Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog: Great experience again! But this Sumo Tour really was so unique! ^^

By: Vanessa (2012/01/19 14:16) | Permalink

Share

Hello together,

yesterday we had our second Sumo Tour and it was really totally cool! ^^

We were a big group with around 30 people and everyone was ready to have a great Sumo tournament day :)

Like the last time, we headed together to Kokugikan Arena in Ryogoku, walked along Sumida-gawa and the weather was really so nice to us.

Yeah, after around 40 minutes walk with the best views, we arrived at Kokugikan Arena, where the beautiful coloured flags of the wrestlers welcomed us. ^^

Of course, we had to take a group picture there together! :D

After entering in the Arena, we eat chanko nabe, the traditional stew of the sumo wrestlers to build up strength. It's really healthy, tastes delicious and has much protein in it. While the last Sumo Tour, it was with curry flavour, this time it was sesame & salty flavour. Was so yummy! ^^

Feeling like little wrestlers after eating this delicious Sumo stew, we went to the small museum, which is inside the stadium, too, to look at the long tradition of Sumo, of ancient yokozuna and historic Sumo accessoires. Was really fascinating! ^^

And you can't imagine, how BIG this hand print was - maybe more than the double of my hand! :D

Time to get to the seats! ^^

We had a great view, I think...even we have the cheapest ones in the upper row for 2100 Yen :)

Of course, you can have seats closer to the ring - but they will cost more money (for example box seats in Japanese style on the first floor, which you can see on the picture) or the closest seats - the ringside seats for 14300 Yen per seat.

Then we watched some really interesting matches of new, younger or not so up in the rank wrestlers - but they where really exciting and thrilling! ^^

After that the second big round with the high ranked wrestlers getting started. But first, let's get them all in one ring. ^^
For me, seeing this really best Sumo wrestlers in the whole world together like this is a really big moment. I love that. ^^

Look at that, the traditional way of declaring the next round of matches is in the start. Yokozuna is in the ring. ^^

For you, I've summarized the best action pics now! ^^

This time something special happened. The referees came together in the middle of the ring to decide about an unclear match ending (who has touched the ground first?). ^^ I think, you couldn't often see that situation.

Ah..and did you know...between every fight, different singers sing the name of the wrestlers - like many Sumo Michael Buffers. ^^

Hehe, we had also two views of reality. One close real live view and a second angle view the TV Camera in the arena send out live! ^^ That was cool! :D

And there was an - was told to me - really famous older man with a golden hat. He would be famous for never missing an Sumo tournament (and maybe something more - but so sorry - I couldn't remember!) :D

Wow, time has flew by like nothing...so the fight, Steven-san and me were waiting so long, would start soon, our wrestler Baruto is entering the arena! ^^

As you can see, he didn't lost one single match the whole tournament!!! ^^
Maybe that's because our last Cheer up was so looooooouuuuuuuuud! :D

We give all for our Baruto! Really! ^^

But you surely want to know, how Barutos match has ended, right...it was so fast, but we make serial pictures for you! ^^

Great work, Baruto-san!
You give your best for Sumo and your fans. That's so great. Thank you! ^^

After this thrilling, but short match, it was time for big Yokozuna Hakuho.

Wow, how many flags there are for this match! Two rounds of flags! Every flag so much money extra to win! ^^

And then big Yokozuna wins his fight. He was really great! :)

And with the traditional bow dance, this tournament day should be over....

....so for the most people the tournament was over...but not for us. ^^

As you can read here, at our last Sumo Tour, we had a special mission. ^^

And this time, there was something special, too.
A really special and unique experience and only for our group of our Sumo Tour.

We had the chance to meet a high ranked wrestler!

That was soooo exciting! ^^

And you wouldn't believe, his hands were so soft! :)

But I'm really sorry. The details are all top secret.

But it's really true and happened for real.

I'll never forget that chance we get on this day.

Thank you so much. ^^

After this secret, but really soft and smiling experience, we made one last group picture and headed "home" :)