Step into the Ring: Exploring Ryogoku's Sumo Heritage

If you’re a fan of sumo wrestling, you’ll love spending time in Ryogoku, Japan. This is the best district to watch live tournaments and explore the culture of the iconic Japanese sport. In this post, we’ll provide you with the ultimate Ryogoku guide. Expect details of the grand arena, special events, stables, museums, restaurants, and more!

Introduction to Ryogoku: Tokyo's Sumo District

Ryogoku is a popular Tokyo district known as the home of sumo wrestling. The neighborhood is both a landmark dedicated to the sport’s history and a venue for modern sumo activities. It features the largest sumo stadium in the world and many other related sites. The district lies in Sumida, a special ward in Tokyo. It’s surrounded by other popular areas, including Yokoami, Nihonbashi, and Midori. Most people who visit Ryogoku via public transport get off at Ryogoku Station, which is within walking distance of most of the district’s attractions.

The area came into prominence in 1659, when the Ryōgoku Bridge was constructed. In fact, the district was named after that bridge. This name literally translates to “two provinces” and reflects the area’s role as a link between Edo (old Tokyo) City and Shimosa Province. The bridge also served as a cultural hub during the Edo Period (1603-1868). 

Sumo dates back to the Kofun Period (250-538 AD). The shrines and temples of Ryogoku were hosting outdoor sumo tournaments long before the Meiji era (1868-1912) began. These days, the tournaments take place within Ryogoku’s indoor stadiums. The district is not all about sumo wrestling - it embodies traditional Japanese culture from the Edo period. Ryogoku is a must-visit for travelers interested in sumo and heritage.

Ryogoku Kokugikan: The Grand Sumo Arena

Ryogoku Kokugikan is a large stadium dedicated to sumo wrestling. It’s Japan’s premier sumo stadium and the largest one globally. Your visit to the Ryogoku area is incomplete if you don’t tour this sporting arena.

Initially opened in 1909, the building has other names, including Ryōgoku Sumo Hall and the Kokugikan Arena. It has long since undergone three different renovations and one complete rebuild. Its second (and current) version was erected in 1985 and currently boasts a capacity of 11,908 spectators.

Ryogoku Kokugikan consists of two underground floors and one ground floor. It covers a floor area of 35,700 square meters. Besides the ring on the first floor, Ryogoku Kokugikan also contains a museum, a shop, several restaurants, and a sumo school. You can find the headquarters of the Japan Sumo Association in the same building. The stadium serves as a venue for three major sumo tournaments every year. The sumo ring and its surrounding seats are movable, allowing organizers to use this hall for other events besides sumo competitions, such as pro wrestling matches, boxing contests, and music concerts. 

Experiencing a Sumo Tournament in Tokyo

There are six Grand Sumo Tournaments in a year in Japan. Three of them take place in Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium, and the rest are hosted by arenas in Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Each competition lasts for 15 days and takes place in a specific month every year. The tournaments in Ryogoku are scheduled for January, May, and September, roughly four months apart. Sumo ranking for each main event is announced 13-20 days before it starts. Here’s an overview of the schedule of the Grand Sumo Tournaments held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in 2025:

• The January Tournament: January 12–26, 2025 (ranking announced on December 23, 2024)

• The May Tournament: May 11–25, 2025 (ranking announced on April 28, 2025)

• The September Tournament: September 14–28, 2025 (ranking announced on September 1, 2025)

Advanced tickets to those sumo events go on sale many weeks (roughly a month) before the first day. You can buy them online via the ticket web page of third-party vendors or at nearby convenience stores. Same-day tickets are also sold at the event’s venue. There are basically two types of seating reflected in these tickets. If you get box seats, you will be sitting in a Japanese-style box placed on the floor. Chair seats are more similar to regular stadium seats. They include ringside and balcony seats. The box seat (masu-seki) holds four people per box and is considerably more expensive than regular arena seat reservations.

What to Expect During a Match: The Basic Rules

Each sumo wrestling match features two competitors. It takes place in the center of the arena and on an elevated ring known as a dohyo. A wrestler wins a sumo match when they force their opponent out of the ring or cause them to touch the ground with any body part besides their feet. Most bouts last for less than a minute, and only a few exceed the one-minute mark.

Grand Sumo Tournament Rules You Should Remember

There are no weight restrictions or classes in traditional sumo wrestling. Hence, the competitors try to put on as many pounds as they can. Coming into the competition, all participants are classified according to the banzuke, an official document listing the current sumo rankings. The performance of a wrestler in the tournament will affect their ranking for the next one. They compete in at least one match a day during the event. At the end, the wrestler with the most wins is crowned the grand champion. Winning the championship will have immense effects on their position in the overall rankings. The highest rank on the banzuke list is the yokozuna.

Visiting a Sumo Stable: Morning Practice Sessions

When professional sumo wrestlers are not grappling in a ring, they may be preparing for the next match in a stable. A sumo stable (heya) is a living and training facility for wrestlers. It’s possible to observe the daily life and morning training sessions of the competitors in these stables, which are mostly located in Ryogoku. Training sessions begin as early as 5 AM in the morning and last for 3-4 hours. Please note that sumo stables are private facilities, and most don’t allow tourists. The few stables that do expect them to obey all rules and avoid disturbing the trainees.

Your visit will reveal a lot about the sumo lifestyle, including how wrestlers live and some of their rituals. The best way to arrange a visit is to enroll in a guided tour. That way, you will explore the stable alongside a guide who is familiar with the house rules. Here are a few etiquette tips to remember:

• Always show respect when interacting with stable masters, wrestlers, trainers, or staff

• Stay quiet and don’t move around during a morning sumo practice

• Wear socks before leaving your hotel and remove your shoes or sandals before entering the training room

• Don’t point the soles of your feet in the direction of the ring, as it’s considered disrespectful

• When taking photos with your phone, turn off the flash and shutter sound

Sumo Museum: Exploring the Sport's History

The Sumo Museum is located within Ryogoku Kokugikan. Established in 1954, it showcases hundreds of sumo-related exhibits. Some of its greatest displays include historical artifacts of past yokozunas. For example, the museum houses the permanent exhibition of tsuna belts of Kitanoumi and Takanosato, two of the best sumo wrestlers of all time. It also features portraits and pictures that immortalize every stage in the evolution of sumo wrestling over the centuries.

Chanko Nabe: The Sumo Wrestler's Stew

Chanko nabe is a hearty stew associated with sumo wrestlers. Popularly known as “sumo stew,” this dish consists of an assortment of vegetables and proteins served in a rich broth. It’s balanced, delicious, and filling. Hence, sumo wrestlers eat it all day. In Japan, regular people enjoy chanko nabe too. You can sample this dish and experience authentic sumo cuisine in some of the local restaurants. We recommend a visit to one of the many chanko nabe restaurants in Ryogoku District. Chanko Kirishima, Sumo Chaya Terao, and Chanko Tomoegata are some of the best choices available.

Ryogoku Station: Gateway to Sumo Culture

Ryogoku Station is the main access point to the district. It’s a major stop for trains arriving from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Station, Asakusa Station, and other parts of the city. It consists of two sections: elevated and underground. The elevated station serves trains on the JR Sobu Line, and the subway station serves the Toei Oedo Line. Located in Yokoami Town, Sumida, the facility is within walking distance of major attractions in the district. Sumo-themed decorations at the station welcome visitors to the area.

Beyond Sumo: Other Attractions in Ryogoku

Other sites in Ryogoku offer a broader understanding of Tokyo’s history and culture, particularly during the Edo Period, when the area gained prominence. These cultural sites include the following:

• Edo-Tokyo Museum

• Sumida Hokusai Museum

• Traditional craft workshops of Asakusabashi

• Tokyo Memorial Hall

• Tokyo Origami Museum in Honjo

Seasonal Events and Festivals in Ryogoku

Ryogoku hosts many other events outside of the frequent sumo tournaments. Below is a detailed overview of the most popular occasions in the area:

• Ryōgoku Nigiwai Festival (late April): Enjoy chanko nabe and yakitori (grilled chicken) at local food stalls or view the stage performances, sumo mascots, and tea parties.

• Sakura Genesis (early April): See a live New Japan Pro-Wrestling event at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.

• Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (last Saturday of July): See stunning firework displays over the nearby Sumida River.

• Suijin Matsuri (June 15 & December 1): Experience a Shinto ritual in a religious celebration dedicated to the water god.

Conclusion: Embracing Ryogoku's Rich Heritage

Immerse yourself in this vibrant district to gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese traditions. Ryogoku offers unique experiences for all tourists, from sumo wrestling to cultural exploration.

Explore Bokksu Boutique for more opportunities to explore Japanese culture. We offer a vast collection of unique gift boxes, snacks, and traditional crafts.