Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena 両国国技館

An amazing spectacle during tournaments

A visit to Sumida City isn't complete without a visit to the Ryogoku neighborhood for sumo culture. My friends and I caught the sumo basho a few years ago, sitting in a masuseki, on of the box seats. We found the other spectators to be friendly and talkative. I think the shitamachi feeling rubs off on even Japanese people from elsewhere when they watch sumo. And the drama of the bouts, following the careers of sumo wrestlers really got me hooked. The pageantry and tradition are elegant, too. Between grand tournaments, visitors to Kokugikan can stop by the sumo museum (free admission). During tournaments, banners are flown, crowds gather, and might catch glimpses of wrestlers doing photo ops or walking the streets.