The article I linked to says that Morning practice sessions do take place (to some degree) at some of the Sumo Beya whilst tournaments are taking place.

I'm putting it out there as a possible option. That was the whole point of my original post - consider going to practice and not an actual match.

The fact that the training/practice is less rigid and intense during tournament times may (perversely) make it an even better option for a family than would be usual.

Definitely go. It's a must in Japan. It does help to know the basic rules of sumo and who the top wrestlers are, but aside from that it's easy to show up and enjoy. It is true that Ryogoku Kokugikan arena isn't super comfortable, but you can do two hours there no problem.

I'd suggest getting your tickets from Jeff at Sumo tickets or directly depending if you don't get a family box. This supplier seemed much more expensive.

Sure there are many Sumo Beya (相撲部屋) today and there are some Sumo Beya with no Rikishi (力士, Sumo wrestler) qualified for the tournament. Such Sumo Beya will have morning practice as usual during the tournament.

You are recommending OP to see B League Sumo wrestlers practice rather than go see actual tournament of A League Sumo wrestlers. You think Sumo is too much for 10 and 12 years old? There is no problem for 10 years old to see Monday Night Raw or MMA Fight, but Sumo is too much for 10 years old?

My wife and I are going to Japan the first week of November 2016 and want to attend a Sumo wrestling match. Are there still Sumo matches to watch/attend at that time? Don't know if it's seasonal like baseball, etc.

Yes. No. And no opinion.

The impression I am getting here is that you have never attended an early morning Sumo practice session.

Perhaps you should.

There are six tournaments every year. Three are in Tokyo (Jan, May, and Sept), one each in Osaka (Mar), Aichi (Jul), and Osaka (Nov). In my five years stationed in Japan, I regret never getting down south to catch a tournament. Being 400 miles north in Misawa it was difficult getting down to Tokyo. Nowadays it is much easier now that the Shinkansen goes into Hachinohe.

Not quite. The November Grand Sumo tournament is in Fukuoka (Kyushu.) It runs from Nov. 13 -27. So, unfortunately no tournament in the first week of November. It would even be difficult to see a practice since most of the rikishi will already be down in Fukuoka in their temporary quarters.

OK given all the input it looks like we will see a sumo match. So my next question is, if we buy the "A" category seats, rather than the boxes, will we have a decent view? If the answer is no then we will buy a box. I agree with the concern that the kids may be bored with the sumo but the trip is not only for them.

If you are interested in seeing the top-level guys, they enter just before 4:00 pm for the colorful dohyo iri and fight until 6:00 pm. From 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm the next division down will fight. Called juryo, they are equivalent to AAA minor leagues in American baseball. In the morning, the even lower divisions fight. They are often rookies who are starting out.

The highest ranked rikishi, the ozeki (champions) and yokozuna (grand champions) are always the last to fight, roughly from 5:20-6:00 pm. There are currently 4 ozeki and 3 yokozunas, although one of the ozekis is in danger of demotion unless he has a winning tournament next month. The yokozunas generally fight in the last 3 matches of the evening unless, of course, they are facing one another. In the second week, the top guys will all start fighting each other, which makes for some exciting matches late in the day.

As mentioned above, the day for the top division starts with the dohyo iri and the yokozuna's appearance and ends after the last match with the short "bow twirling" demonstration. These are rituals that always take place and many in the audience watch and enjoy them almost as much as the fights.

The "A" stadium seats are bleacher seating in the top few rows of the long sides of the stadium. They are pretty high up and quite a ways from the ring. Many who sit there to save money often bring opera glasses or binoculars.

Definitely worth going. Get the best seats you can. The wrestlers are incredible athletes which you don't really appreciate from watching on TV.

Why would one do that when the Sumo Official website sells tickets without the large fee.

I understood that the "A" seats were the closest seats to the front (further away/higher than the boxes but closer than the "B" and "C" seats) - please clarify.

Oops. Sorry, I was inadvertently looking at a map of the Nagoya arena instead of the Kokugikan in Tokyo where you will be. You are correct, the "A" arena seats will be the best you will get without going to a box. I prefer sitting on the east side as that is the direction the gyoji (referee) faces when announcing and starting the matches.

So will these seats have a decent view or not? I can splurge for a box but would be more comfortable in a chair and would prefer to save a bit of cash.