Sumo Tournament Tickets – Japan

Tokyo · Osaka · Nagoya · Fukuoka

Six official tournaments per year Grand Sumo (Honbasho) 15 days per tournament

Grand sumo tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo

Sumo wrestlers in the dohyo ring during a bout

Photos: Professional grand sumo tournaments in Japan.

Professional sumo tournaments, called honbasho, take place six times a year: three in Tokyo and one each in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. Each tournament lasts 15 days. You can attend for a few hours or enjoy the full day of bouts.

📅 Tournament months 🎫 Ticket tips

🏟️ Main Tokyo venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan

🕒 Best time: mid-afternoon to evening for top bouts

🎟 Seat types: box seats & arena chairs

Grand sumo tournament calendar

Same pattern every year, exact dates vary slightly.

January: Tokyo (Ryogoku Kokugikan)
March: Osaka (Edion Arena Osaka)
May: Tokyo (Ryogoku Kokugikan)
July: Nagoya (Aichi Prefectural Gym / arena)
September: Tokyo (Ryogoku Kokugikan)
November: Fukuoka (Fukuoka Kokusai Center)

Each tournament runs for 15 consecutive days, usually starting on a Sunday. Ticket sales and exact dates are published by the Japan Sumo Association and ticket partners.

What to expect inside the arena

Morning and early afternoon bouts by lower-ranked wrestlers.
Late afternoon: the top division, with the biggest stars.
Rituals, ring-entering ceremonies and salt-throwing before each bout.
Food and drinks available inside; it’s normal to eat while watching.

Even if you’re not a sumo expert, the combination of ceremony, crowd noise and explosive short matches makes this one of the most unique cultural experiences in Japan.

FAQ – Sumo tournaments

When should I arrive?

You can go any time during the day. Many visitors arrive around 14:00–15:00 and stay until the end, so they see the full top-division program without spending the entire day there.

Can I buy tickets on the day?

Sometimes, especially for less popular weekdays, but it’s not guaranteed. For weekends, opening day and the final day, advance booking is strongly recommended.

Are children allowed in sumo tournaments?

Yes. Families regularly attend. Just keep in mind that the seats can be tight in box areas and the atmosphere gets very loud during key bouts.

Sumo outside big tournaments

Other ways to see sumo if your dates don’t match a honbasho.

Morning practice visits at sumo stables (by reservation / tour).
Regional exhibition tours and smaller events.
Sumo-themed museums and displays around Ryogoku in Tokyo.