Ryogoku Kokugikan is dedicated to Japan’s national sport, sumo. It is one of the largest sumo stadiums in Japan. Three annual tournaments are held in this stadium. Witness the thrilling excitement of watching a sumo match up close in Ryogoku Kokugikan in the heart of Ryogoku, the home of Sumo.
Table of Contents
- Introducing Ryogoku Kokugikan
- Sumo Tournaments
- Check These Out at Ryogoku Kokugikan!
- Did You Know?
- Getting to Ryogoku Kokugikan
- Takeaway
Introducing Ryogoku Kokugikan
Ryogoku Town
In Tokyo, near the Sumida River, is the town of Ryogoku 両国. Whilst exploring this town, you will come across many statues and artifacts depicting sumo wrestlers as sumo is the pride and joy of this town. In fact, the sport of sumo wrestling dates back almost 1,500 years ago. Ryogoku is home not just to Ryogoku Kokugikan but several sumo stables, sumo related facilities, and also Edo related attractions.
For more about Ryogoku, check our dedicated article:
Top Things to do in Ryogoku – Home of Japanese Sumo
※ Nihon Sumo Kyokai, "History of sumo" ※ Go Tokyo, "Ryogoku"
Ryogoku Kokugikan
Established in 1985, the Ryogoku Kokugikan 両国国技館 is a stadium arena dedicated to the sport of sumo wrestling. It’s not limited to sumo though, as events like concerts and boxing matches are also held here, but it is definitely recognized the most for sumo. Ryogoku Kokugikan can hold about 11,000 spectators at one time. It holds the National Sumo Tournaments during the months of January, May and September annually. These are pretty huge events and tickets will be difficult to get. Each tournament usually lasts around 2 weeks.
Writer's Pick
Sumo Tournaments
Watching a sumo tournament wouldn’t be much fun if you don’t at least know the basics. So without further ado, here’s a quick lesson on the rules of sumo.
Rules of Sumo Wrestling
There are 2 ways to win in sumo wrestling. The first is to get your opponent out of the ring, or to get your opponent to fall. Whoever steps out of the ring first, or lets any part of their body aside from their feet touch the ground, loses.
To do so, the sumo wrestlers will try various techniques. These include pushing, throwing, lifting, and the like. Now you know why weight gain and sumo wrestler size is so important. Grabbing the opponent's belt is allowed. Prohibited actions are punching, kicking, choking, and other similar aggressive wrestling techniques, although sweeping or tripping your opponent off their feet is allowed. This is where the wrestler’s speed comes into play.
For more about the various Sumo Techniques, check this article by NHK:
※ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., "Sumo"
Tournament Schedule
As mentioned above, the Kokugikan hosts three of the national sumo tournaments in Japan, which are held in
- January (New Year Basho)
- May (Summer Basho)
- September (Autumn Basho)
It takes fifteen days to complete every tournament. With the exception of lower-ranking wrestlers who participate in fewer matches, every wrestler performs in one match per day.
※ Nihon Sumo Kyokai, "Tournament Schedule" ※ Ticket Oosumo, "2021 January Grand Tournament"
Seat Types and Prices
There are usually 3 types of seats:
- Ringside: Floor cushion seating around stadium
- Box: Japanese style floor seating, box seats can hold multiple guests
- Stadium: Regular stadium seating
|
Seats |
Prices |
|
Ringside |
20,000 yen |
|
Box |
8,500 yen to 15,000 yen per guest |
|
Special Box |
20,000 yen to 36,000 yen per box |
|
Stadium |
2,500 yen to 9,500 yen |
Check their website for more detailed information regarding ticket availability and prices.
Check These Out at Ryogoku Kokugikan!
Aside from the sumo tournament, there are other things to enjoy at and around Ryogoku Kokugikan. You can also visit the stadium and explore its interior as it is open to the public.
Sumo Museum
Opened in 1954, the Sumo Museum is located on the first floor of Ryogoku Kokugikan. The museum was established to preserve the cultural and historical legacy of Sumo wrestling. A collection of great artifacts such as banzuke (the ranking of sumo wrestlers in a particular tournament), woodblock prints, and former sumo warrior’s ceremonial wear are available on display here.
Admission: Free
Hours: 10:00 to 16:30 on weekdays; closed weekends and national holidays
Sumo Statues
As you walk towards Kokugikan Stadium, you’ll be accompanied by statues of renowned sumo wrestlers lining the streets. You can snap a few photos of you and your companions doing your best sumo wrestler poses. You can even compare your hand size to theirs, as there are actual hand imprints at the base of the statues. How cool is that?
Sumo Stables
Sumo stables are where sumo wrestlers live together communally and train. The majority of the stables in Tokyo and in all of Japan are located within the Ryogoku area. Only a few stables however welcome visitors. When visiting, remain quiet and keep your phones on silent to avoid disrupting training. Also, bring someone that can speak Japanese. Most importantly, make sure you make a reservation as visiting without notice is unacceptable. Think about it this way; these stables are considered the sumo wrestlers’ homes, and you wouldn’t want someone to visit unexpectedly to ogle at you.
Now that you understand what it means to visit a sumo stable, here are some choices to visit:
Did You Know?
Chanko Nabe
Also known as Sumo Stew, chanko nabe is a hotpot dish that sumo wrestlers eat to gain/maintain their weight, re-energize themselves after training, and to boost their energy before tournaments. It contains lots of protein and vegetables. There are many Chanko Nabe restaurants in Ryogoku and around Tokyo so make sure to try them out. You might end up sitting next to a sumo wrestler!
Here are some recommended places to try Chanko Nabe:
Getting to Ryogoku Kokugikan
There are 2 ways to get to Ryogoku Kokugikan, by train or by water bus.
The nearest train station is JR Ryogoku Station which is right opposite Ryogoku Kokugikan. Another nearby station only 5-mins away is Tokyo Metro Ryogoku Station on the Oedo Line.
You can also opt to take the Water Bus that travels along Sumida River. Ryogoku Kokugikan is right opposite the water bus docks.
※ Nihon Sumo Kyokai, "Access"
Takeaway
Sumo is an important part of Japan’s history and culture. Watching a sumo tournament is an experience that lasts a lifetime. Aside from witnessing this great sport, the atmosphere of the cheering crowds and the energy of the stadium is a huge part of the experience. There is no better place to behold this greatness than Ryogoku Kokugikan, a stadium centered in the land of sumo.
