Sumo wrestler working on his look
Photo: Ofer Amram
Minister Herzog receives robe
Photo: Sasson Tiram
Sumo wrestlers land in Israel
Japanese fighters set to eat hummus, visit Western Wall, take dip in Dead Sea and perform in Caesarea
Every two years sumo wrestlers leave Japan, and this time they chose to visit Israel. Thirteen huge fighters from a "stable" called Sadogatake landed in Israel Saturday night as guests of the Tourism Ministry.
They met with Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog Sunday morning, and the enthusiastic minister declared that "the State of Israel has been waiting for this moment for a long time." He estimated that "once the visit is over, everyone in Israel will love the sumo sport."
Shopping in Tel Aviv (Photo: Ofer Amram)
The visit is being held under the banner "Love, Comradeship and Peace," and is aimed at "promoting and strengthening the relations between Israel and Japan, and promote tourism between the two countries," a Tourism Ministry official explained.
During the visit, which will last for about a week, the wrestlers are expected to east hummus in the Arab village of Abu Gosh, visit the Western Wall, take a dip in the Dead Sea and meet with President Moshe Katsav.
Will visit enhance tourism?
The wrestlers will also hold a special training session on the Tel Aviv beach and visit children hospitalized in central Israel. A sumo performance will be held at the Caesarea Amphitheatre on Wednesday.
Me and the guys. Tourism minister with Japanese wrestlers (Photo: Sasson Tiram)
Japan's Ambassador to Israel Jon Yokota expressed his hope that the sumo team's visit to Israel will enhance tourism between the two countries, and the head of the Sadogatake delegation was thankful for the cooperation and announced that the team would make every effort to satisfy the Israeli people.
On Sunday, accompanied by the Japanese ambassador and future sumo wrestlers, the wrestlers arrived at the Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv, where they visited different stores, tried on sunglasses and jewelry, and looked for clothes to fit their huge sizes, but to not avail.
