Q: Is it possible for tourists in Tokyo to watch a sumo practice session?
We will not be in Japan at the time of any scheduled matches, but we would love to watch the wrestlers work out.
A: According to the Japan Sumo Association, to which all the top sumo wrestling stables belong, permission to be present at a workout must be obtained from an individual stable. You would have to contact a stable -- preferably in Japanese -- and hope for the best.
If you are invited to watch, a strict code of behavior must be followed. Flash photography is not allowed, and neither is talking. The stables' rather solemn atmosphere probably reflects the quasi-religious nature of the sport, which involves a good deal of ritual and perhaps less than a minute's worth of action in each match. The sport's origins are connected with prophesies about the rice harvest and prayers for a good one.
Some stables are still based in Tokyo, but because of the city's high real estate and living costs others have moved just outside.
For a list of stables write to the Japan Sumo Association (Nihon Sumo Kyokai), 1-3-28 Yokozuna, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130, Japan; (81 3) 3623-5111, fax (81 3) 3623-5300.
Q: I would like to take my 10-year-old granddaughter to Vienna for five days over the Memorial Day weekend so she can see the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. How can I get information about the shows and training sessions?
A: During your time in Vienna there will be at least two performances, at 10:45 a.m. May 28 and 7 p.m. May 31, and a morning training session, with music and uniforms, at 10 a.m. May 27.
Written orders for performance tickets must be sent as soon as tTC possible to Spanische Reitschule, Hofburg, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. Ticket prices for the shows, which last one hour and 20 minutes, range from about $22 to $80 for seats to about $17 for standing room, calculated at 10 schillings to the dollar. Tickets are paid for when picked up at the box office.
Tickets for the morning training sessions with music are available through ticket offices and travel agencies in Vienna. They cost $22 plus a service charge, usually at least 22 percent.
A list of 10 such offices and agencies is included in a free leaflet about the Spanish Riding School and the Vienna Boys' Choir available from the Austrian National Tourist Office by calling (212) 944-6880.
The leaflet also includes the riding school's 1995 schedule, with performances from March 5 to Dec. 17 (the school is closed from July 1 to Aug. 27) and morning training with music from April 1 to Oct. 7.
There are also morning training sessions without music from February to December.
Tickets for these are about $8, $2 for children (no charge for children 3 to 6).
Q: I am trying to organize a family reunion in Hawaii for eight people for Christmas 1995. Where do I start looking for accommodations?
A: The first place to call would be the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, 2270 Kalakaua Ave., Level 8, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815; (808) 923-1811.