Sumo has evolved over 2,000 years from a ritual dance involving a man wrestling with a kami (divine spirit), to a popular spectator sport. Yet the element of religious ritual still governs both the sport and the lives of the wrestlers. This exclusive experience takes you inside one of Tokyo’s sumo stables to watch the wrestlers at morning practice, witnessing first-hand the intensity of the training and learning more about the lifestyle of those involved in this ancient sport. Weight gain is an essential part of training and wrestlers consume up to 10,000 calories a day. After the practice session, you have the chance to share with the wrestlers their traditional chanko nabe lunch. This is a hearty stew full of energy and nutrients, served in a large hotpot in the middle of the table, making this a sociable occasion during which you can ask them all about their lives and careers.