Inside Japan’s Sumo Stables: The Hidden World of Japan’s National Sport

What Exactly Is a Sumo Stable?

A sumo stable, or heya, is far more than just a training facility. It’s a complete living and training environment where wrestlers eat, sleep, train, and live together under the guidance of a stable master (oyakata). Think of it as part boarding school, part athletic facility, and part cultural institution.

Currently, there are approximately 45 active sumo stables in Japan, most concentrated in Tokyo’s Ryogoku district—the traditional heart of sumo wrestling. Each stable is run by a former wrestler who has achieved the rank of at least juryo (second-highest division) during his active career.

Stables vary in size from just a handful of wrestlers to over 30 members, creating tight-knit communities where senior wrestlers mentor juniors and everyone contributes to daily operations. This hierarchical structure reflects Japanese society’s emphasis on seniority and respect for experience.

Daily Life Inside a Sumo Stable

The daily routine inside a sumo stable would shock most Western athletes. Far from the scientifically optimized training programs of American sports, sumo training follows traditions that have remained largely unchanged for centuries.

The Morning Practice (Asageiko)

A typical day begins before dawn—usually around 5:00 AM. Lower-ranked wrestlers rise first to prepare the training area and assist with cooking. Training starts on an empty stomach, a practice believed to build mental fortitude and physical strength.

Morning practice (asageiko) is the most intense part of the day. It includes:

• Shiko – The iconic stomping exercise where wrestlers lift each leg high and stomp down, strengthening legs and improving balance
• Teppo – Pushing exercises against the stable’s wooden pillars
• Butsukari-geiko – Pushing practice where one wrestler pushes another across the ring repeatedly
• Moshiai – Practice matches that often continue until the stable master is satisfied

Training sessions typically last 3-5 hours without breaks, pushing wrestlers to their physical and mental limits. This grueling regimen is designed not just to build strength and technique, but to forge the mental toughness essential for competition.

The Crucial First Meal: Chankonabe

After practice comes the first meal of the day—the famous chankonabe. This protein-rich stew is specially designed to help wrestlers gain weight and recover from training. Loaded with meat, fish, tofu, and vegetables, a typical pot might contain enough food for ten ordinary people.

Junior wrestlers serve their seniors first, only eating after their superiors have finished. This meal is followed by a nap, which helps wrestlers gain weight by slowing metabolism immediately after consuming large quantities of food.

Afternoon Activities

Afternoons involve chores, additional training, or promotional activities depending on a wrestler’s rank. Higher-ranked wrestlers might make public appearances, while lower-ranked wrestlers handle cleaning, laundry, cooking, and other domestic duties.

This division of labor serves two purposes: maintaining the stable and teaching young wrestlers humility and service—essential qualities in Japanese culture.

The Strict Hierarchy Within Sumo Stables

Perhaps the most difficult aspect for Americans to understand about sumo stables is their rigid hierarchical structure. This system, while sometimes appearing harsh to Western eyes, is deeply rooted in Japanese concepts of discipline, respect, and group harmony.

The Oyakata (Stable Master)

At the top of the hierarchy stands the oyakata, or stable master. A former wrestler himself, the oyakata has complete authority over the stable and its members. He is responsible for training, discipline, wrestler development, and representing the stable to the Japan Sumo Association.

The oyakata’s wife, called the okamisan, often plays a crucial supporting role—managing the stable’s finances, cooking, and providing maternal guidance to younger wrestlers.

Sekitori vs. Wakaisho

Beneath the stable master, wrestlers are divided into two main categories:

• Sekitori – Wrestlers who have reached the salaried divisions (juryo and makuuchi). They enjoy privileges like private rooms, personal attendants, and freedom to marry.
• Wakaisho – Lower-ranked, unsalaried wrestlers who share rooms, perform chores, and serve as attendants to higher-ranked wrestlers.

This stark division creates a powerful incentive system. To gain comfort and status, wrestlers must succeed in competition—there are no shortcuts or special treatment based on potential.

Cultural Significance of Sumo Stables

Sumo stables represent far more than athletic training facilities—they are living museums of Japanese cultural values and traditions. Many practices within stables date back to Shinto religious rituals, including the purification salt thrown before matches and the ceremonial dohyo-iri (ring-entering ceremony).

The stable system preserves traditional Japanese values that are increasingly rare in modern Japan:

• Collectivism – Prioritizing group needs over individual desires
• Discipline – Enduring hardship without complaint
• Respect for hierarchy – Understanding one’s place and obligations
• Simplicity – Living with minimal possessions and distractions

In an era of technological distraction and comfort, sumo stables stand as deliberate anachronisms—places where young men voluntarily subject themselves to physical hardship and strict discipline in pursuit of excellence.

Modern Challenges and Evolution

Like many traditional institutions, sumo stables face significant challenges in the 21st century:

Recruitment Difficulties

Fewer young Japanese men are willing to endure the harsh lifestyle of a sumo stable when more comfortable career options exist. This has led to an increasing number of foreign wrestlers, particularly from Mongolia, Eastern Europe, and Hawaii.

Modernization vs. Tradition

Some stables have begun incorporating modern sports science and nutrition while trying to maintain traditional practices. This delicate balance between innovation and preservation creates tensions within the sumo world.

Public Scrutiny

High-profile incidents of hazing and corporal punishment have brought unwelcome attention to some of the harsher aspects of stable life. The Japan Sumo Association has implemented reforms to address these concerns while preserving the essence of the stable system.

Visiting a Sumo Stable as a Tourist

For travelers interested in experiencing this unique aspect of Japanese culture, some stables do permit visitors to observe morning practice sessions, though access is limited and requires proper etiquette:

• Arrange visits through a Japanese intermediary or tour company
• Observe silently without photography (unless explicitly permitted)
• Dress modestly and remove shoes when entering
• Bring a small gift (omiyage) as a token of appreciation
• Follow all instructions from stable staff

Several tour companies in Tokyo specialize in arranging respectful visits to morning practice sessions, offering a rare glimpse into this normally closed world.