Ryogoku Kokugikan access for Tokyo grand sumo: stay in Ryogoku or Kuramae, time your arrival, drop-offs at small inns, and flying out on the final day.
Tokyo hosts three grand sumo tournaments a year — in January, May and September — all at the Kokugikan in Ryogoku, each running for 15 days. For exact dates and tickets, check the Japan Sumo Association. Fans flying in for the sumo usually stay near the arena, and for Ryogoku Kokugikan access this part of town has three quirks: lots of small inns, narrow lanes, and the Sumida River running through the middle.
Ryogoku or Kuramae: a river apart
- Ryogoku (Sumida ward, east bank). The Kokugikan stands right by JR Ryogoku Station, surrounded by sumo stables and chanko-nabe restaurants. Stay here for the shortest walk to the arena.
- Kuramae and Asakusabashi (Taito ward, west bank). A walk across the bridge to the Kokugikan, with plenty of small boutique hotels and guesthouses, and Asakusa within easy reach.
For choosing a base more broadly, see where to stay in Tokyo, from an airport transfer angle; for Oshiage, also in Sumida ward, see Narita and Haneda to Tokyo Skytree.
Both are inside Tokyo, so the transfer price is the same — the difference is where the car can stop. Around Ryogoku Station it is busy during a tournament, while inns in Kuramae and Asakusabashi are often on narrow lanes. Give the Japanese name, address and entrance of your accommodation when booking; our team will confirm the drop-off point with the driver, and if the car cannot get in, you will be dropped on the nearest wider road for a short walk.
Ryogoku Kokugikan access on arrival day: bags first
Bouts start in the morning and build towards early evening, with the top-division wrestlers in the later part of the day.
- Landing in the morning or before midday: drop your bags at your accommodation, then head to the Kokugikan in the afternoon in time for the top division.
- Landing in the afternoon or evening: check in and rest, and watch the next day.
- Suitcases are not something to take into the arena, and if you are buying souvenirs or carrying camera gear, leave room for the trip home. For a family with big suitcases, the Alphard seats 7 with room for 6 bags; for larger groups, the Hiace seats 10 with room for 9.
The final day and going home
The last day of a tournament is called senshuraku. After the closing ceremony the whole crowd leaves at once, and the area around the Kokugikan and Ryogoku Station is at its busiest. If you are flying that evening, include your flight time and accommodation in your booking and our team will confirm a departure time; if it is too tight, fly the next day and leave straight from your accommodation. Ryogoku is about 30–45 minutes from Haneda and 60–90 minutes from Narita, depending on traffic.
Price
Ryogoku, Kuramae and Asakusabashi are all inside Tokyo (see how Tokyo's flat rate works): from Haneda, Alphard ¥15,000 or Hiace ¥17,000; from Narita, Alphard ¥22,000 or Hiace ¥27,000 (per vehicle, tax included). Six people in an Alphard from Haneda pay about ¥2,500 each. See Haneda to Tokyo and Narita to Tokyo.
Sort out your tournament tickets and accommodation first, then send your flight and accommodation details on the booking page.
FAQ
- For the sumo, is it better to stay in Ryogoku or in Kuramae and Asakusabashi?
- Ryogoku is on the east bank of the Sumida River, with the Kokugikan right by the station — the shortest walk. Kuramae and Asakusabashi are across the river, a walk over the bridge to the arena, with more small boutique hotels and guesthouses. Both are inside Tokyo, so the transfer price is the same.
- How do I get to Ryogoku Kokugikan on the day I land?
- Bouts run from morning to early evening, with the top-division (makuuchi) wrestlers in the later part of the day. If you land in the morning or before midday, go to your accommodation first to drop your bags, then walk or ride to the Kokugikan; suitcases are not something to take into the arena.
- Can I fly out the evening of the final day (senshuraku)?
- When the final day ends, the crowds leave together and the area around the Kokugikan and the station is very busy. Give your flight time and accommodation when booking and our team will confirm a departure time; if it is too tight, we suggest flying the next day.