How to Attend a Grand Sumo Tournament in Japan

Grand Sumo tournaments occur six times a year, lasting 15 days each. You must purchase tickets online through the official Sumo Association website exactly one month before the tournament starts, as they sell out within hours.

1. Check the tournament schedule. Go to the official Nihon Sumo Kyokai website to find the dates for the six annual tournaments: January (Tokyo), March (Osaka), May (Tokyo), July (Nagoya), September (Tokyo), and November (Fukuoka).
2. Book your tickets online. Create an account on the official Sumo ticket site (buy-sumo.com) before tickets go on sale. Tickets usually drop at 10:00 AM JST exactly one month before the tournament begins. Be logged in and ready to click refresh.
3. Choose your seat type. Select 'Box Seats' if you are in a group of 4 (you sit on cushions on the floor), or 'Chair Seats' (Arena style) for individual tickets. If you are on a budget, 'Arena C' or 'Balcony' seats are the most affordable and offer a full view of the ring.
4. Arrive mid-day. Don't arrive at 8:00 AM unless you want to watch the lower-division wrestlers. The top-tier (Makuuchi) wrestlers start their matches at 4:00 PM. Arriving at 2:00 PM gives you enough time to see the crowd fill up and catch the ritualistic ring-entering ceremonies.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

Rarely. Almost every Grand Tournament sells out weeks in advance. Do not rely on day-of tickets.

What should I wear to a sumo match?

There is no strict dress code, but clean, smart-casual clothing is standard. Avoid wearing anything that obscures the view of the person behind you.

Can I take photos?

Yes, photography is allowed from your seat, but do not use flash and do not stand up in the aisles to take photos.