Sumo in Tokyo

Sumo is the national sport of Japan and over the years the sport has become extremely watch able also. The sport involves two wrestlers fighting in a ring called dohyou. In a sumo wrestling match one has to drag the opponent outside the ring or make any part of his body touch the ground. Sumo wrestling is not about muscle power only as it involves higher degree of speed, weight, reflexes and movement.

Tokyo gets to share a fair amount sumo wrestling excitement of the country as three out of the six major tournaments which are held in Japan takes place in Tokyo.
The tournaments in Tokyo are held in a place called Kokugikan which is a renowned Sumo stadium situated in the east of Ginza. The best mode of transport which one can avail is a train since taxis are an expensive proposition.

Tickets for the Sumo tournaments are difficult to get and it has to be arranged in advance, the tournaments are whole day affairs but the top wrestlers usually take to the ring only by evening. This is perhaps the most exciting time to be as you can witness fights of very high quality. Foods and refreshments are available outside the stadium to satisfy your gastronomical requirements. If you feel that you are missing out on the action then you can rent the FM radios at a small price on which you can get play by play commentary both in Japanese and in English.

If you are in Tokyo during any of the tournaments then you should try to attend the tournaments as it presents a unique ambience with very a high quality of competition. Tickets have to be arranged a month or so in advanced.

There are quite a few seating arrangements but if you have the money then you can book a boxed are near the ring called masu seki which can accommodate four people. These seats are nearest to the ring and give you the feeling of being closest to the action. These boxed rings cost anything between 36,800 yen to 45,200 yen. An ordinary seat on the other hand cost only a fraction of this price, so whatever might be your budget you can enjoy the fights depending on your might to spend.