Being a Sumo Tours guide means starting the day early. The first task is checking the roster for the day’s schedule. I also review the current tournament standings and the results from the day before, especially if I didn’t have a chance to watch the matches live. After that, I send a final confirmation email to the clients to ensure everything is set for the day.
Next, I head to the venue early to check our seat arrangements and place some banners to clearly mark where our group will be sitting. I enjoy watching a few of the lower-division battles, grab a light snack, and then head to the designated meeting spot.
I make sure to stay available by phone mu guests can easily reach me. Once everyone has gathered, I introduce myself and provide an overview of the experience.
The Journey to the Venue
We begin by walking towards the venue together. After passing through the security check, we enter the arena. This is one of my favorite moments: seeing guests’ reactions to the grandness of the tournament venue—wide eyes and open mouths are a common sight.
Inside the Sumo Experience
Once we’re seated, I take the opportunity to explain the roles of everyone involved in a Grand Sumo Tournament. This includes not only the sumo wrestlers but also the referees, support staff, judges, and more. One of the details most people don’t know is how much influence the referee has over when a match starts or ends. There’s also a lot to learn about the different rituals, some of which I continue to discover thanks to my Japanese sumo friends.
While you don’t need to know all of this to enjoy the tournament, I believe it enhances the experience, and I love sharing it with my guests.
I also encourage my guests to explore the stadium. While it’s important to be polite and considerate of other attendees, there are several great spots for pictures.
Mid-Tournament Activities
Since the tournament lasts for several hours, we take advantage of one of the recesses to visit the sumo merchandise shops and pick up some souvenirs. It’s always fun to see what unique items my guests find.
The Main Event
When the top division matches begin, we settle into our seats, and I walk you through the matches, explaining the key rules and the most common sumo techniques. This is where the excitement really builds, as the best wrestlers showcase their skills.
Wrapping Up the Day
At the end of the day’s tournament, we slowly make our way out of the venue. With thousands of fans exiting, it’s a leisurely process, but it gives us time to chat, answer any lingering questions, and soak in the atmosphere. It’s always interesting to watch the passionate sumo fans as we leave.
Final Thoughts
Leading a sumo tour is a rewarding experience. Each day brings new matches, new guests, and fresh opportunities to share the fascinating world of sumo wrestling. If you’re interested in joining one of our tours, check out our Sumo Tours here. I look forward to guiding you through your sumo adventure!
Also, if you’re visiting Nagoya, I highly recommend exploring the city further with the help of Nagoya is Not Boring, a fantastic resource for discovering hidden gems and exciting activities in the area.
