Sumo tournament tickets
Overview
Sumo wrestling is the ancient traditional sport of Japan and provides a fascinating and at times dramatic spectacle for anyone lucky enough to make it to a basho or tournament. Fights can be over in a matter of seconds as one wrestler hauls his opponent over the straw bales and out of the ring or thrusts him to the ground. Yet this does not make for a lack of excitement; the tension in the arena builds to a climax as the wrestlers engage in the ritual face off before each bout begins with a thunderous clash of heads. Despite their often gargantuan size these guys can move like ballerinas, pirouetting in the ring to circle the opponent or spinning on a six-pence to evade a violent thrusting attack.
Being able to see Japan's number one traditional sport in the flesh is a real highlight of any trip to Japan. We can arrange seats at any of the tournaments throughout the year, so if you are a keen sumo fan or just want to experience this truly Japanese event, be sure to time your trip to coincide with one of the main tournaments; if possible, the final week of the tournament when the action really hots up!
Two types of seating are available; masu seki which are tatami mat squares with four cushions for spectators to sit on (these are sold in groups of four tickets); and isu seki (stadium seating). We can provide either ticket type depending on your preference. There is also a wide range of ticket prices depending on how close to the dohyo (ring) you are.
Sumo wrestling is the ancient traditional sport of Japan and provides a fascinating and at times dramatic spectacle for anyone lucky enough to make it to a basho or tournament. Fights can be over in a matter of seconds as one wrestler hauls his opponent over the straw bales and out of the ring or thrusts him to the ground. Yet this does not make for a lack of excitement; the tension in the arena builds to a climax as the wrestlers engage in the ritual face off before each bout begins with a thunderous clash of heads. Despite their often gargantuan size these guys can move like ballerinas, pirouetting in the ring to circle the opponent or spinning on a six-pence to evade a violent thrusting attack.
Being able to see Japan's number one traditional sport in the flesh is a real highlight of any trip to Japan. We can arrange seats at any of the tournaments throughout the year, so if you are a keen sumo fan or just want to experience this truly Japanese event, be sure to time your trip to coincide with one of the main tournaments; if possible, the final week of the tournament when the action really hots up!
Two types of seating are available; masu seki which are tatami mat squares with four cushions for spectators to sit on (these are sold in groups of four tickets); and isu seki (stadium seating). We can provide either ticket type depending on your preference. There is also a wide range of ticket prices depending on how close to the dohyo (ring) you are.
When:
There are six tournaments a year. Each tournament lasts 15 days and always starts on the second Sunday of the month.
New Year Basho (January)
Tokyo Kokugikan
Spring Basho (March)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
May Basho (May)
Tokyo Kokugikan
Summer Basho (July)
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
September Basho (September)
Tokyo Kokugikan
Autumn Basho (November)
Fukuoka International Centre
Where:
The six annual sumo tournaments take place in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. In Tokyo the venue is Kokugikan, the national sumo arena and headquarters of the sumo association. This is an extremely impressive golden roofed building located on the banks of the Sumida River directly across from the historic Asakusa district of town. Ryogoku is also home to the vast majority of Tokyo's sumo stables.
The Osaka tournament takes place at the Osaka Prefectural gymnasium in the nanba district of the city. Nagoya basho is held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium located within the grounds of Nagoya Castle and the Fukuoka basho is held in the Fukuoka International Centre in the centre of town.
There are six tournaments a year. Each tournament lasts 15 days and always starts on the second Sunday of the month.
New Year Basho (January)
Tokyo Kokugikan
Spring Basho (March)
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
May Basho (May)
Tokyo Kokugikan
Summer Basho (July)
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
September Basho (September)
Tokyo Kokugikan
Autumn Basho (November)
Fukuoka International Centre
Where:
The six annual sumo tournaments take place in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. In Tokyo the venue is Kokugikan, the national sumo arena and headquarters of the sumo association. This is an extremely impressive golden roofed building located on the banks of the Sumida River directly across from the historic Asakusa district of town. Ryogoku is also home to the vast majority of Tokyo's sumo stables.
The Osaka tournament takes place at the Osaka Prefectural gymnasium in the nanba district of the city. Nagoya basho is held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium located within the grounds of Nagoya Castle and the Fukuoka basho is held in the Fukuoka International Centre in the centre of town.