Ryogoku and a Sushi Class in One Day

Ryogoku is Tokyo's sumo town. It sits on the east bank of the Sumida River, a short ride south of Asakusa, and it is home to the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo hall, the Edo-Tokyo Museum, the Sumida Hokusai Museum and many restaurants serving chanko nabe, the hot pot associated with sumo wrestlers. For visitors interested in old Tokyo, it pairs naturally with Asakusa, and the two fit into one day with a sushi class in the middle.

This guide covers what to see, how to get between the two areas, which days to avoid, and two simple ways to build the day. It is a planning guide, not a live timetable, so check opening hours and a route app before you go.

What to see in Ryogoku

Ryogoku Kokugikan. The national sumo hall hosts three of the six annual grand sumo tournaments, in January, May and September. In 2026 the Tokyo tournaments ran in January, May and from 13 to 27 September, so there is no tournament in October, November or December. Outside tournament periods you can still see the building, and the small Sumo Museum inside is free. It is generally open on weekday afternoons and closed on weekends, national holidays and between exhibitions; during tournaments it is open only to people attending. Check the current hours before you plan around it.

Edo-Tokyo Museum. After a closure of about four years, the museum reopened on 31 March 2026. It tells the story of the city from the Edo period onwards with large models, life-sized reconstructions and street scenes. It is open from 9:30 to 17:30 (until 19:30 on Saturdays), with last entry 30 minutes before closing, and it is closed on Mondays (or the following day when Monday is a public holiday). Entry to the permanent exhibition is 800 yen, and the museum is a few minutes' walk from Ryogoku Station.

Sumida Hokusai Museum. A modern museum dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai, the artist behind The Great Wave, who was born in this part of Tokyo. It is open from 9:30 to 17:30 with last entry at 17:00, and closed on Mondays (or the following day when Monday is a holiday). It is about a five-minute walk from Exit A3 of the Toei Oedo Line's Ryogoku Station, or about nine minutes from the JR station.

Kyu-Yasuda Garden. A small, free Japanese garden around a pond next to the sumo hall. From October to March it closes at 18:00. It is a quiet place for a short break between museums.

Chanko nabe. Many restaurants in Ryogoku serve this hot pot of vegetables, seafood and meat. It is a filling meal, which matters for planning: see the meal note below.

Notice that both museums close on Mondays. If your free day is a Monday, Ryogoku is a weaker choice; one of our other day plans may suit it better.

Getting between Asakusa and Ryogoku

Toei subway via Kuramae. Take the Toei Asakusa Line one stop from Asakusa to Kuramae, then change to the Toei Oedo Line for one stop to Ryogoku. The transfer at Kuramae is above ground and takes about five minutes on foot between the two platforms, and you do not need a new ticket. The whole trip takes roughly 15 minutes. At Asakusa, Toei Asakusa Line Exit A5 is about a five-minute walk from our studio.

JR via Asakusabashi. Alternatively, take the Toei Asakusa Line two stops to Asakusabashi and change to the JR Sobu Line for one stop to Ryogoku. This route arrives at the JR station, which is closer to the sumo hall.

On foot. In good weather you can walk, partly along the Sumida River walkway. Allow about 40 minutes. On the way you pass Kuramae, which our guide to Kuramae and a sushi class describes.

The quickest walk to the studio is from the North Exit of Tobu Asakusa Station, about 30 seconds. Our guide to getting from Asakusa Station to the sushi class and the access page show each route.

Build the day around the class

The class has a fixed start time; Ryogoku is flexible. Book the class first, then decide which half of the day goes to Ryogoku.

Our signature sushi and matcha class takes about 90 minutes. You learn to prepare sushi rice and make nigiri and maki in English, eat what you made as a full meal, toast with sake (water or green tea is available instead) and finish by whisking matcha. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start.

Because the class is a real meal, do not put a chanko lunch and the class back to back. Choose one as your main meal and keep the other side of the day light. Our guide to planning meals around a sushi class helps with that.

Plan A: Asakusa first, Ryogoku in the afternoon

• Morning: walk around Senso-ji and Nakamise before the busiest hours. Our guide to Senso-ji and a sushi class on the same day suggests a route.
• Late morning or midday: the sushi class, which doubles as lunch.
• Afternoon: travel to Ryogoku. Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum or the Hokusai Museum, then the garden. Remember the museums' last entry times.
• Evening: if you are hungry again, chanko nabe for dinner in Ryogoku.

Plan B: Ryogoku in the morning, sushi in the afternoon or evening

• Morning: start at the Edo-Tokyo Museum or Hokusai Museum when they open at 9:30. On a weekday, the Sumo Museum may also be open later in the day.
• Midday: a light lunch rather than a full chanko meal.
• Afternoon: walk or ride back to Asakusa, allowing a generous margin before the class.
• Late afternoon or evening: the sushi class as your main meal.

If a delay looks likely, contact us with your reservation details as soon as you can. A message does not automatically move the start time or change the cancellation terms, so build the margin in from the start.

Practical tips

• Days: avoid Mondays for the museums, and weekends or holidays if the Sumo Museum is a priority.
• IC cards: a Suica or PASMO card works on all the lines above.
• Weather: the museums make Ryogoku a good rainy-day choice. Our rainy-day Asakusa plan covers the Asakusa side.
• Another nearby pairing: Tokyo Skytree is also a short ride from Asakusa; see our Skytree and sushi class guide if you want a view rather than a museum.

Before you book

Choose a day when the Ryogoku sights you want are open, then pick the class time that fits Plan A or Plan B. Check live sessions and the current price on the signature class page. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the class, and you can mention any dietary needs when you book.