Horse riding · JAPAN HORSE RIDING TOURS
Good japan horse riding tours fill up ahead of time and the sunrise slots go first. Below: the 12 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.”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Mao, Yuki, Kawa, or Tomo for a close look at morning sumo practice in a real Tokyo stable. Learn the rules and Shinto rituals, sit quietly beside the ring, and speak with wrestlers after training.
“Unique sumo wrestling experience with Mao who gave us very useful explanations throughout - a must do in Tokyo - very authentic”
Join guide Ishida at an Ikazuchi Sumo Stable near Tokyo Skytree for a close look at morning practice. You will learn basic rules and stable life, sit on cushions near the action, and take non-flash photos with wrestlers afterward. The 2-hour visit costs $90 and excludes children under 10.
“Had a great time watching the practice at the stable- we had an excellent view from where we sat on cushions. We were happy that our guide Ishida reviewed the basic rules of the game beforehand and taught us about the life of a wrestler while living at the stable. By the end of the practice, we had a good understanding of the hard work involved for each wrestler and of the respect they have of the coaches and for each other. We appreciated being able to take pictures while there. Thank you Ishida. You are very friendly and informative and we don't think we would have found the stable…”
Meet your guide at 8:30 am in Oshiage, Sumida, then watch about an hour of morning practice at the Ikazuchi Sumo Stable. See wrestlers up close, receive a special brochure, and take photos or ask questions after training. The group is capped at 10 people.
“Loved it! Went with our kids. So fun and interesting. Question and answer at the end was good too. Very real sumo experience”
At Ochi Izumi Stable in Izumisano, learn sumo basics, watch retired wrestlers compete, then join friendly bouts and pose for photos. You can ask staff to wear a kimono in the Ochiizumi Room. A hearty chanko nabe meal is included, with a vegetarian option available by request.
“We had an excellent time! The staff was great, the Sumo wrestlers were amazing. This unique show is entertaining and engaging. We would definitely attend this event again when we are in Osaka. Thank you to everyone that put this show together. My family, especially my 4 year old son, had an amazing time!”
Ride a gentle horse near Sapporo after a simple English safety lesson from the instructor, known as the Sheriff. Your private taxi covers the trip to Mustang Town and back. Choose a 40-minute or one-hour ride through orchards, forest paths, and countryside near the eight-peak mountain.
“It was a magical experience. The staff were very friendly and capable with horses. The horse riding lesson was fun and riding out into the forest was memorable.”
Meet at Ryogoku Station at 7:45 a.m. for a quiet, close view of morning sumo practice at a stable led by a former Yokozuna. Guides such as Ryoko and Rothko add context before a walk past Kokugikan, Nominosukune Shrine, Hokusai art, and Edo-style food spots.
“Talk about up close and personal! The wrestlers were just a couple of feet away so we got a great view of their training session. Our guide was lovely but we noticed one of the other tour guides passing around laminated sheets describing Read more”
Join English-speaking horse whisperer Mr. Konishi for a two-hour hike through two to four private pastures at Horse Trust in Kagoshima. Learn the ranch’s safety rules, meet horses living naturally, and walk through calm pasture and forest areas away from the usual sightseeing route.
“A really well-organized experience. If you opt-in for the taxi pickup (strongly recommended), you'll have a reliable way to get to the Horse Trust and back to the train station, which is super convenient. I went to Kagoshima just to have this experience, and am so glad I did! SeeRead more”
Meet at Warabi Station at 8:00 AM for a four-hour visit to a working sumo stable. Your English-speaking sumo guide explains the rituals through an audio headset as you watch practice, meet wrestlers over tea, take photos, and eat chanko lunch if selected. Groups are limited to 16.
“Our family had a wonderful guide who educated us on sumo stable and sumo history and traditions . We were honored to watch the sumo training in a stable and then to have a traditional chai lunch with them . One of our favorite experiences in Japan .”
Pick a shoreline, a canyon or a driving seat.
