Written by TC Team
Held every January, this is the first of Japan’s six 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.
Tickets and seats
| Seat Type | Price from | Notes | Booking Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arena | ¥3,500 | Likely to sell out early | Ticket Pia (currently unavaliable) |
| 2nd Floor (Class B) or 1st Floor | ¥14,000 | Some plans include an English-speaking tour guide | JTB Sunrise Tours (currently unavaliable), Viator (available now), and Klook (currently unavaliable) |
| 2nd Floor (Class A) | ¥23,000 | Includes light snack | JTB Sunrise Tours (currently unavaliable) |
Tickets can be purchased online in advance from December 6.
Seating is divided into box seating — tatami areas seating four people — which start at around ¥40,000 (for 4 people), and arena seats — which start from ¥3,500, but are more realistically in the ¥5,000–¥10,000 range.
Sumo tournament dates
There are six tournaments throughout the year. Not here during a tournament? Fear not. See sumo throughout the year in Tokyo.
2025 sumo dates
- September Tournament in Tokyo: Sept. 14–28 (tickets on sale from Aug. 9, 2025)
- November Tournament in Fukuoka: Nov. 9–23 (tickets on sale from Sep. 20, 2025)
2026 sumo dates
- January Tournament in Tokyo: Jan. 11–25 (tickets on sale from Dec. 6, 2025)
- March Tournament in Osaka: Mar. 8–22 (tickets on sale from Feb. 7, 2026)
- May Tournament in Tokyo: May 10–24 (tickets on sale from April 4, 2026)
- July Tournament in Nagoya: Jul. 12–26 (tickets on sale from May 16, 2026)
- September Tournament in Tokyo: Sept. 13–27 (tickets on sale from Aug. 8, 2026)
- November Tournament in Fukuoka: Nov. 8–22 (tickets on sale from Sep. 19, 2026)
What time should I go?
Sumo matches take place throughout the day and you can leave to grab food and return when you like. Most of the excitement starts in the afternoon around 2 p.m. and the busiest days are as you may expect — weekends and towards to end of the tournament.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.Add to Calendar
- 158 m from Ryōgoku Station Oedo Line (E12)Chūō-Sōbu Line (JB19)
- 0.7 km from Kuramae Station Asakusa Line (A17)Oedo Line (E11)
- 0.9 km from Asakusabashi Station Asakusa Line (A16)Chūō-Sōbu Line (JB20)
