Sumo Shows in Kyoto: 2 Venues Where Former Rikishi Perform Bouts in English, and How to Choose
Kyoto does not host a honbasho (an official professional Grand Tournament organized by the Japan Sumo Association), so watching official bouts means traveling to Osaka or another host city. Instead, two venues in the city offer sumo shows where former rikishi (sumo wrestlers) perform bouts right in front of you and explain the action in English.
The two venues, Kyoto Sumo Beya and Sumo An Kyoto, differ in their programs, food, and atmosphere. Below are four points to consider when choosing the one that best fits your itinerary and travel companions, along with an Osaka venue that offers daytime shows and answers to common questions.
Contents
- Sumo Shows vs. Grand Tournaments (Honbasho)
- Two Places to See a Sumo Show in Kyoto
- Worth the Trip from Kyoto: Sumo Studio Osaka
- 4 Things to Compare When Choosing a Sumo Show
- Comparing Kyoto’s Two Sumo Show Venues and Sumo Studio Osaka
- FAQ: Common Questions About Sumo Shows in Kyoto
- Choosing a Sumo Show for Your Kyoto Trip
Sumo Shows vs. Grand Tournaments (Honbasho)
Many visitors start looking for sumo in Kyoto only to discover, often with some confusion, that no honbasho takes place there. The Grand Tournaments are official competitions held six times a year, for 15 days each, in four cities—Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka—and Kyoto is not among them. Osaka hosts the Spring Tournament (Haru Basho) every March, so if you visit the Kansai region in March, attending a honbasho is another option. In some years, the Provincial Tours (jungyo), during which rikishi travel around the country between tournaments, stop in Kyoto, but these visits are irregular and last only one day.
Kyoto’s sumo shows, by contrast, feature retired professional rikishi and top-level amateur sumo wrestlers who perform bouts while explaining the rules and etiquette. Audience members can also step onto the dohyo (the sacred circular clay ring where bouts take place) and grapple with a rikishi. These shows are separate events from the honbasho run by the Japan Sumo Association, and the table below compares the two.
| Comparison | Sumo Show | Grand Tournament (Honbasho) |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Year-round, almost daily | 15 days each in odd-numbered months (none held in Kyoto) |
| Rikishi | Former rikishi and top-level amateur sumo wrestlers | Active professional rikishi |
| Viewing distance | A few meters from the dohyo | Most seats are some distance away, except for a few near the dohyo |
| Commentary language | English | In-venue announcements mainly in Japanese |
| Audience participation | Step onto the dohyo and grapple with a rikishi | Watching only |
| Ticket availability | Bookable online; last-minute bookings possible if seats remain | Popular days can sell out soon after release |
Bouts at sumo shows are unofficial demonstrations designed to showcase techniques and back-and-forth exchanges. The performers are nonetheless rikishi who have trained for years on a real dohyo. From just a few meters (roughly 10 feet) away, you can clearly feel the force of their shiko (the ritual of raising one leg high and stamping it firmly into the ground to drive away evil spirits) and hear the thud of bodies colliding at the tachiai (the initial charge that starts a bout).
With no honbasho held in Kyoto, a sumo show is a way to see live bouts without leaving the city.
Hands-OnGet hands-on with sumo in Osaka
Watch former professional sumo wrestlers demonstrate authentic sumo techniques. Learn the history, rituals, and rules of Japan’s national sport, then step into the ring for a hands-on sumo experience in Osaka.
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Two Places to See a Sumo Show in Kyoto
Two venues in Kyoto currently host sumo shows. Both combine a meal with sumo, but they differ in staging, show length, and seating, so it helps to compare their features before booking.
Kyoto Sumo Beya: A 2-Hour Show with All-You-Can-Eat Chanko-Nabe and a Geisha Dance
Kyoto Sumo Beya opened in December 2025 as a sister venue of Asakusa Sumo Beya in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is on the 5th floor of the Passaggio building on Shinkyogoku Shopping Street (a covered arcade in central Kyoto lined with souvenir shops and restaurants). The venue is a three-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station and a seven-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station. This makes it easy to visit after shopping along Shijo.
The venue runs four 2-hour shows a day, with seating arranged around a central dohyo. The program opens with a dance by a geisha (a female entertainer who performs dance and music at banquets), followed by Tora Tora, a traditional ozashiki asobi (a party game played by geisha and guests together). The show then moves into demonstrations of sumo training exercises, an explanation of the rules, a best-of-three series of bouts between former rikishi, an audience sumo challenge, and a Q&A session.
The price includes all-you-can-eat food centered on chanko-nabe (a hearty hot pot eaten from a shared pot, part of the rikishi’s daily diet) and all-you-can-drink beverages, including alcohol, so you can eat and drink while watching the show.
Details
| Address | Passaggio 5F, 525-1 Higashigawa-cho, Shinkyogoku Takoyakushi-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto |
| Hours | 12:00 pm–2:00 pm / 3:00 pm–5:00 pm / 6:00 pm–8:00 pm / 9:00 pm–11:00 pm (4 shows daily) |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Official Website | https://kyoto-sumo.com/ja/ |
| Recommended For | Travelers who want dinner, sumo, and a geisha dance in one outing; those who want to watch at midday or late at night |
Hours can change by season. Please check the official website before visiting.
Sumo An Kyoto: Bouts by a Former Top-Division Rikishi and Kyoto-Style Chanko-Nabe
Sumo An Kyoto offers sumo demonstrations by former rikishi and high-level amateur wrestlers, along with hands-on experiences for the audience. The 56-seat venue opened in March 2026 and is located on the first basement floor of the Kyoto Shimbun Trust Building. It is about a 1–3-minute walk from Exit 6 of Marutamachi Station and about a 3–5-minute walk from the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
After the demonstration by former rikishi, selected audience members enter the dohyo and face off against a rikishi. Up to eight people can participate. The official website currently lists three show slots: 12:00 pm–2:00 pm, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm, and 9:30 pm–11:00 pm.
Sumo An Kyoto offers two pricing plans. The meal plan includes Kyoto-style chanko-nabe, rice, karaage (Japanese fried chicken), pickles, fruit, and one drink. The drink-only plan is for guests who want to watch the show without the meal and is available with general seating only.
In addition to general seating, the front row and upper center sections offer horigotatsu tables (low Japanese-style tables with a sunken floor space for your legs) and sofa seats. Your view of the dohyo depends on where you sit, so you choose your seat when booking.
Details
| Address | Kyoto Shimbun Trust Building B1F, 260 Makieya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto |
| Hours | 12:00 pm–11:00 pm (3 shows daily: 12:00 pm–2:00 pm / 6:00 pm–8:00 pm / 9:30 pm–11:00 pm) |
| Closed | No regular closing days |
| Official Website | https://www.sumoan-kyoto.com/ |
| Recommended For | Travelers who want to watch bouts by a former makuuchi (top-division) rikishi in a relaxed setting; those who want to choose their type of seat |
Hours can change by season. Please check the official website before visiting.
Worth the Trip from Kyoto: Sumo Studio Osaka
The two Kyoto venues mainly hold shows from midday onward, with evening performances especially common. If you want to see sumo in the morning, Sumo Studio Osaka is another option, about an hour by train from Kyoto Station with one or two transfers. The venue is directly in front of Exit 4 of Hanazonocho Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line, and staff wearing shirts that read “SUMOTORI” greet guests at the exit, making it easy to find even for first-time visitors.
The biggest difference from the two Kyoto venues is the schedule. Sumo Studio Osaka holds five shows a day, with the first starting at 10:00 am. Each show lasts 90 minutes and does not include a meal. This works well if you would rather have dinner in Kyoto or if you have dietary restrictions. Drinks and snacks are available at the in-house bar for an additional charge. Same-day bookings are accepted if seats remain available. Evening shows are popular, so daytime performances are a more reliable option if you want to avoid crowds. Staff can also store suitcases and other large luggage during the show, making the venue convenient if you are traveling from Kyoto to Osaka that day.
The program and commentary are entirely in English, and the venue has up to 53 unreserved seats, with every guest seated just a few meters from the dohyo. The show opens with an introduction to the history and culture of sumo. Former professional rikishi, including a former juryo (the second-highest division, just below makuuchi) wrestler, then demonstrate training exercises, kimarite (winning techniques), and prohibited moves.
After a single bout between the former rikishi, the second half, which lasts about 30 minutes, is devoted to the Sumo Challenge. Volunteers can step onto the dohyo and grapple with a rikishi, before the show concludes with a photo session with the performers. Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the start, and you can change to another date and time if space is available.
Details
| Address | Hanazonocho AI Building 1F, 1-5-1 Asahi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka |
| Hours | 10:00 am–11:30 am / 12:30 pm–2:00 pm / 3:00 pm–4:30 pm / 5:30 pm–7:00 pm / 8:00 pm–9:30 pm (5 shows daily); ticket counter 9:00 am–10:00 pm |
| Closed | Open year-round (including the New Year holidays) |
| Official Website | https://sumowrestlingshow.jp/ |
| Recommended For | Travelers who want to see sumo during the day; those stopping by on the way from Kyoto to Osaka; those who want flexibility with meals |
Hours can change by season. Please check the official website before visiting.
Hands-OnGet hands-on with sumo in Osaka
Watch former professional sumo wrestlers demonstrate authentic sumo techniques. Learn the history, rituals, and rules of Japan’s national sport, then step into the ring for a hands-on sumo experience in Osaka.
4 Things to Compare When Choosing a Sumo Show
All three venues let you watch former rikishi perform up close, but they differ in show times, meal options, seating, and the conditions for stepping onto the dohyo. Compare these four points before booking.
1. Show Times and Duration
Shows that include a meal take about two hours and can easily overlap with dinner or evening sightseeing plans, so the time slot you choose can shape the rest of your day. Show times at each venue are as follows.
| Venue | Show Times | Shows per Day | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Sumo Beya | Start at 12:00 pm / 3:00 pm / 6:00 pm / 9:00 pm | 4 | About 2 hours each |
| Sumo An Kyoto | 12:00 pm–2:00 pm / 6:00 pm–8:00 pm / 9:30 pm–11:00 pm | 3 | About 2 hours or about 1.5 hours |
| Sumo Studio Osaka | Start at 10:00 am / 12:30 pm / 3:00 pm / 5:30 pm / 8:00 pm | 5 | About 90 minutes each |
With four shows from midday to late night, Kyoto Sumo Beya is easy to fit around your itinerary. You could catch a midday show and stroll around Gion in the evening, or finish sightseeing first and head to the 9:00 pm show. Sumo An Kyoto holds three shows a day at 12:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 9:30 pm, with the 6:00 pm show fitting naturally into dinnertime.
Sumo Studio Osaka’s shows are shorter at 90 minutes, and the 10:00 am show ends before noon, leaving the afternoon free for sightseeing.
The fewer shows a venue holds, the faster popular time slots tend to fill up. If you wait until you arrive in Kyoto to book, you may find that nothing is available that day, so booking as soon as your dates are set is the safer choice.
2. Food and Dietary Restrictions
Food varies widely from venue to venue. Kyoto Sumo Beya’s price includes all-you-can-eat food centered on chanko-nabe and all-you-can-drink beverages, including alcohol. Sumo An Kyoto, by contrast, offers a choice between a Kyoto-style chanko-nabe set with one drink and a drink-only plan.
| Venue | Food | Dietary Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Sumo Beya | All-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink, centered on chanko-nabe (no food at the 9:00 pm show) | Request vegetarian or vegan meals at least 2 days in advance |
| Sumo An Kyoto | Kyoto-style chanko-nabe set + 1 drink, or 1 drink only | Contact by email after booking about vegetarian or vegan meals |
| Sumo Studio Osaka | No meal (drinks and snacks available at the bar) | Outside food and drinks allowed |
Kyoto Sumo Beya does not provide halal meals (food prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary law) or meals for guests with severe allergies, and its booking site asks guests with these needs to bring their own food. If you have complex dietary requirements, check what the venue can accommodate before booking.
Because Sumo Studio Osaka does not include a meal, you can fit some Osaka food-hopping in before or after the show. Osaka is packed with shops selling takoyaki (balls of wheat batter filled with octopus) and kushikatsu (bite-sized ingredients skewered and deep-fried), so choosing where to eat can be surprisingly difficult.
If you’d like to explore Osaka’s food culture as well, the Osaka Guided Food Tour (12 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries) is one option. An English-speaking guide takes you to local eateries, allowing you to sample a range of Osaka flavors without spending time choosing restaurants. See the full list of food tours run by Japan Guide Star.
Osaka: Guided Food Tour with 12 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries
12 unique Japanese dishes for the first time • Skip the tourist traps and visit Izakaya -Japanese casual drinking restaurants • Street food featured in the Michelin Guide
3. Dohyo Experience: Number of Participants and Requirements
Whether you can step onto the dohyo and grapple with a rikishi, and how many people can participate, depends on the venue. Kyoto Sumo Beya limits the number of participants and holds a lottery if many guests volunteer. At Sumo An Kyoto, up to eight selected audience members per show can take part. At Sumo Studio Osaka, up to eight volunteers can step onto the dohyo to challenge a rikishi, with a lottery if more than eight people want to participate.
For safety reasons, the dohyo experience may not be available in the following situations:
- After drinking alcohol: At Sumo Studio Osaka, however, guests can still step onto the dohyo to pose for photos
- Children who do not meet the age or size requirements
- Pregnant guests: At Sumo Studio Osaka, watching is still possible
If you want to grapple with a rikishi, hold off on drinking until after the dohyo experience. Even at Kyoto Sumo Beya, where drinks are unlimited, saving your toast until after the bouts means you can step straight onto the dohyo if you are selected in the lottery.
Sumo Studio Osaka is wheelchair accessible, and even if you only watch, you still get a close view of the bouts.
Hands-OnGet hands-on with sumo in Osaka
Watch former professional sumo wrestlers demonstrate authentic sumo techniques. Learn the history, rituals, and rules of Japan’s national sport, then step into the ring for a hands-on sumo experience in Osaka.
4. Location and Atmosphere
Kyoto Sumo Beya is in the lively Shinkyogoku district, within walking distance of Gion. Its show opens with a geisha dance and ozashiki asobi, making it a good fit for travelers looking for colorful, distinctly Kyoto-style staging.
Sumo An Kyoto is a 56-seat venue in a quieter area near the Kyoto Imperial Palace. With a choice of sofa seats, horigotatsu seats, and other seating options, it also suits families and groups who prefer to sit around a table.
Sumo Studio Osaka has up to 53 unreserved seats, all close to the dohyo. Its small size creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere where you can interact with the rikishi.
If you plan to walk around Gion before or after Kyoto Sumo Beya, consider pairing your visit with Japan Guide Star’s Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour. With a local guide, you can explore streets lined with ochaya (teahouses where geisha entertain guests at banquets), visit shrines, and walk through Gion’s back alleys that can be difficult for tourists to find on their own.
The meeting point is near Shijo Ohashi Bridge, within walking distance of Kyoto Sumo Beya. The tour lasts about two hours and departs several times a day from morning to evening. You could watch the 3:00 pm show and then join the 6:00 pm tour to explore Gion at dusk, or take the 9:00 am tour around Gion before heading to the 12:00 pm show.
See the full list of Japan Guide Star tours in Kyoto.
Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour
Chance to Spot a Geisha • Visit a 1,000-Year-Old Shrine • See Edo-Period Townhouses
Comparing Kyoto’s Two Sumo Show Venues and Sumo Studio Osaka
The table below compares the three venues across seven points worth checking before you book, followed by suggestions for choosing a venue based on your plans.
| Item | Kyoto Sumo Beya | Sumo An Kyoto | Sumo Studio Osaka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Show times and frequency | Start times 12:00 pm–9:00 pm; 4 shows daily | Start at 12:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 9:30 pm; 3 shows daily | Start times 10:00 am–8:00 pm; 5 shows daily |
| Duration | About 2 hours | About 2 hours (about 1.5 hours for the 9:30 pm show) | About 90 minutes |
| Nearest station | 3-min walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station | Marutamachi Station (Exit 6) | Directly in front of Exit 4, Hanazonocho Station |
| Seating capacity | Not listed on the official website | 56 seats | Up to 53 (unreserved seating) |
| Meals | All-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink, centered on chanko-nabe (except the 9:00 pm show) | Kyoto-style chanko-nabe set, or drinks only | None (outside food allowed) |
| Vegetarian options | Request at least 2 days in advance | Contact by email after booking | No food served |
| Dohyo experience and cancellation policy | Limited spots, lottery if oversubscribed / Free cancellation up to 24 hours before | Up to 8 selected audience members / Varies by booking site (e.g., free up to 24 hours before the booked time) | Volunteers, up to 8 (lottery if oversubscribed) / Free cancellation up to 24 hours before |
For dinner and distinctly Kyoto-style staging in one outing, Kyoto Sumo Beya combines a geisha dance with all-you-can-eat chanko-nabe. For watching bouts by a former makuuchi rikishi from a comfortable seat, Sumo An Kyoto is an option. For daytime viewing, a stop on your way to Osaka, or flexibility with meals, Sumo Studio Osaka offers more scheduling freedom.
Sumo Studio Osaka takes bookings through its official website, where you choose a date and time, and evening shows tend to fill up fastest. Once your travel dates are set, check availability early.
Hands-OnGet hands-on with sumo in Osaka
Watch former professional sumo wrestlers demonstrate authentic sumo techniques. Learn the history, rituals, and rules of Japan’s national sport, then step into the ring for a hands-on sumo experience in Osaka.
FAQ: Common Questions About Sumo Shows in Kyoto
These are some of the questions that often come up before booking a sumo show in Kyoto.
Who Are the Rikishi in the Shows?
At Sumo An Kyoto, the performers include former rikishi, and selected audience members can try sumo themselves. At Sumo Studio Osaka, former professional rikishi who belonged to the Japan Sumo Association perform the show, with English commentary, demonstrations, bouts, and the audience-participation Sumo Challenge.
Can I Enjoy the Shows Without Speaking Japanese?
Yes. All three venues run their shows in English, explaining sumo’s history and rules as well as the meaning behind rituals such as shio-maki (scattering salt to purify the dohyo).
Can Children Join?
Yes. At Kyoto Sumo Beya, children aged 2–11 pay the child rate, while children 1 and under are free. At Sumo Studio Osaka, guests aged 0–17 pay the child rate.
However, children may not be allowed to participate in the dohyo experience depending on their age and size. If your child wants to take part, check the participation requirements before booking.
Can I Take Photos and Videos?
At Kyoto Sumo Beya, VIP seat holders can take commemorative photos with the rikishi on the dohyo, while photography is also allowed from general seats. The booking site mentions photos with the geisha, but it is worth confirming the conditions when booking or with staff on the day.
Sumo Studio Osaka, a separate venue in Osaka, allows guests to post photos and videos on social media and encourages them to mention “SUMO STUDIO” or similar.
Is There a Dress Code?
There is no dress code, so you can wear whatever you are comfortable wearing for sightseeing. You will take off your shoes for the dohyo experience, so shoes that are easy to slip on and off and comfortable clothing are recommended.
Can I Drink Alcohol While Watching?
Yes. Kyoto Sumo Beya offers all-you-can-drink beverages, while Sumo An Kyoto includes one drink, with additional drinks available for purchase. However, you may not be allowed to participate in the dohyo experience after drinking. If you want to grapple with a rikishi, save your drinks until after the experience.
Can I Visit the Osaka Sumo Show as a Day Trip from Kyoto?
Yes. To get from Kyoto Station to Hanazonocho Station, take the JR Special Rapid Service to Osaka Station, walk to Nishi-Umeda Station, and transfer to the Yotsubashi Line. The journey takes roughly one hour, including transfers and waiting time.
Hanazonocho Station is the closest station to the venue. From there, Namba is two stops away, or four stops from Nishi-Umeda on the Yotsubashi Line.
Hands-OnGet hands-on with sumo in Osaka
Watch former professional sumo wrestlers demonstrate authentic sumo techniques. Learn the history, rituals, and rules of Japan’s national sport, then step into the ring for a hands-on sumo experience in Osaka.
Choosing a Sumo Show for Your Kyoto Trip
If you want to see sumo in Kyoto, sumo shows offer bouts by former rikishi and other performers with English commentary. Depending on the venue and plan, you can also enjoy a meal such as chanko-nabe. Choose Kyoto Sumo Beya for dinner with distinctly Kyoto-style staging, or Sumo An Kyoto to watch bouts by a former makuuchi rikishi from a comfortable seat. Whichever you choose, booking early helps secure your preferred time.
If you’d rather watch during the day or stop by on your way to Osaka, Sumo Studio Osaka, with five shows a day, is another option. Show times and meal arrangements are the quickest way to narrow down the choice for your itinerary. At all three venues, the dohyo is close enough to give you a clear view of the action.
Hands-OnGet hands-on with sumo in Osaka
Watch former professional sumo wrestlers demonstrate authentic sumo techniques. Learn the history, rituals, and rules of Japan’s national sport, then step into the ring for a hands-on sumo experience in Osaka.
