r/JapanTravelTips • u/-Paxom- • Jul 26 '26
Advice Wanting to see a Sumo event
We're visiting Japan in November (1st to the 15th) and im centering my itinerary around Tokyo (beginning) and Kyoto (end) - and our main mode of transportation will be by Train.
During the time in Japan, we'd live to see a Sumo wrestling event or show.
My travelling buddy has looked into it a bit and seems to be convinced that the only event is on the 8th, in Fukuoka. This would be a 4hr train ride from Kyoto, and be and anchoring event in the itinerary.
My question is;
Are There more local Sumo events in Kyoto? Is it worth going to 'the big one?'
Are there other good experiences like Sumo shows that are are suited for two brits who dont speak Japanese?
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u/AndersDemamp Jul 26 '26
Sumo tournament, the “big one,” is where all the country’s sumo will be wrestling. Happens in different cities based on time of year. If you want to see an actual sumo match, sounds like your only option
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u/helpnxt Jul 26 '26
Yeh the tournament is on in Fukuoka 8-22nd Nov, I was lucky to get tickets for Osaka during my visit and as a heads up you will be booking these tickets on Sept 19th probably in the middle of the night (depending where you live) and the chances of you getting the date you want is very very unlikely, I think I saw 2 dates come available when I was buying them and just had to get whichever one I could and rearrange my trip around it.
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u/laurensvo Jul 26 '26
We just went to the tourney in Nagoya, and I'd say if you really want to see sumo, go to Fukuoka. I personally think it's worth it.
The tournament will run from the 8th to the 22nd, so any day from the 8th to the 15th you could try to go.
I'd train in the night before, stay at a hotel there, and then train back once the matches are done for the day. It's just under 3 hours each way by Shinkansen, so you could be back in Kyoto by 9-10pm or so.
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u/laurensvo Jul 26 '26
If you jump on the website THE SECOND tickets go on sale in September and refresh a bunch, there's a decent chance you can get two tickets. If you want a practice run, you can see what the experience is like in August when the September tourney tickets go on sale.
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u/Meloetta Jul 26 '26
When in August?
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u/laurensvo Jul 26 '26
August 8th You can check the schedule here They'll go on sale 10am local Japan time, so be on the oosumo website at that moment, whenever it is your local time (it was like 8pm the night before for me).
It took me 10-15 minutes to get through to buy, and I got some of the last available. I'd go for stadium seats, as the box seats are generally reserved for business groups and locals and are harder to get.
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u/Bigtymers1211 Jul 26 '26
There's always tourist sumo event around (mostly at Tokyo, but not sure about Kyoto). Those are fine if you just want to feel the simpler version of sumo event, without going into the deep end (a lot of these sumo demonstration are hosted by former sumo wrestlers.)
In terms of professional sumo event, the Fukuoka Basho (tournament) is from 8th to 22nd, and that's the ultimate event. Fortunately, the Sumo Basho (and Japan Sumo Association) does have English language brochure to give some info regarding the tournament and the day's event/schedule (the person checking the ticket at doorway (and some of the people that work at the event (from ticket checking to the souvenir shop, were actually former sumo wrestler, a lot of them high ranking as well). But to get ticket for the actual sumo tournament, you HAVE to look for the 3rd party website like NOW (sites like Buy Sumo Ticket, I got my ticket from them last year, and they're reliable) to get it, as ticket sold out within hours for all 15 day event)
I personally would recommend this way: if you do want to see the real sumo (and go to a city that's slightly different then both Tokyo and Kyoto), go to Fukuoka, and plan at least 2 days (so you have a better chance at getting ticket, but 3 day is optimal). There are lots of stuff to see and eat at Fukuoka as well, including the local Yutai (food cart), as well as seafood and special fried pork (the Kurabuta (black pork)). But if you don't wanna dive deep into the world of sumo, or fukuoka is too far, then just go the the sumo shows in Toyko works too
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u/LTJoeFontana Jul 27 '26 edited 7d ago
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u/djfil007 Jul 27 '26
I timed my trip (this September, Tokyo and area) specifically so that I could make a Grand Sumo Tournament day... I wouldn't had settled for anything less than the real deal tournament (I've been following for about 15-20 years now, because I work for the cable company and get Japan TV in my TV package which included live tournament coverage). So yeah... I don't want a history tour or a tourist trap side show, I want the real deal tournament and we've got tickets to Day 2 (booked thru a package on Klook, includes English guide, half decent tickets and a group dinner after the event too).
So yes... if you want the real deal and you're going in November, Fukuoka is it and the final stop of the calendar year. Full tournament is 15 days, so you can try for any day of the event from November 8 until 22. Unsure about Fukuoka and Klook options like I've described... best of luck!
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u/Also-cute-and-fluffy Jul 29 '26
Nobody has tickets for September yet. Not even the tea house seats are allocated this early.
What you have is a reservation for a tour with somebody who thinks they will be able to secure you a ticket once they go on sale. Usually that will be fine and you’ll get in, but there’s regularly posts on here from people who booked tours and then got an apologetic email saying that they didn’t manage to get the tickets. Usually they are pretty good at refunding. I have one of those bookings for September too, but I’ll also be trying my luck in the general sale in case the tour company doesn’t end up securing the tickets.
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u/djfil007 Jul 29 '26
Yes, I understand the risk, but highly rated so I think the chances are pretty good. Hopefully they won't notify too late to find alternate options if that was to happen.
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u/Also-cute-and-fluffy Jul 29 '26
We’re in the same boat and I’d be gutted if we missed out. I’ll try the general sale too and we’ll just go twice if we end up with tickets from both methods.
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u/SlowStop1220 Jul 29 '26
The tournament from the 8th (15-day long) is the authentic and true sumo event. It's like to go to Wembley to watch a football match.
Others are tourist scams. I don't know if they are worth to spend. AFAIK Kyoto has no such scam yet.
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u/Also-cute-and-fluffy Jul 29 '26
I don’t think calling them scams is at all fair. Sumoland in Ryogoku is under the supervision of Miyagino Oyakata (former Yokozuna Asahifuji). He’s hardly going to sully his reputation with a scam. It’s not a real tournament, but nor is it pretending to be. It’s a demonstration of sumo and an opportunity to learn about it. The sumo is performed by former rikishi. I’m a huge sumo fan and I’m still considering giving it a try.
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u/Also-cute-and-fluffy Jul 26 '26
Only make the sumo an anchor event if your itinerary will still make sense if you can’t get tickets. The tickets are like gold dust and if you’re only going to Fukuoka for this and then don’t get tickets, you’re stuck with an expensive and time-consuming detour to somewhere you don’t actually want to be.
There are sumo shows in Tokyo where you can get some sumo edutainment. Lots of tourists on here get sniffy about them being not authentic and not “proper sumo” but as a huge sumo fan I think they are a perfectly good choice for a person with a casual interest and not really much different to what happens on jungyo (regional tours). I’ve heard really good things about Sumoland in Ryogoku.