Your First Visit to Kokugikan
Kokugikan is a sumo venue in Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo. The Tokyo tournaments are held here three times a year (January, May and September). On days without sumo events, the hall is rented out as a multipurpose venue.
The November 2026 tournament is held at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, not at Kokugikan. The next chance to watch in Tokyo is the January 2027 tournament.
This guide covers practical information including how to get to Kokugikan, how to buy tickets, bag rules, last trains home, hotels and restaurants nearby, and tips for your visit.
Access Guide to Kokugikan
The closest station is the West Exit of JR Ryogoku Station. Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line also serves the venue.
From Narita Airport
- Keisei Skyliner + JR Yamanote Line + JR Sobu Line: Narita Airport → Nippori Station (Skyliner) → change from the JR Yamanote Line to the Sobu Line (local) at Akihabara Station → Ryogoku Station → walk.
- Keisei Access Express + Toei Asakusa Line + JR Sobu Line: Narita Airport → the Keisei Access Express runs through to the Toei Asakusa Line at Oshiage Station → change to the JR Sobu Line at Asakusabashi Station → Ryogoku Station → walk.
From Haneda Airport
- Keikyu Line + Toei Asakusa Line + JR Sobu Line: Haneda Airport → the Keikyu Line runs through to the Toei Asakusa Line → change to the JR Sobu Line at Asakusabashi Station → Ryogoku Station → walk.
From the Nearest Stations to the Venue
- JR Sobu Line, Ryogoku Station (West Exit): about 2 minutes on foot (the Kokugikan guide page also says “1 minute”). This is the closest station.
- Toei Oedo Line, Ryogoku Station: about 5 minutes on foot. Use Exit A3.
Venue Information
- Name: Kokugikan (Ryogoku Kokugikan)
- Address: 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015
- Nearest stations: JR Sobu Line Ryogoku Station (West Exit) about 2 min walk / Toei Oedo Line Ryogoku Station about 5 min walk
- Official website: Japan Sumo Association (Schedule)
Main Events and Seasons
The main events at Kokugikan are the Tokyo sumo tournaments, held three times a year. The 2027 schedule is as follows.
| Tournament | Dates | General sale starts |
|---|---|---|
| January Tournament | January 10 (Sun) – January 24 (Sun), 2027 | December 5 (Sat), 2026 |
| May Tournament | May 9 (Sun) – May 23 (Sun), 2027 | April 10 (Sat), 2027 |
| September Tournament | September 12 (Sun) – September 26 (Sun), 2027 | August 7 (Sat), 2027 |
For the January 2027 tournament, doors open at 8:45 from Day 1 to Day 12, at 10:30 on Days 13 and 14, and at 10:00 on the final day. The schedule may change. The latest schedule is published on the official schedule page.
How to Buy Tickets
- Official sales page (Japanese): Japan Sumo Association ticket guide (January tournament)
- Official way to buy in English: Ticket Sumo has an English site. Start from the Japan Sumo Association’s English guide. The English price list is published as a PDF. Admission prices are revised from the January 2027 tournament.
- Advance lotteries for the January 2027 tournament (all in 2026): Fan club round 1: 11/14–11/17; fan club round 2: 11/21–11/24; Ticket Sumo: 11/27–11/29; Ticket Pia: 12/2–12/3
- General sale: from 10:00 on December 5 (Sat), 2026. Tickets are sold online, by phone (0570-02-9310) and at Seven-Eleven.
- Same-day tickets: If the day is sold out in advance, no tickets are sold. Online and Seven-Eleven sales are open until 17:00 on the day of the match. The ticket window is the Ryogoku Kokugikan ticket office.
You cannot enter if you have lost your ticket or do not have it with you. Resale of tickets is prohibited by the terms and conditions. Tamari seats and Chair D seats use QR tickets only; screenshots and printouts are not accepted.
Seat Types
Seats are divided into four sides: Shomen (front), Mukoshomen (opposite front), East and West.
- Tamari seats: Known as “sunakaburi”. Cushion seats right around the ring. Ages 16 and over only; photography and mobile phone use are prohibited.
- Masu seats (1st floor): Cushion seats in boxes 1.3 m square, enclosed by steel pipes, for 1 to 6 people. SS is rows 1–2, S is rows 3–4, A is rows 5–8, B is rows 9–12 and C is rows 13–15. Shoes and umbrellas are stored behind the seat.
- Chair seats (2nd floor): S is rows 1–3, A is rows 4–6, B is rows 7–11, C is rows 12–13 and D is row 14. Adult and child prices are available.
- Wheelchair seats: One wheelchair user and one companion. Booking opens at 10:00 on December 21, 2026, by Ticket Sumo phone only.
Bag and Carry-in Rules
- Prohibited items: Dangerous items (firearms, swords, fireworks, firecrackers, toxic substances), items with strong odors or loud noise that bother other spectators, bottles, cans and ice boxes, pets (except guide dogs and the like), and items intended to reserve excessive seating space
- Bag check: You may be asked to open your bag and show the contents at entry.
- Large luggage: A cloakroom (800 yen) is available at Kuroneko Yamato on the 1st floor, Mukoshomen side. Coin lockers (fee required) are in the outdoor corridors on the west and east sides of the 1st floor.
- Photography: Flashes and other light beams are prohibited (Article 8 of the terms). Photography and mobile phone use are prohibited in Tamari seats.
- Watching: Only seated viewing in your assigned seat is allowed. Watching from seats other than your own, or from aisles and stairs, is not allowed.
Getting Home and Last Trains
Weekday last departures from Ryogoku Station (as of November 2026, weekday timetable, from the official timetables of JR East and the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation).
| Line | Direction | Last departure |
|---|---|---|
| JR Chuo-Sobu Line (local) | Mitaka direction (Ochanomizu / Yotsuya) | 0:30 for Nakano |
| JR Chuo-Sobu Line (local) | Chiba direction (Nishi-Funabashi / Chiba) | 0:31 for Tsudanuma |
| Toei Oedo Line | Daimon / Roppongi direction | 0:50 for Kiyosumi-shirakawa |
| Toei Oedo Line | Iidabashi / Tochomae direction | 0:09 for Shin-okachimachi |
The Toei Oedo Line times follow the timetable revision dated March 17, 2025, as stated on the official Toei timetable page. Check the latest times with NAVITIME.
Trains generally do not run from about 0:30 until about 5:00. If you miss the last train, take a taxi. The ride-hailing apps GO and Uber are available. From 22:00 to 5:00, a late-night surcharge of 20% applies.
Hotels Near Kokugikan
Distances are straight-line estimates calculated from the coordinates of the venue and each hotel, listed from nearest to farthest.
APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Ekimae Tower
A large hotel right in front of Ryogoku Station. About 89 m in a straight line from the venue (estimate from coordinates).
THE GATE HOTEL Ryogoku by HULIC
On the Sumida River; the official site says 3 minutes on foot from the West Exit of Ryogoku Station. About 134 m in a straight line from the venue.
Dai-ichi Hotel Ryogoku
About 337 m in a straight line from the venue.
fav TOKYO RYOGOKU
A hotel with a cafe. About 479 m in a straight line from the venue.
Petit Grande Miyabi
In the Ishihara area, northeast of Kokugikan. About 479 m in a straight line from the venue.
Hotel LiVEMAX Ryogoku
A stay-focused hotel. About 514 m in a straight line from the venue.
Hotel Brillio Asakusabashi
On the Asakusabashi side. About 519 m in a straight line from the venue.
▶ See 8 hotels near Ryogoku Kokugikan with photos
Restaurants Near Kokugikan
Distances are straight-line estimates calculated from the coordinates of the venue and each restaurant, listed from nearest to farthest.
Scéal Eile Irish Pub
An Irish pub in Ryogoku 2-chome, an option for the evening. About 202 m in a straight line from the venue (estimate from coordinates).
Sushi Hojo
An Edomae sushi restaurant in Ryogoku 4-chome. Prices are on the higher side. About 371 m in a straight line from the venue.
Trattoria Monte Tomi
An Italian restaurant on the 11th floor of a building in Ryogoku 3-chome. About 410 m in a straight line from the venue.
Chanko Ryogoku
Serves chanko-nabe, the hot pot Ryogoku is known for. About 483 m in a straight line from the venue.
Soi Ari Thai Restaurant
A Thai restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building in Ishihara 1-chome. About 518 m in a straight line from the venue.
Oasis Ryogoku
A bagel cafe, good for breakfast. About 694 m in a straight line from the venue.
Tips Before You Visit
There Is No Parking
Kokugikan has no parking for visitors, and public transport is the official recommendation. There are no large car parks nearby either.
Tournaments Are Held Three Times a Year
The Tokyo sumo tournaments are in January, May and September. November’s tournament is in Fukuoka, so you cannot watch at Kokugikan then.
The Oedo Line Exit Is A3
The exit from Toei Oedo Line Ryogoku Station toward Kokugikan is A3. Some sources say A4, but the official guide says A3.
Doors Open at Different Times by Day
For the January 2027 tournament, doors open at 8:45 from Day 1 to Day 12, at 10:30 on Days 13 and 14, and at 10:00 on the final day. The schedule may change.
You Can Visit the Sumo Museum
The Sumo Museum on the 1st floor of Kokugikan displays nishiki-e prints, banzuke rankings, ceremonial aprons and more. Admission is free, 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30). It is closed on weekends and holidays, but open during tournaments and events.
Plan Your Luggage for Your Seat
In masu seats you store shoes and umbrellas behind the seat and sit on a cushion. Large bags can be left in the cloakroom or a coin locker.
Kokugikan Venue Information
- Capacity: 11,098 (as stated in the Kokugikan guide and the rental information)