What exactly is 'Yokohama Sumo'?

Yokohama sumo refers to the Grand Sumo regional tour (jungyo) stops in Yokohama. These are one-day exhibition events that are more relaxed and interactive than official tournaments, making them ideal for first-time spectators and international visitors.

How does the Yokohama Jungyo differ from official sumo tournaments?

Jungyo is a one-day exhibition with a relaxed, festival-like atmosphere, while grand tournaments (honbasho) are 15-day official competitions where results affect wrestler rankings. Jungyo offers more fan access, photo ops, and cultural performances.

Do exhibition matches affect wrestler rankings?

No. Jungyo matches are exhibition bouts for fan engagement and promotion. Official rankings (banzuke) are only determined by results from the six Grand Sumo tournaments (honbasho).

What are okonomi performances?

Okonomi is a block of special exhibition performances unique to the Jungyo tour, including comic sumo (shokkiri), traditional songs (sumo jinku), hairdressing demonstrations, and drumming displays.

How can foreigners buy tickets?

Foreigners can buy official tickets through concierge services like Jasumo (which helps with eplus), book all-inclusive guided tours through GetYourGuide or H.I.S., or use resale services if official channels are sold out.

What seats should a first-timer choose?

2nd floor seats (around ¥7,000) offer the best balance of price and view for first-timers. 3rd floor (¥4,000) is budget-friendly. Arena chairs (¥11,500) are closer. Ringside tamari (¥15,000-16,000) offers amazing atmosphere but requires sitting on floor cushions.

How do I get to Pia Arena MM?

From Tokyo Station, take the JR Tokaido Line to Yokohama, then the Minato Mirai Line (about 45 minutes total). From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line to Yokohama then Minato Mirai Line (about 50 minutes). From Narita, take the Narita Express to Yokohama (about 90 minutes).

Yokohama Sumo 2026 -- Tickets, Schedule & Guide for Foreigners

Q: What happens during a typical Jungyo day?

Doors open at 9:00 AM with open practice. Late morning brings lower-division bouts and cultural performances (okonomi). Early afternoon features ring-entering ceremonies and top-division matches. The day ends around 3:00 PM with the bow-twirling ceremony.

What Is Yokohama Sumo?

"Yokohama sumo" refers to the Grand Sumo regional tour (jungyo) stops in Yokohama. This one-day exhibition event is more relaxed and interactive than official tournaments, making it the perfect introduction for international visitors.

Exhibition Tour (Jungyo) Official Tournament (Honbasho)

Atmosphere Relaxed, like a traveling festival. Interactive and fun.

Stakes Exhibition matches; results don't affect official rankings.

Fan Access High access: open practice, photo ops, and autograph sessions.

Duration Single-day event, morning until mid-afternoon.

Location Travels to regional cities across Japan; one stop per city.

Ticket Price ¥4,000 -- ¥16,000 depending on seat type.

Interactive Event Timeline

Discover what happens during a typical Jungyo day.

09:00

Doors Open & Public Practice

Watch wrestlers warm up and train on the dohyo at close range. Taiko drums signal the start outside the venue. Lower-division wrestlers train first, followed by higher-ranked wrestlers.

10:30

Lower-Division Matches Begin

Exhibition-style bouts for Jonidan, Sandanme, and Makushita divisions. Watch rising talents compete as the energy in the arena builds.

12:00

Cultural Performances (Okonomi)

Enjoy shokkiri (comic sumo), traditional sumo jinku songs, hairdressing demos, and taiko drumming displays.

13:30

Top-Division Ceremonies & Bouts

Dignified dohyo-iri (ring-entering ceremony) followed by intense matches between the stars. If a yokozuna is touring, expect a grand entrance.

~15:00

Bow-Twirling Ceremony & Close

The yumitori-shiki marks the end of a spectacular day, followed by a final taiko drum roll.

Did you know?

Yokozuna travel with up to 10 personal attendants (tsukebito) who handle everything from cooking to banking.

Tickets & Seating

Choose the best way to experience the Yokohama Jungyo.

One-day event -- 10,000 capacity arena

Official (Best Value)

eplus / Jasumo Concierge

¥4,000 -- ¥16,000

Official face-value pricing
Full English support via Jasumo
Global credit cards accepted
Hotel delivery available
Full range of seat options

Best for: planners comfortable with email coordination

Book with Concierge

Official eplus partner

Guided Tour (Easiest)

GetYourGuide / H.I.S.

From ~¥25,000

English-speaking guide included
Bento lunch included
Ticket + transport handled
Stress-free group experience

Best for: visitors who want zero hassle

View Tours

English-speaking guide included

Resale (Last Resort)

JasumoTickets Resale

Above face value

All seat categories available
English communication
Multiple delivery options

Best for: last-minute buyers or specific premium seats

Check Resale

4.8 / 5 from 120+ visitors

Not sure which option to pick? Answer two quick questions.

Step 1 of 2

What matters most to you?

Lowest price

Official face-value tickets

Zero hassle

Guide, lunch, everything included

Sold out elsewhere

I need tickets no matter what

What Visitors Say

First-hand experiences from international sumo fans

from USA

Absolutely incredible experience. We arrived at 9 AM and watched the wrestlers practice up close. The atmosphere was electric but welcoming -- nothing like the stuffy event I expected.

Sarah M.

Attended 2024 Jungyo

from UK

The comic sumo bout (shokkiri) had the entire arena laughing. My kids loved it. We got autographs from two wrestlers afterwards. Best day of our Japan trip.

James T.

Attended 2024 Jungyo

from Australia

Used Jasumo to get tickets and everything went smoothly. 2nd floor seats gave us a great view of the ring. The ring-entering ceremony was breathtaking.

David L.

Attended 2023 Jungyo

from France

I was worried about the language barrier but it was no issue at all. The sumo songs were hauntingly beautiful. The whole event felt like stepping into another world.

Marie D.

Attended 2024 Jungyo

from Canada

Booked through GetYourGuide and it was worth every yen. Our guide explained every ceremony and ritual. The chanko nabe at lunch was a bonus highlight.

Alex K.

Attended 2024 Jungyo

Did you know?

The comic shokkiri bout deliberately demonstrates every illegal move in sumo -- played for laughs. It's one of the most popular segments at any Jungyo event.

Plan Your Visit

Getting There

From Tokyo Station: JR Tokaido Line to Yokohama, then Minato Mirai Line (~45 min). From Haneda Airport: Keikyu Line to Yokohama, then Minato Mirai Line (~50 min). From Narita: Narita Express to Yokohama (~90 min).

Weather in April

Average 14--19°C (57--66°F). Light jacket recommended; rain possible (bring a compact umbrella).

What to Bring

Camera (photos allowed during Jungyo). Cushion for ringside floor seats. Cash for merchandise and food stalls.

Food & Drink

Bento boxes and drinks sold inside the arena. Chanko nabe (sumo stew) sometimes available. Minato Mirai restaurants within walking distance for post-event dining.

Frequently Asked Questions

"Yokohama sumo" refers to the Grand Sumo regional tour (jungyo) stops in Yokohama. These are one-day exhibition events held outside the main tournament schedule at modern arenas like Pia Arena MM. The atmosphere is more relaxed and show-like than official tournaments, making them ideal for first-time spectators and families.

Jungyo is a one-day exhibition with a relaxed, festival-like atmosphere, while grand tournaments (honbasho) are 15-day official competitions held six times a year in just four cities (Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Osaka). Jungyo offers more fan access, photo ops, and cultural performances like comic bouts and songs. Tournament results affect rankings; Jungyo results do not.

No. Jungyo matches are held to promote sumo and entertain fans. Official rankings (banzuke) are only determined by the results of the six Grand Sumo tournaments (honbasho). The banzuke is created after each official tournament by a committee, based solely on wrestlers' win-loss records in that tournament.

Doors open at 9:00 AM with open practice where you can watch wrestlers warm up at close range. Late morning brings lower-division bouts and cultural performances (okonomi) including comic sumo, songs, and hairdressing demos. Early afternoon features ring-entering ceremonies and top-division matches. The day ends around 3:00 PM with the bow-twirling ceremony (yumitori-shiki).

Okonomi refers to special attractions unique to the tour: comic sumo (shokkiri) where wrestlers humorously demonstrate illegal techniques, sumo songs (sumo jinku), hairdressing demonstrations for top wrestlers' ceremonial topknots, and taiko drumming displays. These are performed by tsukebito (attendants) who double as entertainers.

Foreigners have three main options: (1) Use Jasumo, a concierge service that helps you buy official face-value tickets from eplus with full English support and global credit card payment. (2) Book an all-inclusive guided tour through GetYourGuide or H.I.S. that includes ticket, guide, and lunch. (3) If official channels are sold out, use JasumoTickets' resale service at above face value.

2nd floor seats (~¥7,000) offer the best balance of price and view for first-timers, with comfortable standard chairs. 3rd floor (~¥4,000) is the budget choice with a full-ring view but further from the action. Arena chair seats (~¥11,500) bring you closer. Tamari ringside seats (¥15,000--¥16,000) offer an amazing atmosphere but require sitting on floor cushions, and you may get hit by a falling wrestler.

Pia Arena MM is in the Minato Mirai area of Yokohama. From Tokyo Station: take the JR Tokaido Line to Yokohama, then the Minato Mirai Line to Shin-Takashima or Minato-Mirai Station (~45 minutes total). From Haneda Airport: Keikyu Line to Yokohama then Minato Mirai Line (~50 minutes). From Narita Airport: Narita Express to Yokohama (~90 minutes).