Sumo Show with Chicken Hot Pot Dinner & Geisha Dance Asakusa Tokyo
- DurationAbout 2 hours
- Open onDaily
- Meeting pointShow your ticket at the sumo restaurant at 2-10-12 Asakusa, Taito (main venue) or 2-11-7 Asakusa (annex behind it), depending on the option booked
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Overview
This sumo show in Tokyo takes place in a sumo restaurant in Asakusa, built around a real clay ring. The evening or afternoon opens with a traditional dance by geisha in kimono, followed by demonstrations of sumo training exercises, the rules and techniques of the sport with live English and Japanese commentary, and a best-of-three match between retired professional wrestlers. Brave guests can step into the ring to challenge a wrestler. Throughout the show you enjoy all-you-can-eat chanko nabe chicken hot pot with Japanese dishes and one drink, and leave with a printed photo and a souvenir set. The default option is a standard seat at the main venue, shared with other guests, lasting about two hours; transport is not included. An annex venue option is also available.
Highlights
- Traditional dance by geisha in elegant kimono
- Best-of-three match between retired professional sumo wrestlers
- Live commentary in English and Japanese explaining rules and rituals
- Chance to step into the ring and challenge a wrestler
- All-you-can-eat chanko nabe chicken hot pot with Japanese dishes
- Printed photo with the wrestlers and a souvenir set to take away
- Real sumo ring at the centre of an intimate restaurant in Asakusa
- Afternoon and evening shows, family-friendly from age 1
Full Description
Geisha Dance: the Opening of the Show
Before the wrestlers appear, the show opens with a traditional Japanese dance performed by geisha in elegant kimono. Geisha are professional entertainers trained for years in classical dance, music and conversation, and Asakusa is one of the few districts of Tokyo where a geisha community still works today, its traditions passed down since the Edo period.
The dance is short and graceful, accompanied by traditional music, and it sets a calm, ceremonial tone in contrast with the power of the sumo that follows. For many visitors it is their first chance to see geisha perform, and the small size of the venue means every seat has a clear view. The geisha also join the souvenir photograph at the end, which makes this pairing of two Japanese traditions especially memorable.
The Asakusa Sumo Show and Wrestler Challenge
Sumo is said to be as old as Japan itself, and this Asakusa sumo show explains how it has evolved over the centuries. Retired professional wrestlers demonstrate the morning training exercises of a sumo stable, from the high-legged shiko stamp to pushing drills, then show classic techniques and the do's and don'ts of the ring, while the commentator translates everything into English and Japanese.
The climax is a best-of-three match between the wrestlers, fought on a real dohyo at the centre of the room so you feel the impact from your seat. Afterwards guests are invited to challenge a wrestler themselves; spots are limited per show and chosen by lottery when many people volunteer. It is an entertainment show designed for adults and children alike, not a training session at an active stable.
All-You-Can-Eat Chanko Nabe Chicken Hot Pot
Chanko nabe is the everyday meal of sumo wrestlers, a hearty hot pot of broth, vegetables, tofu and meat designed to build strength. Here it is made with chicken, the traditional choice in the sumo world because a chicken stands on two legs, just as a wrestler must never touch the ground with his hands. The pot is served all-you-can-eat during the show, together with other Japanese dishes and one drink.
Eating while the wrestlers perform a few metres away is part of the charm. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be prepared if you tell us at least two days in advance. Halal and gluten-free meals are not available at this venue, but guests with those needs are welcome to bring their own food. Additional drinks can be ordered and paid on the spot.
Asakusa, Senso-ji and the Sumida River
Asakusa is the most traditional district of central Tokyo, centred on Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, founded in 628. Visitors pass beneath the giant red lantern of the Kaminarimon gate and walk up Nakamise-dori, a street of stalls selling rice crackers, sweets and crafts, before reaching the main hall and five-storey pagoda. Across the Sumida River rises Tokyo Skytree, and just downstream lies Ryogoku, the heart of professional sumo.
How to get to Asakusa: the Ginza and Asakusa subway lines and the Tobu railway all stop at Asakusa Station, a short walk from the venue. The best time to visit Senso-ji is early in the morning or after dark, when the temple is illuminated, so the 15:00 show fits neatly after a morning at the temple, while the 20:30 show follows an evening stroll beneath the lanterns.
Itinerary
- Arrive at the venue in AsakusaShow your ticket at the sumo restaurant at 2-10-12 Asakusa, Taito, shortly before your 15:00 or 20:30 show, and take your seat.
- Geisha danceThe show opens with a traditional dance by geisha in kimono.
- Sumo demonstrations and commentaryWatch training exercises and techniques with bilingual explanations while your chanko nabe is served.
- Best-of-three matchRetired professional wrestlers face each other in a live best-of-three bout.
- Wrestler challengeSelected guests step into the ring to challenge a wrestler.
- Photo and souvenirsPose for a printed photo with the wrestlers and geisha and receive your souvenir set; the show lasts about 2 hours in total.
What's included
- Live sumo show with bilingual English and Japanese commentary
- Traditional Japanese dance by geisha in kimono
- Best-of-three match between retired professional sumo wrestlers
- Chance to step into the ring and challenge a wrestler (lottery if many volunteers)
- All-you-can-eat chanko nabe chicken hot pot and Japanese dishes
- 1 drink
- Printed souvenir photo with the wrestlers and a souvenir set
Not included
- Additional drinks
- Meals, seats and souvenirs for infants
- Transport to and from Asakusa
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Food lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Not suitable for
- Babies under 1 year
Meeting point
The show takes place at the sumo restaurant at 2-10-12 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo, a short walk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza and Asakusa subway lines and the Tobu railway. Please arrive about 15 minutes before your show (15:00 or 20:30) and show your ticket at the entrance. If you book the annex option, the venue is at 2-11-7 Asakusa, directly behind the main restaurant, so please check which address is on your confirmation. Transport is not included.
Important information
- Check your confirmation for the right venue: the main restaurant or the annex behind it.
- You may be seated together with other guests at shared tables.
- Vegetarian and vegan meals must be requested at least two days in advance.
- Halal and gluten-free meals are not available; you are welcome to bring your own food.
- The wrestler challenge is limited and decided by lottery when many guests volunteer.
- Wheelchair-accessible seating is limited, so tell us at the time of booking.
- Souvenir contents may vary with the season.
- This is a family-friendly entertainment show, not a morning practice session at a stable.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared show: you have your own seat, but you may share a table with other guests.
How long does it take?
About 2 hours, including the geisha dance, the sumo show, the challenge and the photo.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The venue is a short walk from Asakusa Station, which is easy to reach by subway from central Tokyo.
What is included?
A standard seat at the main venue, the live sumo show with bilingual commentary, the geisha dance, all-you-can-eat chanko nabe chicken hot pot with Japanese dishes, one drink, the chance to challenge a wrestler, a printed photo and a souvenir set.
Is the price per person or per group?
The ticket is priced per person. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is it suitable for children or guests with reduced mobility?
Yes, the show is designed for families and welcomes children from 1 year old. Wheelchair-accessible seating is limited, so please tell us when booking.
What should I bring?
A camera, your ticket on your phone, and your own food if you need a halal or gluten-free meal.
Which show time is best?
The 15:00 show pairs well with a morning at Senso-ji, while the 20:30 show makes a relaxed dinner after a day of sightseeing. The show runs all year.
What happens in bad weather?
The show is held indoors, so it goes ahead in any weather.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date, time and venue option in the booking panel. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes.
Is there a halal meal at the sumo show?
No halal meal is prepared at this venue, but you may bring your own food and still enjoy the full show.
Is the annex venue different from the main venue?
The show content and meal are exactly the same; the annex simply sits directly behind the main restaurant and has a different interior.
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