Honestly, sumo always struck me as something on NHK—an adult’s entertainment, you know?
Nobody ever took me to sumo.
I just thought to myself one day, “Wait, I’m Japanese and I’ve never actually been to see it in person!”
There are three tournaments a year right here in Tokyo…
Hmm.
That’s when I decided to go watch sumo.
Ryogoku is the heartland of sumo.
Tournaments are held six times a year—in January, March, May, July, September, and November—across four cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, and Fukuoka. Among these, Tokyo’s Ryogoku hosts three tournaments annually.
The spark was wanting to experience it at least once.
With all this COVID going on, it’s tough, but I thought experiencing one of Japan’s iconic things would be worthwhile.
As for pricing, second-floor seats are very reasonable—3,000 to 9,500 yen.
I bet a lot of people think, “Really, that’s all?”
First-floor box seats run 8,500 to 20,000 yen, so those aren’t pricey either.
Starting with S or A seats on the second floor gives you a relatively easy view. Moving back to B or C seats might feel a bit cramped.
The seats are all quite small overall, and the staircase slope is steep—it’s definitely not wheelchair-accessible. Whatever you do, don’t drink too much or you’ll be stumbling.
You can see wrestlers coming and going right at Ryogoku’s entrance. (Though you won’t see the top three ranks or the yokozuna.) When you see a wrestler in person, you’re struck by their incredible height and massive frame.
The Kikatorikiroku Stable channel—ah, it really feels like the Showa era, you know? It’s got good stories and rough ones too, and it’s genuinely fascinating.
Lately, if I watch one episode, I end up watching five or six.
Well, it’s got nothing to do with bikes, but if you get the chance, definitely check it out.
