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Activity Information
The strongest athletes, sumo wrestlers!
Is anyone curious about why sumo wrestlers are so big? I’m sure many people think, “it seems like the weight would make it more difficult to move,” but in actuality, for a sumo wrestler, that weight is their strongest weapon.
According to our instructor, sumo is a unique sport. While a wrestler is young, putting on weight is more important than anything else and as he grows, the focus gradually shifts to improving technique to effectively utilize that weight. Apparently, it’s normal to eat 5 bowls of rice with each meal.
Sumo wrestling is considered a unique sport in that there are elements of spiritualism in its practices such as throwing salt on the ring, the shiko (single leg raise and stomp), and the matawari (full side split).
According to our instructor, sumo is a unique sport. While a wrestler is young, putting on weight is more important than anything else and as he grows, the focus gradually shifts to improving technique to effectively utilize that weight. Apparently, it’s normal to eat 5 bowls of rice with each meal.
Sumo wrestling is considered a unique sport in that there are elements of spiritualism in its practices such as throwing salt on the ring, the shiko (single leg raise and stomp), and the matawari (full side split).
▼Continue walking and you’ll arrive shortly at Active Square Daito’s main gate. From here, you should be able to see a green canopy. Under it is the sumo ring!
The experience will take place on the ring just outside. It was made by a professional and uses from the same dirt as the one in Ryogoku Kokugikan. While traditionally, only men were allowed into the ring, this one has no such restriction. Women are welcome too.
▼The ring is built to regulation, and just seeing that makes me excited to get started.
▼The ring is built to regulation, and just seeing that makes me excited to get started.
Before stepping into the ring, there’s a purification ritual.
First the instructor will go over the history of sumo and the content of the course. Pay attention to avoid injury.
▼Explanation of the sumo experience.
▼Explanation of the sumo experience.
Before we get started, we have to purify the ring. The first step is to throw salt on the ring. This is a very important step! It is said that the salt prevents evil spirits from entering. By warding these spirits, it is believed that the match will continue safely.
▼Purifying the ring with salt!
▼Purifying the ring with salt!
Upon entering the ring, there’s a traditional sumo ritual that has to be done. A technique known as shiko (single leg raise and stomp) is performed a few times to push out the evil already inside by using a wrestler's weight. Shiko is also done regularly as an essential part of training.
▼We all gave this a try as well, and it turned out to be much harder than it looks. Sumo wrestlers practice this about 100 times a day for their training. Wow!!
▼We all gave this a try as well, and it turned out to be much harder than it looks. Sumo wrestlers practice this about 100 times a day for their training. Wow!!
▼Our instructor then got into the ring, and showed us a bit of a sparring match! He was able to move his 100 kg plus opponent out of the ring in an instant. What power!
Get into a loincloth or bodysuit and become a sumo wrestler!
After the demonstration, you will be brought to the changing room where you can choose between a loincloth or bodysuit. I chose the loincloth and it was my first time wearing one. If I were to sum up my thoughts in a single word, it would be "Invigorating!" For most people, I think it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After you're changed, it's back to the ring. I felt like a true sumo wrestler, walking out for my first match, following the hallowed footsteps of those who came before me.
▼If you want be flexibile like a sumo wrestler, you’re going to have to stretch.
▼If you want be flexibile like a sumo wrestler, you’re going to have to stretch.
Warm up with some shiko reps. It looks much easier than it actually is. If you don't have good balance, or rarely use your legs, you're definitely going to feel it.
▼Once our muscles are loose, it’s onto practicing “suri ashi.” According to the instructor, this is said to be the strongest stance, which represents the body’s natural state.
Take on the instructor with everything you’ve got!
After warming up our bodies, it’s time to take on the instructor in a match. Muster all your strength and push him out of the ring! The rules of sumo are fairly simple. The first person to get pushed out of the ring or touch the ground with any part of the body besides the bottom of their feet is the loser.
▼Before taking on the opponent, we want to show that we have nothing concealed and that it'll be a fair fight.
▼Before taking on the opponent, we want to show that we have nothing concealed and that it'll be a fair fight.
▼Now, push with all your might!
▼Just a little more! Don’t give up!
▼After each match, don’t forget to bow to each other! It’s a show of appreciation to the opponent.
▼And of course, we can't end things without a group picture. Now those are the faces of seasoned sumo wrestlers.
After working up an appetite, it’s time for lunch!
Before we head to the dining room, we’re going to take a quick shower to wash off the sweat and dirt.
Towels are not included, so please bring your own. In case you forget, they do have small towels available for sale at a small fee.
▼They also have a large bathtub, but it’s not available for use during the experience.
Towels are not included, so please bring your own. In case you forget, they do have small towels available for sale at a small fee.
▼They also have a large bathtub, but it’s not available for use during the experience.
▼Now it’s finally time for lunch, Chanko Nabe! It’s a kind of hot pot sumo wrestlers often eat, and it’s just the best after a shower.
▼The ingredients are flavored with just a chicken-based broth. Chickens only touch the ground with their two feet, so it's a match made in heaven for sumo wrestlers!
▼It’s very simple to make. First, put in the ingredients that take the longest to cook like tofu, chicken, green onions, etc. Then you can just dump the rest in all at once.
▼After all the ingredients are in, put the lid on and wait for about 3 minutes. Everyone here’s hungry and can’t wait to dig in.
▼Chanko Nabe, ready to eat! As soon as the lids were lifted, everyone’s eyes were glued to the pots!
▼It was so good no one had time for words. (lol)
Filling Up!
Feel free to ask anything about sumo. The instructor will tell you all about the sport.
▼To finish things off, ramen! It may be a bit much for the average person, but after the sumo, you'll probably be hungry enough to eat it all.
▼To finish things off, ramen! It may be a bit much for the average person, but after the sumo, you'll probably be hungry enough to eat it all.
▼Lastly, we got a tour of the classrooms. Apparently, they're rented out for lectures and stuff. What a nostalgic sight! Seems great for seminars.
Final Thoughts!
The sumo experience was in my opinion, a very content rich course. I think this is probably for many, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can only be had in Japan. What I gained from this experience was an appreciation for the strength of a sumo wrestler’s spirit. While sumo became a sport back in the Edo period, there are descriptions that resemble it even in Japanese mythology. To be able to feel that Japanese spirit, this was a wonderful experience. I wholeheartedly recommend that you all give it a try too!
Last but not least, how to get there!
It takes approx. 25 minutes from Osaka Station to the closest train station, with a transfer at Kyobashi Station.
By taxi from major transit hubs it takes 35 minutes from JR Osaka Station, 40 minutes from Nara Station, 45 minutes from Kyoto Station respectively.
By taxi from major transit hubs it takes 35 minutes from JR Osaka Station, 40 minutes from Nara Station, 45 minutes from Kyoto Station respectively.
The closest station to the venue is the Nozaki Station on the JR Gakkentoshi Line. From JR Osaka Station, board the Loop Line and change trains to Gakkentoshi Line at Kyobashi Station.
After going through the ticket gate at Nozaki Station, turn left and take the staircase down the West Exit.
▼① View after turning left past the ticket gate ②Stairs down of the West Exit
After going through the ticket gate at Nozaki Station, turn left and take the staircase down the West Exit.
▼① View after turning left past the ticket gate ②Stairs down of the West Exit
▼③Continue straight along the roundabout ④ until you go under the overpass.
▼⑤Afterward turn right, ⑥ and turn left at the next crossing (approx. 100m after you turned right).
▼⑦Walk straight for another 100m ⑧ until you see the rear entrance of the Active Square Daito.
▼⑨Pass through the rear gate and you will see the entrance into the building. ⑩The reception desk for the experience is located on the right side next to the entrance.
