How to Buy Sumo Tournament Tickets in Japan as a Foreigner (Easy Guide 2025)

Introduction

The iconic sport in Japan is sumo wrestling, which is a traditionally and culturally rich sport. A live sumo tournament is a memorable event that cannot be replicated anywhere, and it provides an in-depth insight into Japanese culture.

 But when it comes to the issue of how someone could purchase sumo tournament tickets in Japan as a foreigner, it may even seem somewhat confusing at first. It can be hard to master navigating the ticketing machines in Japan and knowing what kind of seat to get and what times of the year to attend the tournament, but once it is mastered, you can easily start cheering with your favorite rikishi (sumo wrestler).

The 2025 guide given below is a complete and easy-to-follow manual that will guide you through all you need to know in order to land yourself on a sumo tournament. Ready to have the excitement of live sumo wrestling?

Why Attend a Sumo Tournament in Japan?

Sumo is not a mere sport, but a ceremony-sport-athletics-tradition show which is several centuries old. Seeing a live sumo match will help you to see how powerful and strategic, and respected this kind of sport is.

 Since it is part of Japanese culture, every visitor to Japan should go to a sumo tournament at least once in their life, starting with the energetic matches and moving on to the festive ring-entering ceremonies (dohyō-iri).

When and Where Are Sumo Tournaments Held?

In Japan, there are six Grand Sumo tournaments (honbasho) that are held every year. The biggest events where you can see the best wrestlers fight are:

Tournament	Location	Month
Hatsu Basho	Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo	January
Haru Basho	Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium	March
Natsu Basho	Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo	May
Nagoya Basho	Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium	July
Aki Basho	Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo	September
Kyushu Basho	Fukuoka Kokusai Center	November

At the centre of sumo wrestling, Tokyo tournaments, most foreigners are present at the Kyokugikan, Ryogoku.

Step 1: Understanding Sumo Ticket Types and Seating

Sumo tournaments provide different types of tickets, which have dissimilar seating assignments and costs. Such knowledge will assist you in choosing the most suitable one based on your experience.

Common Ticket Types:

• Arena Seats (Masu-seki): Boxes with a seating capacity of 4 persons. These are a real experience as you get to sit on tatami mats, normally in the lower levels. Ideal for groups.
• Reserved Seats: Individual seats in the stands, which are usually more comfortable and preferable to the persons who are going individuals or in couples.
• General Admission: The cheapest and least certain seats are the unreserved seats in the upper levels.
• Ring-side Seats: Premium seats that are too close to the ring and the best ones, but are also costly and scarce.
• Balcony Seats: Bigger and higher seats that view the arena, very affordable.

Step 2: Where to Buy Sumo Tournament Tickets in Japan

There are various ways through which foreigners can buy the tickets, and some of these ways are more convenient and reliable than the others.

Ticket Source	Description	Language Support	Payment Options
Official Sumo Website	Direct sales, Japanese-only interface	Japanese only	Japanese credit cards
Ticket Pia / Lawson / e+	Popular Japanese ticket platforms	Japanese only	Local credit cards, cash
JasumoTickets.com	Trusted English platform for foreigners	English	International credit cards, PayPal
Travel Agencies	Packages including tickets and tours	English	Varies

Jasumo Tickets is very convenient and well-functioning, so it is highly recommended to foreigners.

Step 3: How to Buy Sumo Tickets Online as a Foreigner

Detailed Steps

• Go to a Friendly Website to a Foreigner: Visit  Jasumo Tickets.
• Find the Next Sumo Tournament: The date and venue that one wants to visit are to be selected.
• Select Your Seat Type: Select between arena seating, reserved seating or ring-side.
• Add Tickets to Cart: Choose the quantity of the tickets.
• Register/ Log in: With your email and personal information.
• Check Out: Accepts international credit cards or PayPal.
• Get Confirmed: Digital tickets or pick-up directions will be sent by e-mail.

This process circumvents the hurdle in language and the limitations in payment, which are usually present in Japanese websites.

Step 4: Alternative Ways to Buy Tickets in Japan

• Convenience Stores: At 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart kiosks, one can purchase some of the tickets, but the instructions are in Japanese.
• Box Office in Ryogoku Kokugikan: it is available only on the tournament days, and the line is quite long.
• Hotel Concierge or Travel Agencies: It can help foreigners book their tickets, usually at a fee.

Common Problems Foreigners Face While Buying Sumo Tickets

The foreigners are likely to face the following hurdles:

• Language Barriers: The majority of official ticket sellers use only Japanese.
• Limitations on Payments: On several sites, only Japanese-issued credit cards are accepted.
• Checking of the phone numbers: Japanese phone numbers are very frequent.
• Ticket Scalping: The ones reselling expensive or forged tickets.
• Low Accessibility: High-profile events are sold early.

You can prevent such problems with the help of trusted services such as  Jasumo Tickets.

Pros and Cons of Ticket Buying Options for Foreigners

Method	Pros	Cons
Official Sumo Website	lowest prices, official source	Japanese language only, payment limits
Japanese Ticket Platforms	Wide availability	Language barrier, complicated process
JasumoTickets.com	English support, easy payment	Slight service fees
Convenience Store Purchase	Easy in Japan	Japanese instructions, limited tickets
Travel Agencies	Package deals, support	More expensive

Step 5: Tips for Attending a Sumo Tournament

• Get There Early: Matches begin in the morning, but become the most interesting in the afternoon.
• Dress Comfortably: Chairs may either be on tatami mats or ordinary chairs.
• Traditions: No pictures during the games, no talking during the games, and take off their shoes to their seats in the arena.
• Carry Cash: To eat, buy souvenirs, meet some unexpected costs.
• Take Public Transport: Ryogoku Station will be closest to Kokugikan; trains are also efficient and reliable.

Step 6: Knowing the Schedule of the Tournament

Sumo tournaments are 15 days, during which morning and afternoon are used to hold early rounds featuring the top-ranking wrestlers.

Time	Event
8:00 AM	Doors open, lower division bouts
10:00 AM	Middle division bouts
2:00 PM	Top division bouts
4:30 PM	Final matches and awards

Select the time you wish to attend, depending on which matches to watch.

Why Buy Your Sumo Tickets from Jasumo Tickets?

Therefore, Jasumo Tickets provides a secure and easy way to purchase sumo tournament tickets as a foreigner in Japan:

• Fully English interface.
• Takes foreign credits and PayPal.
• Genuine tickets guaranteed.
• Clear guidelines on the collection of the tickets.
• Good customer service in non-Japanese.

The obstacles are eliminated by this service; therefore, your sumo experience is hassle-free.

Summary of Ticket Types, Pricing, and Availability

Ticket Type	Price Range (JPY)	Best For	Availability
Arena Seats (Masu)	¥15,000 – ¥30,000	Groups, traditional experience	Moderate
Reserved Seats	¥8,000 – ¥20,000	Comfort and convenience	Easy
Ring-side Seats	¥30,000 – ¥50,000+	Premium views, sumo enthusiasts	Limited
Balcony Seats	¥5,000 – ¥10,000	Budget-conscious visitors	Generally available
General Admission	¥3,000 – ¥7,000	Casual, flexible seating	Limited, often sold fast

Last Words

The ticketing system of sumo tournaments in Japan may be seen as a daunting experience at first glance, but when guided properly, it is not hard and pays off. The trick of the matter is to plan, learn about the available seatings, and rely on the websites that are sure and trustworthy, such as Jasumo Tickets, which works with foreigners exclusively.

No matter what you want, is the old-fashioned type of arena seats or the reserved seats where you can watch the amazing sumo wrestling calmly, you will not have to worry. Note that purchasing via official platforms is a sure way of getting authentic tickets and the ability to enter the tournament without any problems.

 Experience the amazing culture, the exciting matches, and the cultural show of sumo wrestling in 2025, and it will be the experience of a lifetime you will have in Japan!