Ryogoku Kokugikan, at the heart of sumo tournaments

The Japanese Colosseum

Located in Tokyo in the Ryogoku district, this large-scale stadium is the temple of sumo in Japan.

The first Ryogoku Kokugikan was built in 1909, when sumo was booming in the archipelago. A century later, the soul of the district remains the same: you'll still come across wrestlers, the stables (heya) where they live and train, and numerous restaurants where you can sample the famous chanko nabe, the sumotori's nourishing stew.

The Ryōgoku Kokugikan hosts three of the six major annual sumo tournaments: in January, May and September. Each tournament lasts two weeks and attracts spectators from all over the country.

Drums, wrestlers' entrance ceremonies and passionate crowds—let yourself be carried away by the effervescent atmosphere of the venue.

Each bout lasts around twenty seconds. And you absolutely must reserve your place in advance to make sure you're there to watch the action. Good to know: the arena is also used for other events throughout the year, such as concerts and boxing matches.