Experiencing the Unique Culture of Tokyo, Japan: From Sumo Wrestlers to Cats Cafes
- That's How We Travel
- Mar 8, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 6, 2025
Summary. On this second day in Tokyo, we watched a traditional Japanese Sumo Tournament, a "must-do" while in Japan. After the 3-hour event, we spent the evening in Akihabara district known for its Japanese Anime stores and events. Here, we had a fun stop at a Cate Cafe where we played with adorable cats while enjoying a cup of coffee.
[This blog is part of a 15-days in Japan series].
Sumo. If your visit coincides with a Sumo event, experiencing this distinctive activity is essential while in Japan. Tickets are nearly unobtainable, so we opted for a tour company that included tickets. Small groups are organized, each with a guide to lead you through the Sumo experience. Although purchasing directly is preferable, tickets sold out within minutes of release, making this our only option, which was still worthwhile.
About Sumo. This national sport of Japan dates back to at least the 8th century and started as an agricultural ritual dance. Later in the Japanese Middle Ages, it developed into the sport it is known for today. The object of the match is to force the other out of the ring or cause the opponent to touch the ground inside the ring with any part of the body other than the soles of the feet.
Walking into the arena. After assembling at a hotel close to the stadium, our guide led us to the event, which was expected to last approximately 3 hours from beginning to end. The top wrestlers perform last, so be prepared to stay for the afternoon. Food and drinks are available for purchase inside the stadium.
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A significant portion of the event is ceremonial.
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Most matches are quick and end within seconds of starting.
After awhile some of us in our family starting placing intra-family bets, leading to hilarious "winnings," like a requirement to buy matching souvenir shirts (yes, for our college-age kids to wear).
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After the Sumo tournament, we traveled over to the Akihabara district known for Japanese anime.
Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan
Girls dressed in anime costumes filled the streets of Tokyo's flashy area.
Our favorite stop of the night was this Cat Cafe. We paid for a 30 minute visit, which includes drinks. The space is clean and modern, with plenty of room for visitors. The cats are rotated frequently and can leave the room anytime they want by walking through a tunnel to a private room. Japan's animal cafes are controversial in some circles, but we found this one to be lovely.
Spending time with these kitties was so much fun.
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Buy a treat stick to make a friend.
Afterwards, we went back to our neighborhood to have dinner at a Pakistani restaurant. We enjoyed it so much on our first visit that we returned again on another day!
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