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SUMO TRAINING WEY NA ONLY YOUR GROUP · TOKYO & OSAKA
Enter di sumo ring.
Carry better tori go house.
Discover sumo traditions, movements and spirit for session wey na only your group get. Learn with instructors wey sabi di work for Tokyo or Osaka, with pace wey suit your group.
Plan your own private sessionSee wetin di experience getNa only your groupSupport dey for EnglishBeginners and families dey welcome
OUR TRACK RECORD
Welcoming sumo guests from around the world.
Countries and Regions
We have welcomed guests from more than 34 countries and regions.
Explore our guests’ home countries and regions
These include:
- United States
- Canada
- France
- United Kingdom
- Mexico
- Australia
- Germany
- Japan
- India
- Brazil
- Taiwan
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Poland
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Spain
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Czech Republic
- Dominican Republic
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Lithuania
- Nepal
- Norway
- Réunion
- Romania
- Russia
- Switzerland
- Turkey
Di sumo experience
Your people. Your pace. Your private session.
Plan family visit, quiet private experience for special clients, travel-agency group or focused practice for sumo team. Tell us wetin una wan achieve, make we discuss di format wey go fit. Particular instructors and special arrangements depend on who and wetin dey available.
Na about 90 minutes from preparation reach finish: wear mawashi, learn di customs and rules, practise shiko, koshiwari and suriashi, try drills wey suit you and bout wey instructor dey supervise, then snap photos. We go adjust how una participate and how hard di training go be to suit your group.
See wetin di experience getCity wey you prefer
Two cities. One experience wey you no go forget.
Choose Tokyo or Osaka. We go confirm your venue, instructor and programme with you before you book.
01 / TOKYO
東京
Tokyo
Practise for real indoor sumo ring inside Heiwanomori Park for Ota, Tokyo. Small private groups go learn di basics, try bout wey instructor dey supervise, and snap photos together. Bigger groups fit ask for venue wey get sports mats.
Discover Tokyo
02 / OSAKA
大阪
Osaka
Enter traditional training space for central Osaka, inside di place wey Miyagino Stable bin dey stay and train for Osaka. Na eight minutes by train from Namba; add extra time to waka reach where una go meet.
Discover OsakaYOUR TIME IN THE DOHYO
From the first bow to the final photograph.
A private introduction to the movements, rituals and people of sumo.
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The mawashi
Get ready with help from your instructor.
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Warm up
Ease into the session at your own pace.
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Discover the rules
Discover the traditions behind the sport.
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Practise keiko
Explore sumo’s foundational movements.
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Enter the ring
Try a bout guided by your instructor.
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Keep the memory
Take photographs with the wrestlers.
Approximately 90 minutes, including preparation and photos. Activities are adapted to your group; contact practice and bouts are at the instructor’s discretion.
Di sumo experience
Small tradition. Plenty participation.
Na about 90 minutes from preparation reach finish: wear mawashi, learn di customs and rules, practise shiko, koshiwari and suriashi, try drills wey suit you and bout wey instructor dey supervise, then snap photos. We go adjust how una participate and how hard di training go be to suit your group.
YOUR PRIVATE SUMO EXPERIENCE
The programme, step by step
From putting on a mawashi to stepping into the ring: discover the movements, rules and rituals of sumo with your instructors. No previous sumo experience is needed.
Allow around 90 minutes, including preparation and photographs.
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Put on a mawashi
Your instructor helps you put on the traditional sumo belt and prepares you for the experience.
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Warm up together
Begin with stretches and preparatory movements. Follow the instructor’s demonstrations at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
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Understand the rules
Learn the essentials of sumo’s history, how a bout is won, and the etiquette of the dohyo, the sumo ring.
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Practise the fundamentals — keiko
Try the traditional movements that underpin sumo training. Your instructor explains and demonstrates each exercise.
- Shiko
- Lift and lower each leg, practising balance and the characteristic sumo leg stamp.
- Koshiwari
- Lower your hips into a wide sumo stance and practise controlling your posture.
- Suriashi
- Practise sliding footwork, keeping your feet close to the ground as you move.
- Teppo
- Learn the forward pushing movement and how the arms and feet work together.
- Butsukari-geiko
- Try controlled pushing practice when your instructor considers it appropriate, at an intensity suited to you.
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Experience a bout — torikumi
Learn the sequence: bow, perform chirichozu, place both fists on the ground, begin the bout, and bow again. Explore the meaning of chirichozu and the kinjite, or prohibited techniques. The instructor adapts each guided bout to the participants.
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Take commemorative photos
Finish with photos alongside the sumo wrestlers to remember your time in the ring.
This is a sample programme. Exercises, order and duration may change with the venue, group and conditions on the day. Contact drills and bouts are offered at the instructor’s discretion. You do not need to take part in every activity. Tell us about your group’s needs when enquiring.
A LOOK INSIDE THE EXPERIENCE
Take a look inside a session
Watch a sample session to get a feel for the atmosphere and hands-on experience. Your private programme can be adapted to your group, interests and venue.
This video is an example. Activities, instructors, venue and timings are confirmed for your own booking.
Watch on YouTubeTHE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR EXPERIENCE
Instructors & support team
Meet the sumo instructors, interpreter, photographer and organiser behind Sumo! Sumo! Sumo!
Toru Shimakura
Operator · Backrub LLC representative
- Runs Sumo! Sumo! Sumo!
- Representative of Backrub LLC.
Sitara Matsumoto
Interpreter · English-language support
- Speaks English at a native level and has lived overseas.
- Academic background at Sophia University.
Sota Kohara
Sumo instructor
- Won the Chiba Prefecture High School Sumo Championship in two consecutive years.
- Third place in the team division at the All-Japan Student Sumo Championships.
- Competitive sumo background at Hosei University.
So Miyaue
Sumo instructor · English-language instruction
- 25 years of competitive sumo experience.
- Provides professional sumo instruction in English.
- Runner-up in the under-85 kg category at the All Japan Intercollegiate Sumo Weight-Class Championships.
Kyosuke Sata
Professional photographer
- Professional photographer fluent in English.
- Experience in high-end photography, including work on international luxury cruise liners.
Shinnosuke Takemasa
Sumo instructor · Former professional wrestler
- Champion of the National Sports Festival of Japan, team division.
- Champion of the All Japan Junior Sumo Championships.
- Former professional wrestler in the Makushita division, competing under the ring name Genki.
Your session team is arranged according to the programme and availability. Please tell us about any instructor or language requests when you enquire.
AN OPTIONAL ADDITION TO YOUR PRIVATE SESSION
Train with a former sekitori.
Former sekitori — wrestlers who reached the Jūryō or Makuuchi divisions — can take part in your private training experience for an additional fee. Tell us your preferred wrestler, city and dates. We will check availability and confirm the arrangements in your proposal.
Hidenoumi 英乃海
Highest rank: Maegashira 6
A former Makuuchi wrestler from Kise stable and a Jūryō champion. His speciality is sumo with a right-hand inside grip and force-out techniques.
Daishoho 大翔鵬
Highest rank: Maegashira 9
From Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, he trained at Oitekaze stable and competed in nine Makuuchi tournaments. His speciality is a right-hand inside grip and force-out techniques.
Daikiho 大喜鵬
Highest rank: Maegashira 16
Formerly of Miyagino stable, Masahiro Yamaguchi reached the Makuuchi division. His experience also includes international sumo shows, television and film.
Shiden 紫雷
Highest rank: Jūryō 2
A former Jūryō wrestler from Kise stable, known for a left-hand inside grip and force-out style. His approachable presence is well suited to demonstrations and guest participation.
A requested wrestler is confirmed only after availability and the additional fee have been agreed. For sumo shows, media appearances or event casting, please contact Sumo Man. Shows and casting with Sumo Man
People wey dey work for travel business
Experience wey your clients go remember. Clear plan for you.
For travel agents, companies wey arrange local trips, hotels and tour operators: tell us di city, date, number of people, guests' ages, language and travel plan. We go confirm venue, staff, programme and booking conditions inside proposal wey suit you. We go share business terms with you privately.
For people wey work for travel businessPLAN YOUR VISIT
Available every day of the week
Private sessions can be arranged on any day, including Mondays and weekends, subject to availability.
Standard start times · Japan time
If these times do not fit your itinerary, ask us about adjusting the start time.
Visiting the Tokyo area on a Monday?
The Heiwajima / Heiwanomori Park venue in Tokyo cannot be used on Mondays. Monday sessions can instead be arranged at one of the following locations:
- Soka, Saitama
- Kawasaki, Kanagawa
- Ginza, Tokyo — additional fee applies
We check availability and confirm the venue and start time with you before booking.
AN EXPERIENCE THAT FITS YOUR GROUP
Choose an experience that suits your group.
Our sumo experiences began in 2020. The operating company, Backrub LLC, was established in August 2023.
From a small private party to a large group
Traditional ring · Recommended for up to 20 guests
For independent travellers and small groups, we recommend a real dohyo. At the Tokyo ring, groups of up to 30 may be accommodated by arrangement; the venue and participation plan must be confirmed.
Mat programme · Standard groups of 10–30
A mat programme offers flexibility for group itineraries. Larger groups require a separately arranged venue and instructor team.
Tokyo mat venues · Groups of 20–50
Venue options include Takadanobaba and Shibuya. We select the location and programme according to your group and venue availability.
Tokyo mat venues · Groups of 50–200
For large groups, a venue approximately 10 minutes by car from Ikebukuro is an option. Capacity, transport arrangements and staffing are confirmed for each booking.
Different guests, different ways to take part
Families, school groups & events
We welcome corporate MICE groups, families, middle- and high-school groups, and special-event bookings. Most guests are new to sumo; no previous knowledge or experience is required.
Women & children
Women are welcome to step onto the dohyo and participate. Participation is recommended from age four; children can also accompany the group and watch without taking part. Tell us the ages and numbers of participants and observers.
Older guests & gentle participation
We have welcomed many guests in their 60s and beyond. A gentler programme is available for those who prefer a lower level of physical activity. Experienced athletes can request more intensive training.
Modest clothing & privacy
Muslim guests are welcome to participate in a hijab or other modest attire. A female instructor may be requested well in advance, subject to availability. Private sessions also give LGBT+ guests and anyone with privacy requirements space to enjoy the experience with their own group.
Sessions in English, with demonstrations to guide you
Sessions are conducted in English, with support in English and Japanese. Demonstrations and physical practice also help guests from non-English-speaking backgrounds understand the movements.
Share your group’s requirements when enquiring. We confirm the venue, instructors, participation arrangements and meeting instructions before your visit. Please confirm travel arrangements alongside your booking details.
Plan your group’s experiencePREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Insurance & safety
Our sumo experience has business insurance with Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. We combine this with safety training for instructors and clear guidance for participants.
Business insurance
The policy described in our service information includes bodily-injury liability, property-damage liability and theft of guests’ belongings. Coverage is subject to the policy’s terms, conditions and exclusions.
Care during your session
Instructors receive safety training and first-aid kits are available on site. Please follow the instructor’s directions and tell us about any participation needs before your visit.
Understand the cover
Sumo is a physical activity and minor scrapes or bruises can occur. The insurance described in our service information does not cover these minor injuries. It does not guarantee cover for every accident or loss.
Travel professionals and guests can request confirmation of the insurance arrangements and the applicable coverage conditions for their visit.
Ask about insurance for your visit
Beginners and families dey welcome
Before you enter di ring
For private session, abeg contact us at least two weeks before. Bring drinking water, towel and clothes to change. Pikin fit join from two years, but we recommend four years and above. Pikin wey be twelve years or younger need parent or adult wey go supervise am. Tell us early about any help una need to enter di venue or participate.
Find out moreSUMO JOURNAL
Know sumo before you travel.
Read practical booking guides, sumo culture and advice for people wey dey work for travel business. Detailed articles dey for English and Japanese.
SUMO MAN
You dey find performers for show or production?
For sumo shows, film, television, adverts, event appearances and talent casting, visit our specialist agency, Sumo Man.
SUMO TRAINING WEY NA ONLY YOUR GROUP · TOKYO & OSAKA
Make we plan your time for di ring.
Tell us small about your trip. We go check availability and prepare proposal. To send enquiry no mean say your booking don confirm.
Tokyo & Osaka
Na only your group