Held every July, this is the fourth of Japan’s six annual Sumo Tournaments, known as honbasho. With sumo rankings released a few weeks before, it’s a chance to see the traditional sport up close and personal. While the fights are broadcast on NHK, nothing beats the atmosphere of the tense final matches of the day, complete with cushion-throwing and cheers.
Tours and tickets
| Seat Type | Price from | Notes | Booking Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arena | ¥3,500 | Likely to sell out early | Ticket Pia (currently unavailable) |
| Class A seating | ¥16,500 | Includes guide | Klook (currently unavailable) |
| Class S seating | From ¥16,500 | Includes guide | JTB Sunrise Tours (currently unavailable), Viator (plus castle tour, currently unavailable) |
| Box seating | ¥21,000 | Includes guide | Viator (currently unavailable) |
| Box seating | ¥21,000 | Includes guide (options for travel from Kyoto/Osaka/Tokyo) | Klook (currently unavailable) |
Tickets go on sale from May 25, but you can get tickets in advance by choosing a tour. This ticket gets you second-floor arena seats.
If you don’t know your Yokozuna from your Ozeki, then you may want to bring a guide with you to find out what exactly you’re watching.
You can also buy tickets directly from the official website.
Seating
Seating is divided into box seating — tatami areas seating four people which start at about ¥38,000 and arena seats which start from around ¥3,500.
Sumo matches take place throughout the day and you can leave to grab food before returning. The busiest times are as you may expect — weekends and towards the end of the tournament.
If you’re not here during a tournament but still want to see some sumo action, here are a few ways to make it happen in Tokyo.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 309 m from Shiyakusho (City Hall) Station Meijō Line (M1)
- 0.9 km from Meijō Kōen Station Meijō Line (M1)
