Our Commitment to Clarity & Trust
Welcome to Sumo Sensei. We are dedicated to providing clear, transparent, and approachable information regarding our tour policies. Below, you will find our standards for privacy, cancellations, and terms of service, ensuring a professional and respectful relationship with our guests.
Cancellation & Deadlines
We aim to be as flexible as possible while respecting the schedules of the sumo stables and our small-group guides. Please review our policy below for tour cancellations and rescheduling.
Full Refund
Cancellations made 7 days or more before the scheduled tour date are eligible for a full refund, minus any non-refundable booking fees.
Partial Refund
Cancellations made between 3 to 6 days before the tour will receive a 50% refund. This helps us cover costs already committed to our partners.
No Refund
Cancellations made within 48 hours of the tour start time, or no-shows on the day, are not eligible for a refund.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
We understand that travel plans can change. Because our tours involve strict scheduling with sumo stables and limited tournament ticket availability, we maintain a clear policy regarding cancellations and refunds to ensure fairness to all our guests and partners.
Standard Morning Practice Tours
- Full Refund: Cancellations made at least 7 days before the tour date.
- 50% Refund: Cancellations made between 2 and 7 days before.
- No Refund: Cancellations made within 48 hours or no-shows.
Grand Sumo Tournament Tours
Due to the high demand and the non-refundable nature of official tournament tickets, bookings for tournament tours are final once tickets have been secured. We cannot offer refunds, but we can assist with booking transfers.
Weather & Stable Closures
How to Request a Refund
If a stable practice is cancelled unexpectedly or if a tour is cancelled due to extreme weather, we will offer a full refund or an alternative tour date immediately.
To request a refund, please contact us via our official email with your booking reference. Approved refunds are usually processed within 5-10 business days.
Cancellation & Booking Policies
We strive to provide an intimate and authentic sumo experience. Because our tours are limited to small groups and often involve pre-purchased tournament tickets or reserved stable visits, we adhere to the following policies to ensure fairness and quality.
Cancellation Timeline
- 72 Hours or More: Full refund of the tour price.
- 24–72 Hours: 50% refund of the tour price.
- Less than 24 Hours: No refunds are possible for cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time or for no-shows.
Tournament Tickets & Stable Visits
Please note that official Grand Sumo Tournament tickets are purchased specifically for your booking and are non-refundable once the booking is confirmed. For stable visits, we must respect the wrestlers' schedule; late arrivals may not be admitted once training has begun, with no refund issued.
Program Changes
In rare instances of tournament cancellation or stable closure by the Sumo Association, we will offer a full refund or an alternative date. We recommend all travelers have comprehensive travel insurance to cover unexpected delays or personal emergencies.