Delicious local food, beautiful scenery, and anime — these are just some of the things that we initially think of when we’re talking about Japan. But there’s one other thing that makes Japan stand out — its national sport, sumo wrestling!
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Sumo wrestling has been the country’s national sport since ancient times. Some travelers even flock to Japan just to witness a live sumo wrestling match. With that, it’s no surprise that watching sumo tournaments or performances is popular among tourists and even locals. For those who love Japan but aren't into sumo wrestling just yet, this may be your ✨sign✨ to get to know sumo wrestling. But, if you already love sumo wrestling, then this will be a good and relatable read for you.
Since sumo wrestling is quite popular, its high demand for tickets is understandable. Yes, securing tickets can get tricky, but we’ve got you! Read on below to discover how to score sumo tickets, where to book, where to watch, and more.
Where to buy sumo tickets 🤔
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You can pre-book your sumo tickets on Klook! It’s convenient, fast, and easy. Pre-booking on Klook ensures your entry at your preferred date. Forget about having to line up and buy on the same day.
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Wait, there’s more! For those who will book sumo performance tickets at the Sumo Hall Hirakuza in Osaka, all package types that the ticket offers on Klook come with a lunch box and a drink for you to enjoy while watching the performance. Additionally, after the performance, the audience can go up to the stage and take photos with the wrestlers to commemorate the experience.
How to score sumo tickets 🎟️
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If you happen to be in Osaka or planning to take a train to Osaka to watch a sumo performance, then you have to book your tickets to this sumo event happening at the Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka! Simply follow these steps to secure your tickets:
- Choose your preferred date.
- Pick your package type: Regular plan S seat, regular plan A seat, or regular plan B seat. The difference among the three is your proximity to the stage.
- Available time slots will also show up when available, choose which one that best fits your schedule.
- Select the number of tickets that you’ll purchase. Please take note that tickets are cheaper for children aged three to twelve.
- Pay for your tickets. Klook offers a variety of payment options in your preferred language.
- Once paid, a QR Code will be sent to your email. Make sure to save the QR Code.
- Present the QR Code upon entry to the venue.
Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka opening hours ⏰
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The performances all happen at night but to be more specific, the opening and closing hours depend on the number of shows scheduled per day:
- One performance: Doors open at 6:00 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm
- Two performances:
- (1st Show) Doors open at 5:00 pm, show starts at 6:00 pm
- (2nd Show) Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm
Address: Japan, 〒556-0011 Osaka, Naniwa Ward, Nanbanaka, 2-chōme−10−70
How to get to Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka 🚆
Getting to the venue is not as difficult as it may seem for some. Just remember that the hall is located on the eighth floor of Namba Parks, an office and shopping complex in Osaka.
To get to Namba Parks and to give you an idea of its proximity, it will take about 40 minutes up to an hour if you’re going via train or highway bus from Kansai International Airport. But, if you’re coming from Shin-Osaka Station, it will only take about 20 minutes via Osaka Metro’s Midosuji Line.
What to expect at Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka’s sumo performances 🤗
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To make sure that we’re all on the same page, a sumo performance is different from a sumo wrestling match (continue reading if you want to get tickets to sumo wrestling tournaments too! 🤭).
The events held at the Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka are all sumo performances delivered by former professional sumo wrestlers. It’s a different way to see sumo wrestling, more on the storytelling side of the sport, rather than the competitive level. Watching sumo performances can help deepen your understanding and knowledge of sumo wrestling and its importance in Japan's culture.
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During the performance, you can cheer your hearts out, take photos, and enjoy the meal that you purchased with your ticket. You can join in all the fun on stage since the performances are interactive too! You’ll get a chance to go up the ring and pretend to be a sumo wrestler going against one of the performers. Don’t worry, you won’t actually have to fight, it’s all part of the entertainment!
With all the memories that you’re bound to make through this sumo performance, it will be an experience that’s one for the books and definitely a tick off your Japan bucket list.
Sumo tournaments to watch out for 😊
1. Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya
Watch a sumo wrestling match where you can actively pick a wrestler and cheer him on! This Grand Sumo Tournament tour is perfect for those who want the full sumo wrestling match experience and happen to be in Nagoya. Before the match, your guide will give you a few things to make sure that you’re all set — a guide showing the wrestlers’ photos and background, a towel with one of the wrestlers’ names (you get to pick who you want to cheer for), and a handy booklet about sumo’s history in Japan. And hey, you don’t have to worry about understanding the live commentary, your local guide will give out earphones too, so that you can hear the commentary in English.
Photo Credit: Steffen Triekels on Unsplash
This Grand Sumo Tournament tour also comes with a visit to the Nagoya Castle, with a local expert as your guide. Marvel at the beautiful and historic Nagoya Castle before heading on to the sumo wrestling tournament.
2. Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo
Now if you’re staying in Tokyo for most of your Japan trip, then you can definitely go to this Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena instead! This 4-hour experience also comes with a local sumo expert who will guide you through the fight. The event will not only be about competition but will also showcase a Japanese ritual like salt purification, which is believed to cleanse the arena of evil spirits before the match. Before the sumo tournament starts, make sure to greet Japan’s famous sumo wrestlers as they enter the arena and go up the ring.
There’s a ticket option on Klook that comes with dinner already! The dinner will be at a local chanko nabe (sumo stew) hot pot restaurant where you can have what sumo wrestlers usually eat whenever they need to load up on vegetables and protein.
For those who can’t have meat but want to avail of the dinner option, please indicate that you want a vegetarian version of the meal in the “Special Requirements” section upon checkout. The same goes for those who have any other dietary requirements or concerns. Remember to input your requests upon checkout so that the staff can prepare accordingly. Once your dinner reservation has been received and acknowledged, changes can no longer be made.
We know that you’re as excited as we are to book a sumo experience! But first things first, make sure to secure your Japan essentials for a fuss-free trip:
🍣 Japan Essentials🍣
🚅Trains & Airport Transfers
📌Mobile Data & Metro Passes
