[NEW]Regional Tournaments of Sumo Wrestling / Himeji Castle and Kurashiki Tour

Sumo wrestling tournaments are basically held six times a year in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Kyushu. In addition to these, regional tournaments of sumo wrestling are held in local cities throughout Japan.
In this tour, you will watch the precious local tournaments held in various regions.

The tour will also visit two major tourist attractions in western Japan: Himeji Castle, Japan's first World Heritage site, and Kurashiki, with its Edo Period streets and beautiful riverside area lined with cafes and stores.

HIGHLIGHT

[itinerary]
Day 1: Shin-Osaka Station > Himeji Castle > Kurashiki (Ohara Museum of Art, Historical Canal Quarter, IVY Square)
Day 2: The City Tour* > Sumo Tournament > Shin-Osaka Station
*On the second day, the city tour will visit sightseeing spots tailored to each tour destination.

[schedule]
October 21 - 22 : Local Sumo tournament in Takamatsu
October 23 - 24 : Local Sumo tournament in Kochi
October 24 - 25 : Local Sumo tournament in Okayama
October 27 - 28 : Local Sumo tournament in Hiroshima

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

◆ Local Sumo tournament
Unlike regular tournaments, regional tournaments are characterized by a calm atmosphere and close proximity to wrestlers. You can communicate with the wrestlers waiting for their turn, and they are happy to take a commemorative photo or give you an autograph. Also, although it is a tour, everyone participates, so you can see the matches between famous wrestlers such as yokozuna and ozeki. You will surely be excited by the fierce clashes and dynamic throws between sumo wrestlers. You can fully enjoy sumo tournaments including the ceremonial demonstration by Yokozuna and the closing ceremony. In between each bout, there are also special events, which you cannot watch at the main tournaments. The regional tournaments of sumo have all the fun of sumo.

◆ Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle was the first castle in Japan to be designated as a World Heritage Site. It is a beautiful castle with a pure white plaster wall. It is also called Shirasagi (Egret) Castle, and when viewed from a distance, it is reminiscent of the graceful fluttering of white birds.
However, in reality, it is also a strong fortress with many layers of ingenuity for defense and attack in preparation for battle with the enemy. Come visit and experience the world of the mighty Samurai of 400 years ago.

◆ Kurashiki
The city of Kurashiki prospered as a port under the direct control of the government during the Edo period. Clusters of white-walled merchant houses were built along the canal drawn from the sea. After the Meiji period, as the spinning industry prospered, Kurashiki became a "textile town" with the largest annual shipment of textiles in Japan, and Western-style architecture increased, developing while combining "Japanese" traditions with "Western" technology. Kurashiki made efforts to preserve its architectural heritage even during the postwar period of modernization, resulting in the creation of the Canal area.

◆ The City Tour
You will visit the famous sights of each city for regional Sumo tournaments. Interpreter-guides who are familiar with the local area will guide you.

<Example of places to visit>
Takamatsu City: Ritsurin Park, a special scenic spot
Kochi City: Kochi Castle and its castle town
Okayama City: Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle
Hiroshima City: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, etc.)

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel your reservation, the following cancellation rates and remittance charge will be charged.
(1) over 15 days before to the program date: 10 % of the program fee
(2) 14 - 3 days prior to the program date: 50 % of the program fee
(3) 2 - 0 days prior to the program date: 100 % of the program fee