Researched guide · Checked on Nov 5, 2026
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Sumo is Japan’s national sport, with rituals that go back centuries. In Tokyo you can watch a professional tournament, visit the free Sumo Museum and eat the wrestlers’ hearty stew in Ryogoku, the home of sumo.
| Tokyo tournaments | January, May and September, at Ryogoku Kokugikan |
| Length | 15 days, starting and ending on a Sunday |
| Tickets | Sold on the official site, usually one to two months before each tournament |
| Nearest station | Ryogoku (JR Sobu Line, Toei Oedo Line) |
Grand sumo tournaments
There are six grand tournaments a year. Three are held in Tokyo at Ryogoku Kokugikan, in January, May and September. The others are in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November). See what else to do in the area in our Ryogoku guide.
A day at the tournament
- Bouts start in the morning with the lowest-ranked wrestlers. The top division, makuuchi, starts in the late afternoon, and the day ends around 6:00 pm.
- Before the top division, watch the ring-entering ceremony (dohyo-iri), when the wrestlers appear in decorated aprons.
- Arriving earlier lets you enjoy the lower divisions and the atmosphere before the arena fills up.
Tickets and seats
| Seat | What it is like |
|---|---|
| Box seats (masu-seki) | Cushions on the floor in a small box for up to four people, close to the ring. Take your shoes off |
| Arena chairs | Chairs on the upper floor. Easier for most visitors and cheaper |
| Ringside (tamari-seki) | Right next to the ring. Very hard to get, with strict rules on eating and photos |
Buy tickets on the Japan Sumo Association’s official ticket site. Popular days, especially weekends and the first and last days, sell out fast.
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Sumo Museum
The small Sumo Museum inside Ryogoku Kokugikan shows woodblock prints, ranking lists and ceremonial aprons, and admission is normally free. Outside tournament periods it is usually open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. During tournaments the hours are shorter and you need a tournament ticket. Check the official site before you go.
Ryogoku
- Chanko nabe: the protein-rich hot pot that wrestlers eat. Many restaurants in Ryogoku serve it, some run by former wrestlers.
- Morning practice: some sumo stables allow visitors to watch practice, usually through a guided tour. Never visit a stable without permission, and stay silent during practice.
Tips
- Bento and drinks are sold inside, and in most seats you can eat during the day.
- If you cannot get tickets, a sumo experience show or a practice tour is a good alternative.
- See our Asakusa guide; Ryogoku is just across the Sumida River.
Find sumo experiences
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Visiting in May? See Tokyo in May for the May tournament and other events.
FAQ
When are sumo tournaments in Tokyo?
In January, May and September at Ryogoku Kokugikan. Each lasts 15 days, starting and ending on a Sunday.
How do I buy sumo tickets?
On the Japan Sumo Association’s official ticket site, usually one to two months before each tournament. Popular days sell out fast.
What time should I arrive at a sumo tournament?
Bouts start in the morning. The top division starts in the late afternoon and the day ends around 6:00 pm.
Is the Sumo Museum free?
Admission is normally free. During tournaments you need a tournament ticket.
Keep reading
Sources
This guide is based on the official information below, not on our own visit (checked November 5, 2026). Hours, dates and prices can change, so please check before you go.
