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Sumo Restaurants in Tokyo — Full Guide
In Tokyo, there are plenty of sumo-themed restaurants serving up classic sumo cuisine, live demonstrations, and the chance to step into the ring. We compare the options, to help you decide on your next meal-with-a-side-of-large-wrestler.
And yes, since you’re probably wondering: the sumo wrestlers at the restaurants are all real sumo wrestlers — they’re just retired.
Here for the tournaments and hoping to get tickets? Our complete Tokyo Sumo Guide has all the best tips and tricks.
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Our 3 favorite Tokyo sumo restaurants
Restaurant | Price | Food | “Sumo-ness” | Overall rating | Highlights | Where to book |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka | ¥15,500 | Tonkatsu and chanko nabe | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
|
Viator |
Asakusa Sumo Club | ¥30,000 | Chanko nabe | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
|
Klook |
Sumoland Tokyo Ryogoku (our top choice) | ¥16,000 | Chanko nabe and mochi | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
|
Viator |
We visited each of these three sumo restaurants, and rated them on the following:
- Price: What we paid for the experience. Ticket prices can vary a lot.
- Food: The meal and snacks provided.
- “Sumo-ness”: How authentic it felt. Or, how much sumo was there, really?
- Overall rating: A subjective score that reflects all these factors combined.
Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka
Oshiage
From ¥15,500
Buy tickets

If you’re just getting into the world of sumo and want to understand the basics, this show at Yokozuna Tonkatsu is a good pick. For a couple of hours, you can experience what it’s like to be a sumo wrestler — eating their cuisine, learning their training routine, and even challenging an opponent yourself.
What to expect
As soon as you’ve been seated, you can start enjoying your tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets), sukiyaki, or chanko nabe (classic sumo hotpot). Then the show begins.
Two retired sumo wrestlers will demonstrate their training rituals, while a presenter explains everything to the audience. After that, it’s time to see a fight. In between, the two sumo wrestlers keep things humorous.
Before the show ends, spectators can challenge one of the sumo wrestlers — don’t worry, they’ll go easy on you. After your “fight”, you can take a commemorative photo together.
Summary
The Yokozuna Tonkatsu sumo restaurant experience is ideal for sumo enthusiasts and visiting families alike. It offers a great balance of authentic sumo elements, like the training demonstration, and fun, show-style entertainment.
Asakusa Sumo Club
Asakusa
¥16,000 to ¥60,000
Buy tickets

Although we worried the show might be gimmicky, it turned out to be great fun. It’s especially recommended for children, who can dress up and take photos with the sumo wrestlers at the end. Okay, adults can too, but it definitely felt kid-friendly throughout.
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What to expect
This experience is tailored to tourists. The wrestlers are personable and know how to work the crowd, joking with each other and putting on quite the show — which comprises both training moves and matches. You’ll get a tasty hotpot meal and a drink, plus a bonus geisha dance performance.
The energetic English MC peppers the experience with facts about the sport, meaning you’ll come away with a solid understanding of sumo culture. At the end, you get to take home a printed commemorative photo of you and the crew.
Summary
Asakusa Sumo Club leans into the show-style format, which makes it ideal for those looking to enjoy sumo in a more light-hearted and easy going way.
Pro tip: We recommend splashing out on the VIP experience, which includes a plush sofa seat next to the action — close enough that you’ll worry they’ll land in your hotpot.
Sumoland Tokyo Ryogoku
Asakusa
¥16,000
Buy tickets
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As the name suggests, Sumoland is the place to experience all things sumo culture. And yes, perhaps surprisingly, there is actually quite a lot of culture — we gave this place the highest authenticity rating.
Operated under the supervision of the 63rd yokozuna, Asahifuji (Oyakata Isegahama), and featuring the famous rikishi Terutsuyoshi Shōki — who participated in the demonstration during our visit — the experience is firmly rooted in authentic sumo tradition.
What to expect
The show lasts around 2 hours and includes a lot of good stuff. Soon after you’re seated, you’ll dig into chanko nabe, order drinks if you like, and help yourself to free rice.
As you eat, a lively MC breaks down the basics of sumo and introduces the wrestlers taking part. When we went, Israeli sumo-hopeful Yarden Yatkovski was there — different from the retired wrestlers, he is currently training at a stable.
As part of the mix, there’s a traditional mochi-pounding demonstration, which the audience is encouraged to participate in. The mochi (sticky rice cakes) made during this session is served later on.
After some serious mochi-pounding, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the sumo matches. The audience is able to step into the ring — practicing the training moves and even challenging a sumo wrestler themselves.
Before the show ends, there is time to get a photo with the wrestlers. As a farewell gift, you’ll receive a jolly decent souvenir, which during our visit included a tote bag, signed autograph, and a sumo-themed sports towel.
We appreciated that at the end of the show, the sumo wrestlers talked to and thanked everyone for visiting. Terutsuyoshi Shōki even took the time to shake each guest’s hand.
Summary
Fun meets authenticity at Sumoland. Definitely one of the most authentic and personal sumo restaurants on our list.
Other sumo restaurants in Tokyo
There are other sumo restaurants to choose from, too.
Asakusa Sumo Club Annex
Asakusa
Fancy eats and seats
¥30,000 to ¥50,000
Buy tickets

An extension of Asakusa Sumo Club, Annex offers a more luxurious VIP experience, with extremely plush sofas and high-quality cuisine. The menu is one of the main highlights, with A5-rank wagyu sukiyaki, tempura, and chanko nabe. Even better, it includes an all-you-can drink plan.
In this fancy setting, you’ll experience an immersive sumo show that covers sumo history, the training techniques, and then challenging a wrestler. Traditional dances add to the experience. You can take a photo with the sumo wrestlers, and receive souvenirs at the end.
This is one of the more expensive options on the list, but you’re paying for ultimate comfort and a feast.
Sumo Experience in Kiyosumi
Kiyosumi
Best for learning about sumo
From ¥25,600
Buy tickets
One of the more interactive options, this complete sumo experience in Kiyosumi offers the chance to truly step into the world of sumo and grasp its intricacies.
As well as seeing what a traditional sumo stable looks like, you’ll learn in-depth about the origin and culture of sumo. Through live demonstrations, you’ll observe how sumo wrestlers train, watch a match, and even have a go at fighting yourself.
A bonus is that you’ll get the chance to ask the wrestlers any burning questions you may have — further developing your sumo knowledge. Of course, at the end you can snap a photo of the sumo wrestlers. During the matches, you can sit back and relish in a hearty chanko nabe.
Another one that is great for both children and adults, this sumo experience is for those who want to watch sumo in a more traditional setting, while still getting some of those entertainment-style aspects. Think of it as a fun lecture into the world of sumo.
Stable Experience in Shin-Kawasaki
Kawasaki
Go behind the scenes on a guided tour
From ¥25,800
Buy tickets
Different from the other options on the list, this sumo experience in Shin-Kawasaki offers a rare opportunity to see a day in the life of a real sumo wrestler. Instead of focusing on food or a show format, it provides an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at various areas inside a sumo stable.
After touring the sumo dining room, bath, and practice area, you’ll have the chance to watch a sumo match. Additionally, you’ll get to join in the fun and learn some moves directly from the wrestlers themselves. There’s time for some photos together at the end and throughout the entire experience.
Don’t worry — you won’t leave feeling hungry. After working up an appetite, you’ll savor some delicious chanko nabe in the kitchen, feeling like a true sumo wrestler yourself.
Hana no Mai Edo Tokyo Museum
Asakusa
Book the whole restaurant for a private experience
From ¥110,000
Book here

By far the most expensive experience on this list — for good reason — this completely private sumo event gives you an exclusive opportunity to experience sumo culture with no crowds. Specifically designed for bigger groups, it’s a great option if you’re wanting to experience sumo culture with a sizable group of friends or family.
Conducted either in English or Japanese, the experience first starts off with an explanation about the history of sumo. Then, you’ll see firsthand a demonstration of sumo training, the most decisive moves, and the forbidden ones.
After learning, you can put your skills to the test and fight a former sumo wrestler. Following a special commemorative photo, it is time for some chanko lunch.
That’s not all though. As you eat, there will be a question-and-answer session where you can ask the wrestlers anything about sumo culture. In our opinion, this is one of the best aspects of this private experience. It’s not often that you get to interact so personally with sumo wrestlers, and find out more about them and the traditional sport.
Note: the ¥110,000 is a base fee that covers renting out the entire restaurant. It is then an additional ¥12,000 per person.
Bonus: Sumo show in Osaka
Tokyo isn’t the only place you can find sumo restaurants — Osaka also offers a few fun sumo experiences. Here’s one we recommend:
The Sumo Hall Hirazuka Osaka
Namba
Theatrical sumo
¥14,500 to ¥18,000 (¥16,000 for the workshop)
Buy tickets

This evening-only sumo show is a theatrical performance of note. It’s different from most of the other sumo restaurants. The organizers describe it as “an experiential sumo-themed entertainment show”, so expect a few gimmicks, along with dynamic sound, lighting, and striking visuals.
Before the show starts, you can dig into a Japanese bento and glug down a drink (or two). As an extra treat, a professional Rakugo (a style of Japanese comedy) storyteller will deliver a performance in English. Then, visual effects will transport you through time, back to the start of the sumo tradition.
Through a bit of comedy, you’ll learn about the rules and techniques of the sport. Then it’s time for the main event — the sumo matches. This is when the energy is at its highest, with the crowds cheering each wrestler on. At the end, audience members (selected by a lottery), will have the chance to go head-to-head with one of the sumo wrestlers.
If you want something less intense, there’s an afternoon workshop that allows you to learn the basics of sumo from a former sumo wrestler himself. In addition to watching matches, you’ll get to step into the ring and try basic training techniques.
Just like during the show, you can also “fight” a sumo wrestler and enjoy some chanko nabe. It’s a great option for who can’t go to the evening show.
Sumo restaurants FAQs
Do you need to book a sumo restaurant in advance?
Yes. Sumo restaurants are popular in Japan, and shows can sell out. There is no guarantee you will get a booking on the day, so it is recommended you book 1-4 weeks in advance.
Are sumo restaurants authentic?
While sumo restaurants are fun, they aren’t as authentic as visiting a sumo stable — but you can’t really compare the two. It’s best to treat the restaurants and stables as separate sumo experiences.
Are the restaurants family-friendly?
Yes, most sumo restaurants are family-friendly and there are opportunities for kids to dress up and challenge the wrestlers. Just check about show times and rules before booking, to be 100% sure. Children often pay less than adults.
Are there vegetarian options?
There are vegetarian options available at some of the sumo restaurants, with advance booking. One example is Yokozuna Tonkatsu in Tokyo. Another is Asakusa Sumo Club.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.