The Kokugikan Sumo Stadium, also known as the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, is Tokyo’s largest indoor sports arena hosting sumo wrestling tournaments. Sumo is Japan’s most popular sport, so catch an incredible show with up to 10,000 other spectators and find out what sumo is all about.
Each Sumo tournament lasts fifteen days, and the matches begin with amateurs and end with advanced sumo wrestlers. Tournaments are held only six times a year, so grab a seat while you still can.
The Sumo Museum, known as Nihon Sumo Kyokai, is attached to the Kokugikan Sumo Stadium and is open year-round. It is a great place to learn about sumo’s important place in Japanese culture.
Tours of the Kokugikan Sumo Stadium are limited and do not happen year round. Tournaments occur in January, March, May, July, September and November. The Sumo Museum is open on weekdays throughout the year. Taking the train or subway is the easiest way to get to the stadium, as it’s a two minute walk from the Ryōgoku station. Ryōgoku is in the Sumida area of Tokyo, right next to the Sumida River.
