July Grand Sumo Tournament (Nagoya)

Held every July, this is the fourth of Japan’s six annual Sumo Tournaments, known as honbasho. With sumo rankings released a few weeks before, it’s a chance to see the traditional sport up close and personal. While the fights are broadcast on NHK, nothing beats the atmosphere of the tense final matches of the day, complete with cushion-throwing and cheers. Seating is divided into box seating – tatami areas seating four people which start at about ¥38,000 and arena seats which start from around ¥3,800.

Sumo matches take place throughout the day and you can leave to grab food before returning. The busiest times are as you may expect—weekends and towards the end of the tournament.
If you’re not here during a tournament but still want to see some sumo action, here are a few ways to make it happen in Tokyo.

(JC Team)

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many events have been canceled. Always check official sites before heading to an event.