Rikishi, oyakata, tokoyama, and Yokozuna. If these Japanese words mean anything to you, then you are likely a super sumo fan. Like any popular sport, it’s expensive to see your favorite athletes compete – and actually meeting and chatting with them seems like a distant dream. This is not so different for Japan’s national sport of sumo, with 13,000 fans at each tournament cheering for their favorites, you are just one in the crowd.
But, of course everyone wants more – more chances to take pictures and more chances to meet your favorite stars. Well, if you have nothing else planned for December, right now is your last chance to sign up for the Grand Sumo Cruise! Just be ready to open up your wallet!
A cruise vacation is nothing like a lame, land vacation. On a cruise, the meals are provided, the entertainment is free and you’re never more than 100 ft away from an ocean front view. One luxury liner, the Hicho II, has teamed up with the Japan Sumo Association to create Japan’s first national sport themed cruise! This is your chance to rub elbows with some of the most popular rikishi (sumo wrestlers), coaches, referees, hairdressers and up-and-coming sumo wrestlers! We are talking about superstars like current Yokozuna, Hakuho, and fan-favorite Ozeki, Kisenosato.
This special cruise is going to pack in tons of amazing sumo related programming, such as talk shows featuring coaches and ranking sumo wrestlers, sumo seminars, and viewings of famous historic sumo bouts. The Hicho II even has a sumo-themed song they will show off, along with a lottery and on-board auction featuring a ton of sumo related items! There will even be a huge giveaway featuring seats for the upcoming sumo tournament in January 2015 at the Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
But won’t the ship land sometime and make its passengers choose between sumo and exotic locale? Don’t worry, the ship won’t make port during the cruise, so there will be nothing to distract you from the sumo goodness! And, to get everyone pumped up for a couple of days of intense sumo fun, there is an early morning practice viewing and sumo stew lunch even before the ship leaves port!
▼This hearty meal is packed with protein to give you that sumo wrestler physique.
If you are ready to sign up, you’ll want to hear some of the finer details first. This cruise will only be a 3 day, 2 night adventure, a pretty short trip by usual standards. Rooms will start at 115,000 yen (US$1,093) and go all the way up to 520,000 yen ($4,942). It may seem like a high price for such a short cruise, but no price is too high to get that close to Hakuho!
▼Dreamy!
The cruise will depart from Yokohama Port on Wednesday, December 10, and arrive back on Friday, December 12. Your last chance to sign up for this cruise will be at the special PR booth at the Ryogoku Sumo Hall during the September tournament. Can you afford to miss this unique “sumopportunity”?
Cruise Details:
Dates: December 10 (Wed) – December 12 (Fri), departure and arrival the Yokohama Port
Cost: 115,000 yen – 520,000 yen (2 people applying for one room pay for just 1 adult.)
Special Details: The huge ticket giveaway is for matches in the January tournament.
Source: Japaaan Magazine
Images: Asuka Cruise, Wikipedia (Nesnad), Wikipedia (FourTildes)
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Japanese government to allow desecration of flags on kids’ meals
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese government to allow desecration of flags on kids’ meals
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino