The 58th NHK Welfare Sumo Tournament in Japan 2026 Ticket Information

• February 7, 2026 at 9:00 am
  Event date:
• February 7, 2026 at 6:00 pm
  Event end:

Overview

The 58th NHK Welfare Sumo Tournament is a special annual charity event held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, the home of professional sumo in Tokyo. While the name includes “Sumo Tournament,” the event is actually a unique blend of sumo exhibitions and a variety of entertainment performances, making it a highly anticipated cultural and philanthropic occasion. The tournament aims to support welfare programs, with proceeds contributing to social causes.

The program typically features rare and exciting sumo displays, such as comical skits by the rikishi (sumo wrestlers), and demonstration matches. Crucially, the event also includes live performances by a range of popular Japanese artists. For the 58th edition, the cast includes Umetani Kokoa, the idol group STU48, Kawanaka Miyuki, and Mizumori Kaori, ensuring a diverse and entertaining spectacle that goes beyond a typical sumo competition.

Why Attend

• Experience a unique cultural event that combines traditional sumo demonstrations with modern musical performances.
• Witness sumo wrestlers in rare, comedic performances and exhibition matches that showcase the lighter side of the sport.
• The event is a charity tournament, meaning your attendance contributes directly to welfare and social programs supported by NHK.
• Enjoy performances by popular Japanese artists and groups, including the idol group STU48 and enka singers like Kawanaka Miyuki and Mizumori Kaori.

Schedule & Ticket Information

Jasumo Tickets provide Concierge Ticket Service that assists international visitors in securing tickets that usually require many verifications. Submit your request through the Jasumo Contact Form by sharing your preferred date, venue or performance, ticket type, and quantity. Once you’ve reviewed the event details, simply confirm your selection and our bilingual team will support you end-to-end, including Smart Ticket application and payment coordination via credit card, convenience store, or ATM.

Please note that ticket availability is not guaranteed. After receiving your request, we will first check real-time availability on the official ticket platform. If tickets are available, we’ll make every effort to secure them for you. If they are sold out, don’t worry — we can also source tickets through trusted and verified resale marketplaces in Japan, helping you get the best possible seats.

Disclaimer

Jasumo offers a specialized facilitation service for foreign tourists and non-Japanese residents in Japan, assisting with ticket acquisition for cultural and entertainment events through authorized and official platforms. We are not a ticket reseller and do not sell tickets directly. Our role is to guide international customers through the official booking process and help overcome common challenges, including:

• Language Barriers: Many ticketing systems operate only in Japanese; Jasumo provides full bilingual support.
• Local Platforms: Assistance with lottery applications, payment procedures, and e-ticket delivery methods.

Faqs

What is the difference between Masu seats and 2nd-floor seats?

Masu seats are traditional box seats on the first floor of the Kokugikan, where a small group sits on cushions on the floor. The 2nd-floor seats are standard theater-style chair seats.

Is food or a bento box included with the ticket price?

Some ticket options are listed with an accompanying “bento ticket” price, which includes a bento (lunch box). The base ticket prices do not include food unless explicitly stated, such as with the Tareki seat.

What is a “Tareki” seat?

Tareki is a specific type of seat, often a chair-style seat positioned on the 1st floor close to the dohyo (ring), but it is a special ticket that typically does not allow food or drink in that area.

Is it possible to purchase only the bento/lunch box ticket separately?

The ticket information indicates prices for the seat alone and prices including one or more bento tickets, suggesting you must select the ticket type that includes the bento at the time of purchase.

Are children allowed to attend the tournament?

Children under the age of two are admitted free of charge, but they will be required to purchase a ticket if they need their own separate seat. Otherwise, they must be held by an adult.

Location