Julie Japan 24 Comments

Our most anticipated day in Japan came on July 17…we had tickets to watch sumo wrestling in Japan, something we have been talking about for months now.

I have to say, we have become lackadaisical travelers…rarely planning anything in advance anymore, showing up to new countries and cities having no idea what to see, do, or how to get around.  We have hotels and flights booked, but that is about it. I have heard that long-term travel changes everyone. Well, we have become go-with-the-flow, everything-always-seems-to-work-itself-out travelers.

Until Japan.

When we learned that the Grand Sumo Tournament would be taking place while we were in Japan, we did not want to miss out our chance to see this. For this, we booked our tickets in advance and counted down the days until it was time to watch some sumo wrestling!!

How to Watch Sumo Wresting in Japan

There are six Grand Tournaments per year, occurring on the odd months. For fifteen days, starting and ending on a Sunday, wrestling matches are held everyday, starting in the morning and lasting until 6 pm at night. While we were in Japan, the July tournament was in Nagoya. We were staying in Tokyo, so we had to take yet another round-trip journey on the Shinkansen, something none of us were complaining about. Only this time we did not have a view of Mt. Fuji out the window as Japan was getting hit by a typhoon.

In Nagoya, the sumo wrestling tournament is held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium. The first match of the day begins at 8:30 am. During the morning hours the gymnasium is at its quietest, when the lowest ranking wrestlers are having their matches.

Most people arrive between 2 and 4 pm, just before the highest ranking Sumo wrestlers begin their matches. We arrived at 1:30 pm, for two reasons. We paid a lot for our seats and wanted to enjoy the experience as long as possible. More importantly, arriving early allowed us to get better photos as we could sneak down into the better seats and right up to the action.

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

Sumo Wrestling

Sumo

How to Watch Sumo Wrestling Japan

Watching Sumo Wrestling

Where To Sit

There are three tiers of seats available for purchase. The ringside seats, those down on the floor right in front of the ring, are the highest priced and most exclusive. I have heard that these seats are only available for Japanese citizens although I do not know if this is true.

The next level are box seats, with A, B, and C divisions, A being the best. Box seats are approximately a 4 foot by 4 foot section where spectators sit on the floor on seat cushions. Shoes are removed and stored off to the side. This is traditional Japanese seating. Tickets are sold for the entire box regardless of how many people use it but up to four people are allowed to share the box.

We purchased A level box seats. We had excellent views of the ring but things did get uncomfortable for us after awhile. With two adults and 2 children we barely fit inside of our box. We saw plenty of groups of four Japanese people sitting in boxes, making it look so easy. Before choosing these seats, take a look at the pictures and make sure you will be comfortable sitting like this for several hours.

Box Seat Sumo Wrestling

The third tier of seats are western style stadium seats. These were much higher up than the traditional Japanese box seating but for some may be more comfortable. At the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, this higher part of the stadium seemed to be kept cooler by the air conditioners than down by the ring, another thing to consider.

Sumo Wrestling Pre-Bout Preparation

As we watched the matches we quickly learned that sumo wrestling is much more about than just throwing your opponent out of the ring…there is a lengthy pre-competition ritual that is enacted every time two new wrestlers step into the ring. Here is what happens, step by step.

Before the opponents enter the ring, the yodibashi announces the names of the two wrestlers.

Yodibashi

The two sumo wrestlers enter the ring, look each other in the eye, then turn to their corner of the ring. At the corner, they squat, rise, raise one leg and then slam it back down on the ground, followed by the other leg. They make a great show of this as it is supposed to intimidate their opponent. While in their corner they rinse their mouths with a ladleful of water and then wipe their faces with a piece of paper.

Sumo Wrestler

After this procedure, they rejoin in the ring. Here, they squat down, clap their hands one time, and then raise their hands to show that they are not carrying a weapon.

Sumo Wrestling Japan

 

Once again, they return to their corners.  This is when banners are displayed, symbolizing the prize money to be won for the match.

Sumo Wrestling

 

Before re-entering the ring, salt is thrown as part of the purification ritual. Some sumo wrestlers grabbed huge fistfuls of the salt, throwing it high into the air, eliciting cheers and shouts of approval from the audience.

Sumo Wrestler Throwing Salt

 

The wrestlers enter the center of the ring, look each other in the eye, then raise one leg and then the other.

Sumo Wrestlers

Japanese Sumo Wrestlers

From this point, they usually return to their corner one more time, for more mouth rinsing and salt throwing. Some wrestlers even repeated this entire sequence three times before actually starting the wrestling match. This entire ritual can last as long as five minutes, but the resulting match may only last a few seconds.

Rules of Sumo Wrestling

Bouts can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. After five minutes of preparation and psychological battle, we were always hoping for a long, drawn out match.

There are really two basic rules to winning a sumo wrestling match:

1.  Force their opponent out of the ring, or

2.  Force their opponent to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of their feet.

Afterwards, the gyogi (referee) announces the winner to the audience, although this was usually obvious.

Here is a step-by-step progression of a match lasting under fifteen seconds:

Sumo Wrestling Progression 1

Sumo Wrestling Progression 2

Sumo Wrestling Progression 3

Sumo Wrestling Progression 4

 

The best matches were those when the crowd really got into it. Some of the sumo wrestlers were greeted with a lot of enthusiasm, unknown to us but celebrities in the Japanese world of sumo wrestling. The crowd is the highlight of this photo:

Reaction of the Crowd

 

By 5 pm, the gymnasium had gone from being mostly empty to packed with tons of spectators.

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Sumo Wrestling

Believe It Or Not…

Not all Sumo wrestlers are Japanese. Some are gaijin, or foreigners. We saw several non-Japanese men in the mix, surprising us at first. Can you find any here? A reader recently wrote in a list of the non-Japanese Sumo wrestlers, so scroll to the comment section to learn more.

Sumo Wrestlers Japan

How to Have the Best Experience

When To Watch Sumo Wrestling

The Grand Sumo Tournaments are held on the odd months, lasting for fifteen days each:  in Tokyo in January, May, and September, in Osaka in March, in Nagoya in July, and in Fukuoka in November.

What if you are not in Japan during a Grand Sumo Tournament? See if there is an amateur tournament taking place during your visit or visit a sumo stable (where sumo wrestlers live and train) while in Tokyo.

Here is a link to the upcoming schedules.

How To Purchase Tickets

Tickets can be purchased up to five weeks before the start of the tournament. I highly recommend buying your tickets at least a month in advance as seats sell out very quickly. If you plan on attending during a weekend or on the final day of the tournament, pre-order your tickets as early as possible.

You can purchase your tickets online using this link. 

Tickets can be mailed directly to your residence or can be picked up at 7-Elevens in Japan. We picked up our tickets at 7-Eleven and it was very easy and straightforward.

Tickets can also be purchased through the vendor or at convenience stores (like 7-Eleven) but Japanese is almost necessary in these circumstances.

How To Get Photos From Ringside Seats

Arrive early enough and, for the most part, you will be able to access all seating areas of the gymnasium.

After being shown to our real seats, Tim and I left Tyler and Kara and went off to see if we could get some close up photos. This meant walking through the narrow hallways under the bleachers.

In here, we passed many sumo wrestlers awaiting their turn to enter the ring. They were standing around nervously, slapping their bellies and thighs, making a big show of their might and toughness. It was a little intimidating walking past them, especially since they were wearing barely anything, but we learned something very surprising…sumo wrestlers smell like baby powder. No joke! Their feet may be dirty with the sand on the floor but they smell surprisingly fresh and babylike!

From these hallways under the bleachers we walked out onto the main floor, Tim leading the way, and we took a seat down at the ringside seats. We had to walk past a stern looking security guard but were not stopped to check tickets. It was from here that we got our best photos and videos.

The key is to make it look like you belong there and most likely you will not get stopped. If the real owners to the seats arrive, just get up and find a new place!

To make this work, get here before most people arrive. The best time to try this is before 2 pm.

What To Buy

There is a small amount of food for sale, usual Japanese snacks, popcorn, and ice cream. There was a restaurant selling “sumo stew” but they sold out rather quickly. Also for sale is plenty of beer as well as sumo related souvenirs. Eat a big meal before you arrive and bring along some snacks just in case nothing here looks appetizing.

What To Wear

Comfortable, lightweight clothing, at least in the summertime. The gymnasium was air-conditioned but it still got very warm towards the end of the tournament. Fans are handed out to the spectators, which helped, but cool, comfortable clothing is advised.

Plus, if you have shoes that are easy to take on and off, wear these, particularly if you are staying in the box seats.


Do you have plans to watch Sumo wrestling in Japan? If you have any questions or suggestions, comment below!

More Information for Your Trip to Japan

TOKYO: Journey through Tokyo in photos and learn how to plan a day trip to Kamakura.

KYOTO: Travel through Kyoto in Photos, learn about the best things to do in Kyoto, and read about our first impressions of Osaka and Kyoto.

DAY TRIPS FROM KYOTO: There are several great day trips you can take from Kyoto, including Himeji Castle, Hiroshima, and beautiful Nara, Japan.

AROUND THE WORLD TRAVEL: Do you dream of traveling around the world? Check out our Guide to Traveling Around the World, where you can get information on how to plan your big adventure, what to expect while traveling, and what it is like to finally come home.

TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 30 great travel books and a list of the best travel movies to feed your wanderlust.

Planning a trip to Japan? Read all of our articles in our Japan Travel Guide.

 

 

How to Watch Sumo Wrestling in Japan

 

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Comments 24

  1. Avatar for Jason
    Jason

    Hi, we are going to see the tournament in Osaka in March – what is the name of the programme/schedule paper leaflet that is produced, showing the names of the wrestlers and the division they are fighting in? Also, how can we get one of these ?
    Thank you.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      I don’t know if the program has an official name or how to get one before going to the match, but they are handed out at the match when you arrive at the stadium.

  2. Avatar for Matt S
    Matt S

    Hello, I’m a sumo fan here to comment. The article was updated recently, but a little research tells me that these photos are from on Day 6 of the Nagoya 2015 tournament. It’s fun to see Terutsuyoshi, a current upper division wrestler, preparing for a bout at an unsalaried rank. Also, in your guess the foreigner section you got it wrong: On the far left Gagamaru – Georgia, next Osunaarashi – Egypt, skip 1 guy then Amuru – Russia, next Kyokutenho – Mongolia, and on the far left Kagamio – Mongolia, and in fact facing away on the left side (tall one) is Kaisei – Brazil (among 2 more Mongolians entering the ring). Another note, the center rikishi, Kyokutenho went on to retire after a poor performance after this tournament, and is now a coach (and necessarily now Japanese). If you or your readers want to relive this day, check out the videos found in this link ( https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Results.aspx?b=201507&d=6 ). The right hand column of the Makuuchi group are the ones circling on the dohyo in your photo.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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  3. Avatar for maxine flam
    maxine flam

    I have been a sumo fan since January 2017 when I saw the highlighted in nhl in Los Angeles. My hope is to go to Japan some day and see a live tournament. Do you know how I can buy some sumo souvenirs and have them shipped to me in the US. Thank you.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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      Julie

      Unfortunately, I do not know where you can purchase sumo souvenirs. You could try contacting the Japan tourism board for more info. Cheers, Julie

  4. Avatar for Jamie
    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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  5. Avatar for Valerie Gray
    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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  6. Avatar for Vivian Smith
    Vivian Smith

    I like to watch sumo matches very much! So interesting. Recently I have about 10 days’ business trip to Japan Tokyo. I will definitely watch sumo wrestling match on the scene. Is there any matches recently?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
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  7. Avatar for Lindsay
    Lindsay

    Hi! I m planning to see sumo one day on my honeymoon. Do you recommend staying in Nagoya for this? I was planning on leaving Kyoto in the morning on a train and going straight to Nagoya for the tournament. We will have luggage. I am not sure if I should stay over night or leave after the tournament and go straight to my next destination in Japan, either the Hakone region or back to Tokyo. Thoughts?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello! We did the sumo wrestling in Nagoya as a day trip from Tokyo. Between the trip on the Shinkansen and transportation from our hotel in Tokyo to the train station our journey lasted roughly 2.5 hours one way. Having luggage will make your traveling more difficult. Many train stations in other countries have a luggage drop, a place that will hold your luggage for a fee. We did this a lot in Italy. If I were you, see if they have this in Japan. If they do, I would not hesitate to use this service. Then you can travel from Kyoto, drop your luggage at the Nagoya trains station, watch the sumo wrestling, pick up your luggage at the train station, and then travel onto Tokyo or Hakone. It’s a long day but totally doable. Plus, riding on the Shinkansen is awesome. If there is no luggage drop, you may want to consider staying overnight in Nagoya. There was no place (that I know of) for you to store your luggage at the stadium in Nagoya. And seats and boxes are small so even the lightest of travelers would have a very hard keeping their luggage with them. I hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any other questions. And enjoy Japan…good pick!

    2. Avatar for Sean
      Sean

      Hi Lindsay! I also am planning on seeing the Sumo Tournament in Nagoya (July 23rd). My wife and I are flying into Narita Airport the 21st, heading to Kyoto from there, staying two nights in Kyoto, then to Nagoya the morning of the 23rd. After the Sumo, we are taking the train to our accommodations in Tokyo. Here is how we are handling luggage.

      When we arrive at the Narita Airport, we are going to use a service available in Japan called TA-Q-BIN (http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/). This service allows luggage transportation to and from most areas of Japan for a nominal fee (usually between $10-$30 per luggage item depending on weight and size. We will be traveling with 2 large sized luggage bags, one medium luggage bag, two carry on sized, and two medium sized backpacks. Instead of trying to take everything with us to Kyoto and Nagoya we are going to have 4 of our luggage bags (both carry-ons and both large bags) shipped to our hotel in Tokyo with delivery scheduled for 7/24 (you can delay the shipping up to 6 days from when you drop it off). That will leave us with one medium luggage bag and our backpacks for our two days in Kyoto and our day in Nagoya. Like Julie said, the train stations often have different sized lockers, which we will use when we arrive at Nagoya station to store our medium sized bag while we enjoy Sumo. Then we will pick it up on our way out, and the bulk of our luggage will be waiting for us at out Hotel in Tokyo when we arrive that night.

      We had also thought about taking our luggage with us to Kyoto, and having it picked up there and delivered to Tokyo but we are staying in a pretty rural area of Kyoto and we didn’t want to try to roll all of that luggage up and down hills.

      Hopefully this will give you some ideas and help in your travels!

      Have a happy honeymoon and congratulations!

      1. Avatar for Julie Post
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        Julie

        Thank you, Sean, for such a detailed answer!! I am sure this will help our other readers who may have similar questions. Cheers! Julie

  8. Avatar for James
    James

    Hello,

    I am planning to watch sumo in November 2015.

    Which day do you think it is best to watch sumo? Friday 11/20/15 or Saturday 11/21/15?

    Thank you.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello James,

      As far as I know, the day of the week does not make a difference. I would choose the day depending on how it fits into your schedule.

      Julie

  9. Avatar for Patricia Rachek
    Patricia Rachek

    So glad you were able to see Sumo wrestling in person. When I lived in Okinawa, the Sumo tournament was held there. Our host nation teacher got us tickets and arranged for several of the young sumo students to visit the school. I loved the symbolism and ceremony involved, but found the box seat uncomfortable. Eventually I moved to the stadium seats.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      It was amazing how easily and comfortably the Japanese fit into the box seats. We were sitting next to a group of four Japanese men and they looked perfectly comfortable!

      1. Avatar for Patricia Rachek
        Patricia Rachek

        That was my observation as well. When I attended the tournament, I was with 3 other people all taller than I was. We were crunched together and not very comfortable. Loved your photos. Brought back happy memories of my time in Okinawa and Japan.

  10. Avatar for Dee
    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      I looked it up. Most weigh about 330 pounds or 150 kilograms. When I look at my photos, they look huge. But when Tim and I were walking right next to them under the bleachers they didn’t seem so big. Then I looked up average weights of NFL linebackers…about 240 pounds is average. So…linebackers are smaller than I originally thought; for some reason I thought that linebackers would be larger than sumo wrestlers. Guess I was wrong!

      1. Avatar for Dee
        Dee

        They look sooo big, but maybe it’s because they aren’t wearing very much. It would be fun to watch them eat a meal just to see how much they eat. I bet they are gentle giants.

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