Sumo

You would be mistaken if you thought that Sumo is just big, almost naked, men trying to push each other out of a ring! Sumo is Japan’s national sport. A sport of strength and skill, bound in tradition and ritual. Sumo wrestling began as an entertainment for deities and the Sumo ring is considered a sacred site.

A sumo wrestlers’ life is very ordered. They often live in a commune and train in a Sumo stable. Sumo wrestlers train to compete in six tournaments per year, three in Tokyo (January, May and September) and one each in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November).

Sumo Tournament

Sumo tournaments last for 15 days. Each day of the tournament begins with the lower ranked wrestlers and finishes with the higher ranks in the afternoon and evening.

Matches are held on an elevated clay ring called a dohyo.

Sumo matches are fairly straightforward. The first one out of the ring or that touches the ground with any part of their body besides the soles of their feet, loses. Matches usually only last a few seconds, although it can last up a minute or two.

Sumo tournaments are a mix of tradition and skill, they are exciting and a must see if there is a tournament on when you next visit Japan.

To complete your experience a Chanko-Nabe lunch, the food of Sumo is a must! TimeOut Tokyo lists a number of restaurants to check out or you might prefer the themed restaurant Ryogoku Happyakyacho Hananomai.

Tickets

Tickets provide entry for the entire day, however you do not have to arrive at the starting time, you can come to join in the action at any time of the day.
Tickets are for allocated seats and need to be pre purchased (see links below). There are three different types of seats;

• Ringside – close to the action but very hard to get these tickets
• Box seats – Japanese style, shoes off and sitting on cushions. A box seat is for four or 6 people and are charged for the box not per person. Prices are graded according to how close the seat is to the ring
• Balcony or chair seats – western style seats, pay per seat, per person (children under three that sit on an adult lap are free).

There are general admission tickets and a limited number are sold very early on the day of tournament.

Who would enjoy this…

Honestly, I was a bit worried that the kids (14, 12, 9) would be bored but they loved Sumo! We only stayed for a couple of hours as we had a flight to catch, however, that was enough to get a good feel for the sport. I love that you can come and go and don’t feel pressure to stay for the entire day!

Need more info?

Buy Sumo tickets – these guys are amazing and know everything there is to know about Sumo tickets and will purchase them for you and send them to your home or hotel!
Official sumo site
Official Sumo ticket website
Japan Guide
Boutique Japan

What if there is no tournament when I’m in Japan?

SUMO Experience offers experiences to meet Sumo, watch Sumo practice at the stable, learn about Sumo, try and fight them and eat Sumo food – Chanko-Nabe.

Raien Sumo offers lessons from former Sumo wrestlers. Participants will be dressed in mawashi (sumo belt) and taught how to do the shikofumi steps.

Gaijinpot has a fantastic page about where to visit to see Sumo in training. Please make sure you read their information about etiquette when visiting a Sumo stable.

If you are in Osaka, Do Sumou offers a Sumo experience in Osaka, however this is only in March.