From happy customers

Loved by 48 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Guillaume MULLER
FR

Guillaume

France
Oct 2025

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We had an excellent evening. The food was outstanding, the service efficient and pleasant, and the experience with the sumos unique.
ANCELIN Nathalie
FR

Ancelin

France
Jan 2026
I could discover a little part of the daily life of the sumotori, rules of a fight, attend small fights . When the sumotoris were on the stage it was good. The voice of the lady who moderated the show was unbearable : too high, too hectic. Food was average. My table mates were pleasant. It was a good introduction of the sumo world.
Lars Karl-Anders Gustafsson
SE

Lars

Sweden
Sep 2025
A pleasure to watch one of the premier sports events in the world! The guide also went around the arena and explained the finer points of sumo. A great experience!
Vanessa Sejdini
BE

Vanessa

Belgium
Sep 2025
Yes, the guide and the tournament made the experience even more exceptional. I'll always have this day engraved in my mind.


What to expect at Grand Sumo Tournament, Tokyo

Sumo wrestlers in a ring ceremony at a Fukuoka tournament.
Sumo wrestler performing ritual at Tokyo tournament.
Wrestlers competing in Fukuoka Sumo Tournament arena.
Spectators watching a sumo match at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
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Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium

Three of Japan’s six official Grand Sumo Tournaments are held in Tokyo — all at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the spiritual home of sumo. This iconic stadium, with its sweeping green roof and 11,000-seat capacity, hosts 15-day tournaments every January, May, and September. From ceremonial ring entrances to explosive, seconds-long bouts, it’s the ultimate place to experience Japan’s national sport live and loud.

See ancient rituals

Every match is steeped in tradition — from the salt purification to the referee’s elaborate robes. Before each bout, wrestlers perform age-old rituals rooted in Shinto practice, adding drama and meaning to every movement. It’s a rare chance to see centuries-old customs performed on a massive modern stage.

Afternoon showdowns with the top wrestlers

While matches run all day, the real drama begins in the late afternoon when the top-ranked wrestlers enter the ring. These final showdowns are full of tension, power, and theatrical intensity, often ending in seconds but remembered for much longer.

Perfect for families and kids

A sumo tournament in Tokyo is perfect for anyone curious about Japan’s deepest traditions and rawest sporting spectacle. Whether you’re a first-time visitor craving a truly local experience, a culture lover drawn to centuries-old rituals, or a solo traveler looking for something unforgettable, sumo delivers.

✔️ What’s included with your Tokyo Sumo Tournament tickets?

  • Official entry to a live sumo tournament in Tokyo
  • Reserved second-floor seat (B or C class)
  • Guided experience with an English-speaking sumo expert
Sumo wrestlers in a Tokyo arena during a tournament, surrounded by an audience.

About Ryogoku Kokugikan

Located in the heart of Tokyo’s sumo district, Ryogoku Kokugikan is the beating heart of Japan’s national sport. Opened in 1985, this iconic indoor arena seats over 11,000 fans and hosts three of the six annual Grand Sumo Tournaments — in January, May, and September.

Inside the venue, you’ll also find the Sumo Museum, showcasing centuries of history, legendary wrestlers, and ceremonial attire. Whether you're a sumo fan or a curious traveler, attending a tournament here is a rare chance to experience Japanese culture in its most powerful, authentic form.

Plan your visit

Entrance to Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium in Tokyo, featuring traditional architecture.

Address: 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0015

Find on Map

How to reach?

1. By Car: The Ryogoku Kokugikan is 16 km from the city centre, it will take 31 min via Route 4.

2. By Train/ metro: Take a train to Ryogoku station which is 230 metres away from the Ryogoku Kokugikan. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 3-minute walk

Chanko Nabe lunch with rice and fried cutlet in Tokyo.
  • Arrive early: Sumo tournaments are punctual, and it’s respectful to be seated before the matches begin. Doors open hours before the top-division bouts, so arrive early to explore the venue and watch lower-rank matches.
  • Dress respectfully: There’s no strict dress code, but neat, modest attire is appreciated. Avoid large hats or hairstyles that block others’ view.
  • Stay quiet during ceremonies: Avoid talking, eating noisily, or moving around during purification rituals are solemn moments.
  • No flash photography or loud videos: Photos are allowed, but flash or video lights distract both wrestlers and spectators.
  • Avoid shouting or heckling: Support your favourite rikishi (wrestler) with polite applause — loud chants or whistling are considered disrespectful.
  • Don’t change seats mid-bout: Matches are short, and any movement can block someone’s view or distract from the moment.
  • Food inside the arena: At large tournaments like Ryōgoku Kokugikan, you can bring or buy bento, snacks, and drinks. But in smaller shows or close seats, eating may be restricted — check venue rules.
  • Alcohol: Sipping beer or sake quietly is fine, but excessive drinking or rowdy behaviour is frowned upon.
  • No approaching wrestlers: Wrestlers are considered revered athletes — don’t ask for selfies or touch them inside the arena. You can sometimes meet retired wrestlers at fan events instead.
Sumo wrestlers and referee in traditional attire at Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament.
  • Go early, stay late: Lower-division matches start from morning, and crowds build up toward the main bouts in the afternoon — perfect if you want a full-day experience.
  • Try the food: Don’t miss chanko-nabe, the wrestlers’ signature stew, sold around Ryōgoku and even inside Kokugikan.
  • Souvenir alert: Grab a sumo towel, miniature mawashi, or fan with wrestler portraits — they sell out fast during tournaments.
  • Mind your seat: If you’re in box seating, shoes come off before stepping onto the tatami — comfy socks recommended!
  • Stay for the rituals: The ring-entering ceremony (dohyō-iri) and salt-throwing are as iconic as the fights themselves.
  • Watch the warm-ups: Arriving early lets you see wrestlers stretching, stomping, and psyching up — it’s part of the charm.
  • Photo etiquette: Snap away, but no flash — and definitely no selfies with wrestlers mid-match.
  • Explore after the show: Walk around Ryōgoku for museums, shrines, and sumo-themed restaurants — it’s like a living tribute to the sport.

Frequently asked questions about Sumo Tournament in Tokyo

The Tokyo sumo tournament is one of Japan’s official Grand Sumo Tournaments, held three times a year — in January, May, and September — at the legendary Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena. It's the spiritual home of sumo and a cultural icon in the heart of Tokyo.