2026 Summer Nagoya Sumo Tournament Tour Photos

Sumo, Castles & Coastal Japan on This Summer Adventure

What a summer to remember! Our 2026 Summer Nagoya Sumo Tournament Tour brought us through some of Japan’s most captivating destinations — from Wakayama Castle and the dramatic coastal cliffs of Kushimoto to the fascinating world of Ama free divers in Toba and the grandeur of Nagoya Castle. The highlight? Two unforgettable days cheering on our favorite wrestlers at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, plus a very special visit to Musashimaru’s stable where we got to meet the legendary Hawaiian-born Yokozuna himself! We also painted our own Noritake mugs as a keepsake being shipped straight to Hawaii. A big mahalo to Tour Manager Bryan Wauke for taking care of this group!

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We had a wonderful Chinese dinner at the hotel when we arrived in Kansai.

Chinese Dinner at Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport

Our first full day on tour. Group in the hotel lobby.

Our first stop was at Wakayama Castle.

Gorgeous views from the castle.

Then a fabulous bento lunch at Ganko.

Ganko bento

We then visited the Ota Kyusuke Miso Factory and then a shoyu factory.

Our next hotel stay was the Nanki-Shirahama Marriott. The 11 floor had an onsen with beautiful picturesque views of Kanayama Bay.

The next day, we visited the umeboshi factory. There were 16 different ume flavors to sample. Including mango and strawberry. Needless to say, a lot of ume was purchased.

After a stop at the Toretore seafood market for lunch on our own, our tour guide Eriko made a special stop for us to see Engetsu Island.

We then visited Senjojiki or “one thousand tatami mats”, which is a vast, multi-tiered sandstone rock plateau.

Then Sandanbeki. The waves were so strong, we were unable to visit the caves there.

We were able to see the Hashigui-iwa Rocks with another special stop requested by our local guide Eriko.

Then a sukiyaki lunch at Onigajo.

After a stop at Toba Ichibangai for souvenir shopping, we went to Mikimoto Pearl Island to see the Ama divers.

Bronze statue of Mikimoto Kokichi, the pioneer of pearl cultivation, located on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba, Japan.

The pearl museum there was incredible. Below is the liberty bell adorned with pearls.

We then checked in to our incredible rooms at Toba International Hotel.

We visited the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu Shrine), the most important Shinto Shrine in the country.

After shopping at Okage Yokocho Street, we went to Hachiman Kamado.

The Ama divers cooked fresh seafood for our lunch.

Then to Toba Aquarium where we watched the sea lion show and visited the different areas of this large aquarium. Long line to see the otters but well worth it.

Then dinner at Toba Kokusai Hotel.

We traveled from Toba to Nagoya to see the Nagoya Castle.

Then we ate a Hitsumabushi (unagi) lunch that was enjoyed by all.

Then the Toyota Automobile museum.

Our long-awaited sumo tournament! Photo with some sumotori after their match.

Aonishiki at the opening event, the Ukranian Ozeki wrestler.

The IG arena was completely filled.

At dinner last night, we celebrated a birthday.

We had a day of leisure. Our guide Eriko took all of us to watch Musashimaru’s sumo wrestlers practice.

After the practice, Musashimaru invited our group in to talk story.

This boy from Hawaii will be making his sumo debut in September.

Musashimaru was so nice to spend time with our group. After our meeting, all tour members went shopping or to meet friends.

Ema boards, small, rectangular wooden plaques sold at shrines and temples with prayers, wishes, or expressions of gratitude written on the backside.

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2026 Summer Nagoya Sumo Tournament Tour Photos

Sumo, Castles & Coastal Japan on This Summer Adventure

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Explore more adventures in our photo and video galleries below!