Catching a sumo tournament isn't always easy in Japan. But it is possible to sit in on the wrestlers' morning practice?
Sumo stables —
Catching a sumo tournament isn't always easy in Japan. But it is possible to sit in on the wrestlers' morning practice?
Junko Kimura/Getty Images
Sumo wrestlers live in a handful of designated stables, or beya, where they eat, sleep, and train. Their practice starts at around 5 a.m. and if visitors call in advance they can watch the showdown for free.
Tokyo's beya —
Sumo wrestlers live in a handful of designated stables, or beya, where they eat, sleep, and train. Their practice starts at around 5 a.m. and if visitors call in advance they can watch the showdown for free.
Toshi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images
Training sessions usually last about three hours. Visitors should not distract the wrestlers by talking or moving around too much. Even taking a bathroom break is frowned upon, as it breaks the wrestlers' concentration.
The rules —
Training sessions usually last about three hours. Visitors should not distract the wrestlers by talking or moving around too much. Even taking a bathroom break is frowned upon, as it breaks the wrestlers' concentration.
Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images
Sometimes spectators will be offered a pillow, sometimes they won't.
Hard seats —
Sometimes spectators will be offered a pillow, sometimes they won't.
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images
The best time to visit the stables (there are about 12-15 around Tokyo's Ryogoku neighborhood) is during the two weeks leading up to a tournament.
Training times —
The best time to visit the stables (there are about 12-15 around Tokyo's Ryogoku neighborhood) is during the two weeks leading up to a tournament.
Junko Kimura/Getty Images
Though sumo wrestlers are big, and can look scary, they're "softies," says Mark Buckton, editor of<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sumofanmag.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> Sumo Fan Magazine</a> and the sumo columnist for Japan Times. They're almost always open to having a photo taken, he says.
Photo friendly —
Though sumo wrestlers are big, and can look scary, they're "softies," says Mark Buckton, editor of Sumo Fan Magazine and the sumo columnist for Japan Times. They're almost always open to having a photo taken, he says.
Keith Tsuji/Getty Images