ryogoku photo overview-- ++ Sumo Heart of Tokyo

h o n ... k o m a g o m e

Sumo Heartland of Tokyo ---- Situated on the banks of the Sumida River downstream from Asakusa, Ryogoku is the center of sumo wrestling in Tokyo. It boasts the city's sumo stadium, many sumo stables, and restaurant devoted to chanko, the hearty sumo cuisine. Accordign to japan-guide.com, sumo wrestling wasn't always held at big, expensive, centralized stadiums. "Until the beginning of the 20th century, sumo tournaments were held outdoors at shrines and temples. In 1909, the first permanent sumo hall was built in the Ryogoku area, where outdoor sumo events had been held for a long time before."

Ryogoku is synonymous with sumo. This is where most sumo-tori live and practice. Yukata clad sumo-tori are a common sight and if you are willing to get up early (5-6am) you might have a chance to peep at their morning training session in one of the wrestling stables of the neighbourhood. Sumo wrestling competition take place at the new Kokugikan sumo arena. Six major tournaments are held for 15 days each year in Japan, among which three at Ryogoku's Kokugikan in January, May and September. The remaining three are held in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. The bouts starts at 8:30 am with the beginners, and ends around 6:00 pm with the best wrestlers of the day. The cheapest same-day tickets can be purchased from 2,100. Good seats right next to the action can be very expensive though.

If you are yearning to learn more about the legendary giants, have a look at the exibits of the Sumo Museum or the some 50.000 "rikishi" (sumo) pictures at the small Sumo Photographic Museum.



	h o n ... k o m a g o m e Sumo Heartland of Tokyo ---- Situated on the banks of the Sumida River downstream from Asakusa, Ryogoku is the center of sumo wrestling in Tokyo. It boasts the city's sumo stadium, many sumo stables, and restaurant devoted to chanko, the hearty sumo cuisine. Accordign to japan-guide.com, sumo wrestling wasn't always held at big, expensive, centralized stadiums. "Until the beginning of the 20th century, sumo tournaments were held outdoors at shrines and temples. In 1909, the first permanent sumo hall was built in the Ryogoku area, where outdoor sumo events had been held for a long time before." Ryogoku is synonymous with sumo. This is where most sumo-tori live and practice. Yukata clad sumo-tori are a common sight and if you are willing to get up early (5-6am) you might have a chance to peep at their morning training session in one of the wrestling stables of the neighbourhood. Sumo wrestling competition take place at the new Kokugikan sumo arena. Six major tournaments are held for 15 days each year in Japan, among which three at Ryogoku's Kokugikan in January, May and September. The remaining three are held in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. The bouts starts at 8:30 am with the beginners, and ends around 6:00 pm with the best wrestlers of the day. The cheapest same-day tickets can be purchased from 2,100. Good seats right next to the action can be very expensive though. If you are yearning to learn more about the legendary giants, have a look at the exibits of the Sumo Museum or the some 50.000 "rikishi" (sumo) pictures at the small Sumo Photographic Museum.
	[ryogoku -- sumo heart of tokyo] tokyo japan 2005 copyright rob sullivan 1996-2005 and beyond!