Horse riding · JAPAN HORSE RIDING TOURS
Good japan horse riding tours fill up ahead of time and the sunrise slots go first. Below: the 4 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet your guide near Ryogoku Station at 7:45am, then enter a local sumo stable for about 90 minutes of quiet, close-up practice viewing. Guides such as Seiji, Yumi, Cameo, Noriko, and Nobu have led sessions, explaining rituals, rankings, training, and tournament life. Photo opportunities may follow.
“Nobu was an excellent guide and we enjoyed watching Sumo practice so much. Once in a lifetime activity”
Meet your small group in Tokyo and enter a sumo stable for morning practice. Watch wrestlers stretch, warm up, clash in the *dohyo*, and pose for photos afterward. Practice lasts 60 to 90 minutes, though tournament-season visits can be shorter. Expect floor seating and quiet observation.
“On am early and icy February morning we were able to watch the morning practice on one of the Sumo stables in Southern Tokyo. Seated on a small podest our group watched silently and from very close by as these massive athletes did their warm-up followed by an awe inspiring and forceful wrestling practice which gave us a great insight into the moves and rituals of this ancient sport. My kids loved it and were gripped throughout the 1,5 hours of practice. I can definitely recommend this experience!”
You meet a guide in Sumida City, learn basic sumo etiquette, then enter a working stable to watch practice from close range. The session may last about an hour, though training times vary. Expect floor seating, silence, no video, and a possible photo with a wrestler afterward.
“had a great time watching the practice and learning more about the wrestlers. Huge highlight of my trip.”
Meet your guide at Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station at 8:30 am, then watch about 90 minutes of real sumo practice at a working stable. Guides such as Tomo and Mao explain the rules and customs, help with questions, and may arrange photos with wrestlers. Silence is required during training.
“Great to just be a fly on the wall to get a peak into what a normal day is for a sumo wrestler. This was not a performance, it was practice, and a chance to see the athletes that they are train and battle close up.”
Pick a shoreline, a canyon or a driving seat.
