Tokyo: The day I fought a Sumo
I’ve been fascinated by sumo for years now.
Their strength, flexibility, the many traditions that go along with it. And how gents that large can move so fast, I will never quite understand.
So when I had the chance to wrestle a real sumo while visiting Tokyo, Japan, it’s safe to say that I was excited. REALLY excited. This is the story of how it went down.
Pre-fight preparation
In prep for our Japan vacation, I was pretty keen to try and do some quintessentially Japanese experiences, like dress up as Mario characters and drive go-karts through the streets of Tokyo, go to a cooking school, or soak in a traditional onsen (hot bath house).
So it was with some glee that we stumbled across the Asakusa Sumo Experience which offers just such a cool experience – the opportunity to wrestle a sumo and find out all about their training and lifestyles. This was just too good to pass up and I had to do it!
The event is held in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighbourhood, one of the nicest areas that we had the pleasure of exploring. Right across the road from the train station you will find the restaurant where the sumo experience is held on the second floor, where you will meet the other participants and Japanese hosts. No equipment or training necessary, they provide everything you need.
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Fight day
Once we had entered and swapped our shoes for slippers, we managed to score front row seats to a carpeted wrestling area and a long table full of other guests stretched out behind us. Our host discussed many interesting details of sumo training and life while we awaited the arrival of the sumos, such as:
- The first formal sumo tournament was conducted 400 years ago, but sumo matches have occurred for well over 1000 years
- Sumo generally start serious training from the age of 15
- Sumo will normally train for 5 hours per day
- Sumo tournaments are held in every odd-numbered month, but the main ones in Tokyo are in January, May and September
- A grand champion, or Yokozuna, can earn up to US$5 million per year!
With the introductions complete, out walked the two sumo who would be our guides for the experience. They. Were. Huge. That shouldn’t really come as a surprise, being sumo wrestlers and all, but up close and personal these boys are absolute man-mountains.
Over the next half hour, our two sumo guides explained to us some of the traditions and rituals of sumo tournaments, some of the basic techniques that sumo are taught, and what not to do (my game plan went out the window here). They also showed us a mini sumo match, pitting themselves against each other in what was a pretty even match. When they hit each other it was like two planets colliding and the sound up close was something to remember.
Finally, it was out turn. Our hosts called for volunteers (both male and females are encouraged to give it a go) and I strategically waited for a few other challengers to come forward before putting my hand up. All the better for me to test my game strategy, I told myself.
Loving Japan? If you want more, read the things to do before your trip and what to eat in Japan.
When my time came, I suited up in a mock sumo costume and faced off with a real sumo. We completed the initial rituals, I threw in some cocky smack talk to calm my nerves (it didn’t work) and we were off.
Now I should say here, I’m not a small person. I mean, I lift a few weights, like to think that I am reasonably strong and could at least make some kind of an impact, right? Wrong. I didn’t hold back in the opening hit…. and it didn’t matter at all. He didn’t budge. Not even a shudder. This was going to be a long match.
We tussled for a little bit and I made some embarrassing noises as I tried to lift his belt up to see if I could unbalance him at all. He obviously didn’t move one bit, and at one point, my feet lifted off of the floor and my sumo opponent, in complete control by this stage, twirled me around like I was a ballerina.
Having thoroughly ruined any chance of me thinking that I could out-compete a sumo, he casually gave me an opening and allowed me to push him out of the ring. Which, mind you, still took a bit of effort!
Post-Fight
After our mini-tournaments, all participants got served a generous bento box with tonkatsu, rice, etc and we also got to try the sumo meal of choice – chanko-nabe. It’s a delicious, thick soupy dish of vegetables, tofu and balls of chicken and pork, which is very filling.
We also got to interact with the sumos, taking pictures with them, asking questions about their careers and learning more about the training regimes of sumos and they were happy to oblige us as many questions as we wanted on any topics.
Conclusion
This was one of most fun experiences that we had in Tokyo. It’s not often that you get the chance, as an Australian, to wrestle a sumo, have lunch with them and find out about this fascinating aspect of Japanese society. Although sadly my dreams of world sumo domination now appear shaky, I’m super glad that I took the opportunity to do this, as it really is a one of a kind experience.
Would you get in the ring with a Japanese sumo? Or would you rather check them out in a tournament? Let us know in the comments below!
Thanks to Beauty of Japan for providing us with this experience. If you want to test your strength, skill and, let’s be honest, pride, you can book your Sumo Experience through them here.
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Love this! I’m timing our trip next year to be in Osaka for the March tournament. I’ve been before but want to take my 7yo. Have never tried to wrestle one of these guys but did meet some and have a picture with them and I have never looked so tiny ever!
Haha I am still shocked at how tall and strong they were! Seeing the tournament in Osaka will be amazing! Will you be going to Tokyo by any chance? I am sure Mr 7 would LOVE to try to wrestle these guys!
Guy,
Two years ago when I was in Yokohama I took a Kendo lesson from a 40 year old young lady! She was patient with this old man and took her time with my inability to pick up the art quickly. I learned a few things, one is that Kendo is the training sport for Samurai. I wasn’t aware of this.
Anyway if you haven’t had the chance to experience this I would highly recommend you take a class or two. They were very reasonable at $35 to $40 US dollars an hour. Plus she picked us up at my son’s condo. Go for it!
Thanks Nomadic Texan, it’s like you ‘get’ me already 🙂 Re:Kendo lessons, that is such a reasonable price for such a great experience, I would definitely be into trying it next time we travel to Japan (and there will most certainly be a next time! Thanks for the comment!
Totally loved reading this. This must have been a great experience. I wouldn’t mind giving this a stab too 🙂
Oh what a funny experience! I would LOVE to do that too!! (although, I’ll probably look so ridiculous, and the only thing I’ll do right will be to eat my bento box after the wrestle! haha…)
It’s not often that you get a chance to participate in a thousand year old tradition. I was in rescue diver training this morning at it was hard enough dragging our 140lb “victim” up onto the beach. I couldn’t imagine lifting a real life sumo wrestler.
What a fun experience! I’ve always been fascinated by Sumo culture, it’s so cool that you got to be one for a day.
Omg, this is amazing! I can’t believe Sumos train for 5 hours a day! I’m so lazy that I’d never, ever, ever make it as a wrestler.
Sounds like a really unique experience over all. I need to go to Japan soon.
100% on board with this. Except the rubber outfit, looks hot. And smelly. But pretty sure I could get over that part!
Hahaha it wasn’t bad at all, in typical Japanese fashion everything was spotless and the suits weren’t smelly at all!
What an amazing experience! The whole sumo wrestling thing is fascinating to me, and it’s great that you got to learn from the pros. I am definitely all about that post-fight lunch!
Wow! This is such a cool experience. I have always been curious about Sumo wrestlers and what a great chance to meet them and try hands at Sumo! Looks like you had a great experience in getting to know them and trying it yourself. Hope to visit them some day! Loved this post.
What a fun and cool experience. Those guys do look like giants…but gentle giants. Had a chance to try Muay Thai boxing in Thailand which was also a dream experience. It’s always fun to try local activities in their countries of origin. For me and Sumo…I’ll be content to watch it from afar 🙂
Ooh Muay Thai would be cool, I’ve been meaning to do that in Thailand one day in the future. I agree it’s local activities that make you feel like you are immersing yourself into the culture a little more than shopping around. For me, I’m that type of guy that just can’t turn down an opportunity like fight a sumo! Thanks for the comment!
Oh my gosh, that looks scary and fun all at the same time!! I’m sure my husband would love to do this on our next trip to Tokyo. The sumo wrestlers seem like good sports and they want you to have a good time. Glad they remembered that you’re a novice and they didn’t hurt you!! A few embarrassing noises can be overcome but broken bones, not so much, lol!
Haha they were quite gentle. One guy really tried to give it to the sumos and they just kind of braced up and held him off – with one leg! All very professional and a really welcoming environment.
This is awesome!! I’ve been to Japan six times and never knew this was something you could participate in yourself as well. Definitely looks like a lot of fun. Those mock sumo costumes are so hilarious and cute at the same time. I think I’d definitely wanna try this next time I return!
Thanks Jasmine! It was such a fun day and the sumos were so lovely and patient with us. The food was also delicious!