Fukuoka Morning Sumo Practice and Hakata Old Town

Get a behind-the-scenes look at real sumo training during Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament season. Watch wrestlers practice rituals and techniques in an authentic setting, with your guide explaining sumo's history, traditions, and the dedication it demands. Important Information This is a genuine training session for professional wrestlers, not a staged event. Wrestlers train daily, but schedules can shift due to weather or tournament timing. If training is cancelled due to something unexpected, you'll still enjoy the rest of the Hakata walking tour, plus a 15% refund. Explore Historic Hakata Old Town Stroll through Hakata's old town, where history meets modern life. Discover shrines, temples, and bustling streets, with stories of local festivals and traditions along the way — and learn how Hakata's role as a historic gateway to Asia shaped the region's identity.

1. 1

   Sumiyoshi Shrine

   45 min

   Step beyond the ticket booth and into the world of sumo. Before you take your seat to watch a live training session, your guide will walk you through what life is really like for a rikishi (sumo wrestler) — from the strict hierarchy of the stable (heya) to their daily schedule, diet, and the grueling training that shapes their bodies and discipline from a young age.

2. 2

   Canal City Hakata

   Pass by

   On the way, we'll pass through Canal City Hakata, one of Fukuoka's most distinctive shopping and entertainment complexes, known for its curving pastel-colored buildings and the canal running through its center.

3. 3

   Kushida Shrine

   20 min

   We'll also stop by Kushida Shrine, Hakata's oldest and most revered shrine, founded over 1,000 years ago and known as the guardian shrine of the city. It's the spiritual home of the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, and you'll see one of the towering, elaborately decorated yamakasa floats displayed on-site year-round.

4. 4

   Tochoji Temple

   20 min

   A stop at Tochoji Temple to see the Fukuoka Daibutsu, Japan's largest seated wooden Buddha, plus its atmospheric "hell and paradise" underground passage.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.