence; the training is a sacred ritual, not a show for tourists. Book well in advance because places are very limited, and bear in mind that the tours are only available outside the official tournament periods.