Its a fair statement to say that sumo wrestling must be one of the worlds most unique national sports. It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the shinto deities. Dec 01, 2015 watching a sumo wrestling tournament in tokyo is one of the best events to attend in japan. Unfortunately, it has nothing on the actual techniques used from the standpoint of a competing wrestler. How to see sumo in osaka or kyoto if youre going to be in japan in mid to late march, you can see sumo in osaka. A japanese book on sumo wrestling, by the great sumo wrestler taniemon hitachiyama. For exchange rates between the yen and your currency, use the currency converter at the bottom of the page. It is possible to buy tickets for sumo in person at the stadium on the day of a. Jun 30, 2019 sumo wrestling tokyo martial arts are one of the pillars of traditional japanese culture and so are sumo wrestlers who are regarded as living gods in japan. Perfect guide to sumo book in japanese english language bilingual wrestling 2017. Grand tournament schedule nihon sumo kyokai official grand. I was out of luck 3 times to obtain tickets due to it being sold out so prior to booking my plane.
Tokyo hosts three tournaments each year, involving hundreds of wrestlers from japan and abroad, across six divisions. Sumo may seem comical to you and me, but it is actually a very serious business there is an awful lot more to sumo wrestling than most outsiders ever realise. Lowly ranked wrestlers go in the morning progressing to the 42 wrestlers in the top division by about 4 in the afternoon. The hierarchical structure of the sport, in which a. Like most professional sports, using an illegal move.
The 2020 sumo wrestling tournament schedule for japan, including ryogoku kokugikan in tokyo, osaka, nagoya and fukuoka is detailed below. Want to see a sumo wrestling fight during your visit to japan. While in tokyo, japan, learn about the history and art of sumo complete with a chanko nabe lunch and the chance to challenge a sumo wrestler. How to buy nihon sumo kyokai official grand sumo home page.
A japanese guide will take you through to the world of sumo. Professional sumo has 6 championships each year that are known as honbasho. The first is a japanese style box in which you sit on the floor. Sumo originated in japan as early as the 1600s and japan remains the only country where this heavyweight sport is practiced professionally. So if youd like to see sumo wrestlers, you can of course attend a match during national.
Tickets are sold for each day of the 15day tournaments. Grand tournament schedule nihon sumo kyokai official. This is a list of wrestlers who have won the top division makuuchi championship since 1909, when the current championship system was established. One of our main ambitions visiting japan was to see a sumo competition as it such a large iconic part of japans culture. Sumo wrestler challenge with a chanko nabe lunch in tokyo, japan. Its a fantastic spectacle which offers unique insights into japanese culture as it has been performed ever since the ancient shinto period there are many places to see sumo wrestling in japan though the best way is to catch one of the spectacular sumo tournaments. Portraits of past tournament champions look down on the venue. Sumo is one of japans most wellknown sports, and a highly authentic japanese cultural experience in and of itself. How to buy sumo wrestling tickets japan concert tickets. Japanese sumo wrestling popular bet at william hill las.
Japantravel submitted 2 years ago by tacticalnous hi folks im travelling to japan for my honeymoon at the end of april. Fast paced, colorful and full of ritual, these tournaments are a fascinating glimpse into traditional japanese culture and a fun part of any tokyo itinerary. Tickets are sold via the official ticket sales site of the japan sumo association. Inside the secret world of japans elite sumo wrestlers. Along with geisha, mount fuji, bullet trains and tentacle porn, nothing epitomizes the outside image of japan quite like the ancient sport of sumo.
Due to the amount of money changing hands depending on rank, and prize money, there had been reports of yaocho corruption, boutfixing in professional sumo for years before it was finally definitively proven to exist in 2011. Almost all these books cover a similar amount of material, but all usually specialize in something more than the others history, heya life, personal stories. Read here where and how to purchase tickets for sumo tournaments. You should check the website well before the next tournament to confirm the. A thinking fans guide to japan s national sport is a very witty and charming guide to sumo, perfect for new fans or for fans who have seen a basho or two or 100. How to buy sumo wrestling online tickets in 2020 pretraveller. For most people, buying in advance from ticket oosumo is the easiest and most reliable way. Watching a sumo wrestling tournament in tokyo is one of the best events to attend in japan. Hi i am looking to go to japan next year and want to see the sumo wrestling. We accept orders for njpw and other japanese pro wrestling events. The 2020 sumo wrestling tournament schedule for japan, including ryogoku kokugikan in tokyo.
Fighters live in communal stables where every aspect of their daily lives is dictated by strict. Its a rare chance for visitors to glimpse this exclusive world, and a fascinating window into a japanese tradition. Tips for watching sumo wrestling in japan in 2020 and 2021. Sumo wrestler challenge with a chanko nabe lunch in tokyo. Nagoya, japan the sound of bodies slapping against each other rocks the stifling sumo stable in the japanese city of nagoya, as 11 gigantic wrestlers wearing only loincloths t. Professional sumo tournaments are held in japan six times per year, once in every oddnumbered month. Getting tickets to a sumo match held in tokyo, osaka, nagoya and fukuoka can be done on the day of the match, but it is best to book tickets in advance as the good seats are usually snapped up very fast. Each tournament starts and ends on a sunday and lasts 15 days. Many rituals with religious background, such as the symbolic purification of the ring with salt, are still followed today. A great alternative option is to watch a sumo training session as it is a great way to learn more about this fascinating japanese tradition, and you are also a lot closer to the action.
It wasnt until i attended a sumo tournament in osaka earlier this year that i began to realise just how fascinating japans national sport really is. The next tournament in tokyo is september th to 27th, 2020. Sumo ozumo is an ancient form of wrestling which has long been the national sport of japan. Experience the rare chance to sit in on a training session at a sumo stable. Enjoy the rare experience of viewing an authentic sumo wrestler training session. Ride the subway with fellow sumo fans to the kokugikan sumo amphitheater and enjoy several sumowrestling matches in the afternoon. The best place to find out about upcoming schedules is the japan sumo association site in english. Seeing sumo in action is one of the best cultural experiences you can have in japan and watching a sumo tournament should definitely be on your list but theres a way to experience this centuries old sport up close and personal as in twenty feet away personal by visiting a sumo stable and watching the morning training session, known as asageiko. Sumo wrestling tokyo how to watch the morning training at. I know this takes place several times per year can anyone let me know where i. Sumo by andy adams and clyde newton a few years go i put together this nearcomprehensive list of englishlanguage books on sumo wrestling. Watch the sumo wrestlers morning practice at a sumo stable. The book took more than 1,000 bets on its nevada mobile app on the final three days of matches at sumo haru basho 2020, a professional sumo wrestling tournament that ended sunday in osaka. How to buy tickets for a tokyo sumo match truly tokyo.
The next tournament in tokyo is may 10th to 24th, 2020. Unfollow japanese wrestling book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Beforehand, visit the fascinating sumo museum to see sumorelated objects from the edo period to the present. Nov 22, 2019 tips for watching sumo wrestling in japan. List of sumo tournament top division champions wikipedia. Watch morning practice at a sumo stable in tokyo 2020. Sumo tournaments known as basho in japanese usually last two weeks, with daily matches during this period. Sumo wrestling is one of the worlds most distinctive forms of wrestling. Toyko sumo wrestling practice tourist japan book now. Sumo wrestlers morning training watch true japan tours. Jul 19, 2017 nagoya, japan the sound of bodies slapping against each other rocks the stifling sumo stable in the japanese city of nagoya, as 11 gigantic wrestlers wearing only loincloths t. English nihon sumo kyokai official grand sumo home page.
It is very difficult to find a japanese who have watched the sumo wrestlers morning training so, this tour will welcome you to a very special and. Each day feels like a marathon that runs from about 9. Dec 30, 2014 professional sumo has 6 championships each year that are known as honbasho. Kokkai helped european rikishi arrive in sumo world. As you might imagine, sumo wrestlers wake up early, with lowerranked. The traditional roof hangs over the sumo ring in the ryogoku kokugikan, tokyo. The best way to see sumo is to attend a sumo tournament.
In my searching, this book seems to be very scarce. Apr 08, 2020 the 2020 sumo wrestling tournament schedule for japan, including ryogoku kokugikan in tokyo, osaka, nagoya and fukuoka is detailed below. Sumo wrestling is considered to be japans national sport and its a huge hit with tourists. Benjamin is funny throughout and shows sumo through a series of anecdotes and personal experience, as well as traditional sumo knowledge and history. The aim of the game is to force your opponent out of a ring called the dohyo. Visit a sumo training center in tokyo to observe the morning practice.
I found the big book of sumo to be an awesome little book on the history and tradition of sumo. Originating in japan, sumo can trace its roots back to the edo period of japans history circa 1603 and was a popular form of entertainment. Our officially certified tour guide comes to meet you at your hotel and gives you basic guidance on sumo history and etiquette for visiting a sumo stable. A rikishi can also lose if hes forced to touch the ground with anything other than the bottom of his feet. A thinking fans guide to japans national sport is a very witty and charming guide to sumo, perfect for new fans or for fans who have seen a basho or two or 100.
Honbasho are major sporting events that span 15 days. How to buy tickets for the sumo in tokyo japanistry. Tickets sell out quickly once the official ticket sales are released, so ensure you preorder early through our. The wrestlers are called rikishi or sekitori depending on their rank, the latter being more prestigious. In tokyo, these honbasho are held at ryogoku kokugikan in east tokyo, a sporting venue mainly used for sumo events with a capacity of about 11,000. Upgrade your experience to include dinner at a chanko. The wrestlers try to force each other out of the ring known as a dohyo and the first person to touch the ground with a body part other than the soles of their feet or to get forced out of the ring loses. Most visitors to japan are keen to have a sumo wrestling experience, however the main sumo tournaments are only held six times per year. May 2020 sumo tournament tickets in tokyo japan wonder travel.
Sumo, sumo is a japanese style of wrestling and japans national sport. Most japanese people watch sumo either on tv or at the sumo stadium. Send us a contact form now to be notified when we begin. Matchfixing in professional sumo is an allegation that has plagued professional sumo for decades. These grand sumo tournaments are spread over 15 days, so theres a total of 45 days of topclass sumo in tokyo each year. There will be special events in march and april around japan. Nov 03, 2019 most visitors to japan are keen to have a sumo wrestling experience, however the main sumo tournaments are only held six times per year.
It first appeared to be a daunting challenge as there were so many sites and options. Fast paced, colorful and full of ritual, these tournaments are a fascinating glimpse into traditional japanese culture and a. Buying tickets in advance is difficult, but you can wake up early and buy sameday tickets at the stadium. Spend approximately two hours watching the sumo wrestlers train and observe the rules and regulations of sumo.
Despite its honored position as the national sport, in recent times it has suffered from scandals and a dearth of japanese wrestlers in the top ranks. There are six major tournaments honbasho held in japan annuallyone on each oddnumbered monthand they take place over a twoweek period at one of four different venues across the country. Given their social status, they are quite difficult to approach, especially champions. Booking ticket for sumo wrestling japan forum tripadvisor. The toyko sumo wrestling experience is available daily and includes a local, english speaking guide as well as the entrance to the sumo stable. Still considered a sacred event, the pavilion in which. Dont miss the opportunity to see a traditional sumo tournament when youre in tokyo. The first rikishi whose place of origin was listed as somewhere outside japan was hiraga, who joined professional sumo. Sumo wrestling is one of japans greatest traditionsheres all you need to know. Watching a sumo wrestling match in japan is highlyrecommended if you come during tournament time. One of our main ambitions visiting japan was to see a sumo competition as it such a large iconic part of japan s culture.
Tickets sell out quickly once the official ticket sales are released, so ensure you preorder early through our recommended providers to have the best chance of success. If there is a tournament on while you are in town, there are three main ways to buy sumo tickets. These official tournaments are held exclusively in japan. It is very difficult to find a japanese who have watched the sumowrestlers morning training so, this tour will welcome you to a very special and. But few wouldbe travelers to japan know much about the ancient sport of sumo, so weve put together this simple guide to experiencing sumo in japan.
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