Annual Tournaments in Tokyo
In Japan, six official professional sumo tournaments, called honbasho, are held annually. These tournaments take place during every odd-numbered month in four major cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
Tokyo hosts three of these tournaments:
- January Basho (Hatsu Basho): The New Year tournament, held in January.
- May Basho (Natsu Basho): The Summer tournament, held in May.
- September Basho (Aki Basho): The Autumn tournament, held in September.
You can find more information about the remaining sumo tournaments at the following link: The 6 Great Sumo Tournaments!
The Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan
All three Tokyo tournaments take place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. This venue is widely regarded as the spiritual home of sumo wrestling and a cultural landmark. The arena has a seating capacity of about 11,000 people, offering both box seats and arena seats. Inside, you’ll also find a Sumo Museum that displays artifacts related to sumo’s history, including items from famous wrestlers. The current Ryogoku Kokugikan was inaugurated in 1985, replacing the original Kokugikan, which was located nearby and opened in 1909.
The Ryogoku district of Tokyo, where the venue is located, is filled with references to sumo. You can find souvenirs related to Sumo, Chanko Nabe restaurants and sumo training stables that allow visitors to watch early morning practice sessions (though advanced arrangements are usually required).
What to Expect
Matches start with lower-ranked wrestlers in the morning and gradually progress to higher-ranking bouts in the afternoon, culminating in matches between the top-ranked wrestlers, the Yokozuna (grand champion), usually after 4 PM.
Matches are short but intense, often lasting just a few seconds, as the goal is to push the opponent out of the ring or make them touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet. Spectators enjoy traditional snacks and beverages during the event, including bento boxes and chanko nabe, the hearty stew eaten by sumo wrestlers. The crowd is lively, especially during the final bouts, cheering on their favorite rikishi (wrestlers).
Sumo tournaments are as much about rituals and culture as they are about the matches. To learn more check our post about 10 Sumo Rituals you must know to enjoy a Sumo Tournament.
You can also check our post about A Day in a Sumo Tours with an Expert Tour Guide.
Check also our tours.
