May Grand Sumo Tournament 2025 – Tokyo

• Event date:
  May 11, 2025 at 2:52 pm
• Event end:
  May 25, 2025 at 2:52 pm

The May Grand Sumo Tournament is one of Japan’s most iconic sporting events, drawing fans from around the country and abroad to witness the power, discipline, and tradition of sumo wrestling. As the third official tournament out of six held annually, the May basho (tournament) holds special significance, marking the midpoint of the sumo calendar and often featuring key ranking battles that set the tone for the rest of the year.

Event Details

• Event Name: May Grand Sumo Tournament 2025 (Natsu Basho)
• Dates: 15-day tournament held from May 11 (Sunday) to May 25 (Sunday), 2025
• Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall, Tokyo
  (Located in the heart of Ryogoku, the traditional sumo district)
• Opening Time: Matches start around 8:30 AM with lower-ranked rikishi (wrestlers);
  Main bouts begin in the afternoon, ending around 6:00 PM with top-division matches.
• Tickets: Available in advance and at the door (if not sold out).
  Ticket types include arena floor box seats, chair seating, and balcony seats.
• Atmosphere: Highly charged and culturally rich, with fans cheering, chanting, and occasionally tossing seat cushions in the air during surprise victories or dramatic upsets.

Types of tickets

Masu-seki (Box Seats): Japanese-style boxes where you sit directly on the floor.
Arena Seats (Chair Seats): These are Similar to the seats found in typical sports stadiums.

The price for one box, accommodating four people, is approximately Masu Box B(Box Seat B)  

• Weekend & Holiday   ¥42,000* (including tax).  
• Weekday     ¥40,000* (including tax).
• Masu Box C (Box Seat C)  Weekend & Holiday   ¥38,000* (including tax).  
• Weekday ¥34,000* (including tax).
• The price for one arena seat is approximately
• Chair Seats B  Weekend & Holiday ¥5,500* (including tax).  
• Weekday   ¥5,000* (including tax).
• Chair Seats C  Weekend & Holiday   ¥4,000* (including tax).  
• Weekday ¥3,500* (including tax).

* Prices may vary depending on the venue.

What to Expect

• Cultural Immersion:
  Beyond the sport itself, attending a sumo tournament is a deep dive into Japanese tradition. Visitors will see wrestlers perform rituals steeped in Shinto influence—salt purification, ceremonial foot stomping, and the famous ring-entering ceremony (dohyō-iri).
• Elite Rikishi:
  Top division wrestlers including Yokozuna (grand champions), Ozeki, and Maegashira will compete. Expect intense clashes, strategic throws, and massive crowd reactions—especially in the final matches of each day.
• Fan Rituals:
  It’s a long-standing tradition for fans to throw cushions in the air when an underdog defeats a Yokozuna or when a particularly exciting upset occurs in the ring. This adds to the electric energy of the final hours of each matchday.
• Food & Souvenirs:
  On-site vendors sell classic sumo-themed bento boxes, snacks, merchandise (including towels, magazines, and sumo figurines), and memorabilia featuring popular wrestlers. There are also nearby restaurants in Ryogoku offering chanko nabe, the famous sumo stew.
• Ideal for Tourists:
  English commentary is sometimes available via rental radios, and official programs usually offer summaries and wrestler profiles in English. The venue is foreigner-friendly and well-staffed for guidance.

Location Access

• Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall
  Address: 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
• Access:
  • Directly accessible from Ryogoku Station (JR Sobu Line or Toei Oedo Line)
  • About 5–10 minutes from central Tokyo areas like Akihabara or Ueno

Tips for Visitors

• Buy tickets early: Popular matchdays (especially the first, middle Sunday, and final days) often sell out quickly.
• Come early or stay all day: Early bouts offer more relaxed seating and a chance to explore the arena at your own pace.
• Observe etiquette: Applaud respectfully, avoid flash photography, and embrace the solemnity of rituals between matches.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong fan of Japanese culture, the May Grand Sumo Tournament delivers an unforgettable experience. From the thunderous impact of two rikishi colliding to the rhythmic chanting of the crowd, this event captures the spirit of tradition and the thrill of competition in one uniquely Japanese spectacle.

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