01
The six annual basho
- January: Tokyo, Ryogoku Kokugikan.
- March: Osaka, Edion Arena.
- May: Tokyo, Ryogoku Kokugikan.
- July: Nagoya, IG Arena.
- September: Tokyo, Ryogoku Kokugikan.
- November: Fukuoka, Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Events
JR Pass for sumo tournaments in Japan
Sumo's six annual grand tournaments rotate between Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. A JR Pass covers every shinkansen leg, making it easy to combine a tournament with the rest of your Japan trip.
02
Reaching the venues
- Ryogoku Kokugikan: JR Sobu line one stop from Akihabara, included.
- Osaka venue: JR loop line to Bentencho.
- Nagoya venue: short subway ride from Nagoya station.
- Fukuoka venue: bus or subway from Hakata.
03
Tournament travel tips
- Tickets go on sale around a month before each basho.
- Cheap upper deck seats sell out fast for opening and closing days.
- Morning sessions are quiet and great for first time visitors.
- Reserve shinkansen seats early during March (Osaka) and July (Nagoya) tournaments.
04
Pair a tournament with a rail trip
A 7 day JR Pass is ideal: arrive in Tokyo, attend a Ryogoku session, then ride the Tokaido shinkansen to Kyoto, Osaka and back. For Osaka or Nagoya basho, start there and head east through Kyoto and Hakone before returning to Tokyo.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Can I get to all sumo venues with the JR Pass?
Yes. All four host cities are on JR shinkansen lines and the venues are short rides from main JR stations.
How long does a tournament last?
Each basho runs for 15 consecutive days, always starting and ending on a Sunday.
Can I see sumo outside basho months?
Only at morning practice (asageiko) sessions or regional exhibitions. Big arena matches only happen during the six basho.
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