Grand Sumo Tournament Guide

Places introduced on official sites of the Japan Sumo Association, local governments and tourism bodies.

• Sumo Museum

  📍 Sumida, Tokyo

  The Japan Sumo Association's museum on the 1st floor of Ryogoku Kokugikan, with rotating themed exhibitions of historical sumo materials such as woodblock prints (nishiki-e) and ornate ceremonial aprons (kesho-mawashi). Admission is free on weekdays when no tournament is being held.

  💡 During a tournament, only visitors with a ticket for that day's sumo can enter, so drop in while you're there to watch.

  🗺 View on mapOfficial site ↗Introduced on ↗

• Ryogoku neighborhood

  📍 Sumida, Tokyo

  A "sumo town" centered on the Kokugikan, full of sumo stables (heya) and chanko nabe (sumo hot pot) restaurants. You may even spot wrestlers in yukata walking around the streets.

  💡 You can watch a sumo stable's morning practice by joining a guided tour.

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• Wrestler statues and handprints on Kokugikan-dori

  📍 Sumida, Tokyo

  Along Kokugikan-dori, the street near Ryogoku Station, you'll find statues of wrestlers performing the ring-entering ceremony and handprints of past yokozuna. You can compare the size of your hand with theirs.

  💡 Striking a ring-entering pose for a souvenir photo is a classic.

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• -Ryogoku- Edo NOREN

  📍 Sumida, Tokyo

  A dining complex in the former Ryogoku Station building from the early Showa era. In the center is a sumo ring supervised by the Japan Sumo Association, surrounded by Japanese restaurants. On weekends there are events where you can grapple with former wrestlers.

  💡 The tourist information center inside is a good place to pick up information on Ryogoku, including chanko nabe restaurants.

  🗺 View on mapOfficial site ↗Introduced on ↗

• Ekoin Temple

  📍 Sumida, Tokyo

  A temple where sumo tournaments were held from the Edo period until the end of the Meiji era; the first Kokugikan was also built on its grounds. It is home to the Chikara-zuka, a memorial erected by the Sumo Association.

  💡 It's a short walk from the West Exit of Ryogoku Station, so you can visit it together with the Kokugikan.

  🗺 View on mapOfficial site ↗Introduced on ↗

• Nomi no Sukune Shrine

  📍 Sumida, Tokyo

  A shrine dedicated to Nomi no Sukune, the god of sumo, with a monument on its grounds engraved with the names of past yokozuna. Before each Tokyo tournament, an annual festival is held here, attended by senior officials of the Sumo Association.

  💡 The quickest way there is from Exit A4 of Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line.

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• Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine

  📍 Koto, Tokyo

  Known as "Fukagawa no Hachiman-sama," this is the largest Hachiman shrine in Edo-era Tokyo. On its grounds stands the Yokozuna Monument, engraved with the names of past yokozuna.

  💡 It's a short walk from Monzen-nakacho Station. It's a bit far from Ryogoku, so we recommend fitting it into a different day of sightseeing.

  🗺 View on mapOfficial site ↗Introduced on ↗

• Katsuragi City Sumo Museum "Kehaya-za"

  📍 Katsuragi, Nara

  A sumo museum in the area associated with Taima no Kehaya, considered one of the founders of sumo. It has a ring the same size as those used in official tournaments, and exhibits where you can learn about the history of sumo.

  💡 If you book in advance, you can put on a mawashi (sumo belt) and try sumo in the ring.

  🗺 View on mapIntroduced on ↗