Sumo Wrestling

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Sumo wrestling in Japan is a traditional sport full of ritual and ancient customs. There are around 800 professional sumo wrestlers, weighing from 200 to 400 pounds.

How to Experience Sumo Wrestling in Japan

Sumo Ceremony

The sumo wrestlers compete in six tournaments a year. There are three in Tokyo, one in Osaka, one in Nagoya, and one in Fukuoka. Each tournament lasts 15 days.

January: Tokyo
March: Osaka
May: Tokyo
July: Nagoya
September: Tokyo
November: Fukuoka

Yokozuna 2005 – Nagoya, Japan

What to Expect

On the day, the matches begin around 8:30 am starting with the lowest rank. The day gets more exciting around 3:00 pm when the higher ranks compete. The day ends around 6:00 pm with the grand champions or yokozuna.

Intimidating the Opponent

Before a match begins, a referee dressed in a beautiful kimono sings the names of the opponents. The opponents toss salt onto the ground to purify the ring and try to intimidate each other by raising their arms, staring, and stamping their feet.

Sumo Wrestlers 2009 – Nagoya, Japan

Once the match begins, the wrestlers try to push each other out of the ring. The first person to step outside the ring or touch the ground loses.

Sumo Wrestling – View from Box Seats

Tournament Seating

Tickets are available to purchase about one month before the tournament. You can buy a ticket that is valid for one of the 15 days. There are three types of seating.

Sumo Wrestling Ticket – Box Seats

Ringside seats are closest to the ring, the most expensive, and usually difficult to get.

Box Seats 1997 – Shizuoka, Japan

Box Seats are great for a group of four. To buy a box, you have to buy four tickets. Each seat in the box has a cushion on the floor and is about a foot and a half square. It can get a bit tight, but offers the best experience.

Chair seats are on the second floor further away from the action, but are cheaper and can be bought individually.