Japan Awaits

The Sumo Tournament Experience in Fukuoka City (in Fukuoka Prefecture) with Japan Awaits is an experience at the famous Grand Sumo Tournament that occurs only once a year (November) in Fukuoka. The experience offers an inside look into sumo’s traditions and culture with an English-speaking guide who is an expert in the sport.

Sumo is one of Japan’s most iconic sports, with roots going back centuries. Classified as a gendai budo (modern Japanese martial art), it is more than a competition — it’s a living tradition filled with rituals that reflect Japan’s history and culture.

Sumo wrestlers (rikishi) lead highly disciplined lives. Most live in communal training stables (heya), where every aspect of their day — from meals to clothing — follows strict rules designed to preserve the sport’s heritage.

The Sumo Tournament Experience is a 4-hour guided visit to an official basho (tournament) with a small group of up to 20 guests. Your guide will introduce you to ancient traditions, including the ritual use of salt purification, while you cheer on Japan’s top wrestlers as they arrive at the stadium.

Inside Fukuoka Kokusai Center, you’ll enjoy reserved B- or C-class seats with comfortable chair seating and an excellent view of the ring. Using personal audio headsets, you’ll clearly hear your guide explain the history, culture, and stories of legendary wrestlers past and present.

Feel the excitement of each match, the energy of the crowd, and the pride of witnessing Japan’s national sport alongside passionate local fans.

Availability:
Afternoon session: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (on selected tournament dates)

Location:
Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Fukuoka
The directions to the meeting point will be provided after booking.

Price:

• Join-in Standard: ¥27,800 per person (B-class Seats or C-Class Seats)
• Join-in Premium: ¥36,800 per person (A-class Seats)
• Private Premium: See price at checkout (S-Class seats or A-Class)

Inclusions:

• Join-in Standard – B-class or C-class reserved seats
• Join-in Premium – A-class reserved seats
• Private Premium – S-class or A-class reserved seats
• English-speaking tour guide (local sumo expert)
• Sumo information and/or pamphlet
• Audio headset
• Banzuke-hyo (A table of rankings)

Exclusions:

• Hotel pick-up
• Meals and drinks

Seating Arrangement

• Join-in Standard – B-class or C-class reserved seats
• Join-in Premium – A-class reserved seats
• Private Premium – S-class or A-class reserved seats

The tour will have a maximum of 20 people sitting in the same location with the English-speaking tour guide.

Age Requirement

There is no age requirement. Children must be accompanied by adults (18 or older). Adult pricing applies to all guests of any age, except infants and toddlers between age 1 and 3, which are free of charge, as long as they do not occupy a seat (infants must sit on parents’ laps). Please note you may be required to show your ID for proof of age at the venue.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Before the tour, please notify us if you or someone in your group will be in a wheelchair. Please note that there is a wheelchair storage area on the first floor of the stadium; however, your seats will be on the second floor. Guests must be able to climb up the stairs on their own (or with the help from a family member) as staff from Fukuoka Kokusai Center will not be able to assist guests.

Food at the arena

No outside food or drinks are allowed in the arena, but food is available for purchase from vendors within the arena.

Crowds at the Arena

Please note that there may be a wait prior to seating, as we must wait for all sumo matches to end before entering. There may also be congestion at the Sumo Museum, in which the tour guide may ask guests to visit on their own since it would be difficult to walk around with a large group in a congested area.

Cancellation Policy

This is a join-in group experience that requires a minimum of 15 confirmed guests to operate. If the minimum is not met, the tour will be canceled, and you will receive a full refund.

Tickets are requested but not guaranteed, as the Sumo Association does not release them until 4–7 weeks before the tournament. If we’re unable to secure tickets, we’ll notify you at least 4 weeks in advance and offer another date or a full refund.

Standard Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 7 days or less before the event
• Cancellation fee of 50% is charged if cancelled 14 days or less before the event
• Cancellation fee of 25% is charged if cancelled 20 days or less before the event

Payment

All bookings are payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire. Confirmations regarding your booking will be sent at least 10 days before your activity date.

When do the sumo tournaments take place in Japan?

The official basho (tournaments) take place six times a year at various locations with each tournament lasting 15 days (start date and end date both land on Sundays). The exact dates vary, but takes place on the same months each year:

• January Tournament: Tokyo
• March Tournament: Osaka
• May Tournament: Tokyo
• July Tournament: Nagoya
• September Tournament: Tokyo
• November Tournament: Fukuoka

What if I’m late?

We ask that all guests arrive at the location at least 10 minutes before the designated meet-up time. Since this is a group tour, we may not be able to wait for you if you are late. The tour will proceed without the late guests and no refunds will be provided.

Looking for a tour in a different city?

Japan Awaits is a licensed tour operator in Japan, with hundreds of registered and vetted tour guides nationwide. We offer tours in any location in Japan and manage all details, including transportation and tickets. Contact us and inquire about a custom experience today.