WHEN
The six major professional tournaments
take place in every odd-numbered
month, and last 15 days. See the
schedule below for further details.
March to May and September to
November are the best months
weather-wise to visit Japan.
WHERE
There are six major sumo tournaments
a year, in Tokyo and Osaka. The
schedule is published online (www.
sumo.or.jp/EnTicket/year_schedule),
and you can book tickets on the same
site. A basic arena ticket will cost you
USD 37; and a Japanese box is around
USD 366.
HOW
Fly to Tokyo and check in at the
centrally located Royal Park Hotel The
Shiodome (www.rph-the.co.jp) and
take a city walking tour with Walk Japan
(www.walkjapan.com) to orientate
yourself and put sumo in its historical
and cultural context.
EXPERIENCE
SUMO
2000 s
The first US
Sumo Open,
the largest
annual sumo
tournament
outside Japan,
took place in
the USA. In
2016, sumo
wrestler Hakuho
won his 37th
championship
with a perfect
15-0 score.
JAPAN
OSAKA TOK YO