Japan Sumo Tournament Schedule 2027: Complete Honbasho Calendar
2027-01-15 ยท 9 min read
The 2027 Japan sumo calendar โ six 15-day tournaments across Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka. When they are, how tickets drop, and the three ways to get seats.
Grand Sumo (honbasho) runs six 15-day tournaments every year โ three in Tokyo, one each in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka. Tickets drop roughly 6 weeks before each basho and the final weekend sells out in minutes. This 2027 calendar gives you every tournament date, every ticket-release window, and the three legitimate booking routes (official site, Ticket Oosumo, licensed Western agents) so you don't fall for scalper sites.
๐กLast content review: November 2026
Dates and venues from Japan Sumo Association (nihonsumokyokai.or.jp). Tickets typically go on sale 5-6 weeks pre-basho via Ticket Oosumo and 7-Eleven kiosks; weekend seats sell out same day.
โกโฐ Peak-season rooms go first
Golden Week, Obon, New Year and the sakura and autumn-leaf peaks fill up fast. Once your dates are set, check availability now. Every week you wait, there are fewer rooms to choose from.
Quick facts: the 6 Grand Sumo tournaments 2027
| Basho | Dates 2027 | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatsu (January) | Jan 10 โ Jan 24 | Ryogoku Kokugikan | Tokyo |
| Haru (March) | Mar 14 โ Mar 28 | EDION Arena Osaka | Osaka |
| Natsu (May) | May 9 โ May 23 | Ryogoku Kokugikan | Tokyo |
| Nagoya | Jul 11 โ Jul 25 | IG Arena Nagoya | Nagoya |
| Aki (September) | Sep 12 โ Sep 26 | Ryogoku Kokugikan | Tokyo |
| Kyushu (November) | Nov 14 โ Nov 28 | Fukuoka Kokusai Center | Fukuoka |
All 6 tournaments run 15 consecutive days; wrestlers fight once per day; the yusho (championship) is decided day 15 (always Sunday). Doors open 8am for lower-division bouts; top-division (makuuchi) starts around 3:50pm; final yokozuna bout ~5:55pm.
Book hotels near Ryogoku Kokugikan during Tokyo basho
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โฐ Lock in before prices rise โ this week's rates may not hold
3 Japan hotels to start your trip (Tokyo / Kyoto / Osaka)
โฐ Peak-season rooms in all three cities sell out 3-4 months ahead โ lock the opener first
1. The Peninsula Tokyo
Our top Tokyo splurge โ Hibiya Park views + Imperial Palace moat sakura. Michelin dining on-site. Perfect first-night-in-Japan arrival.
Book on Booking โ2. Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Higashiyama's best 5-star location. Walking distance to Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera. Our Kyoto base pick.
Book on Agoda โ3. Conrad Osaka
Nakanoshima 40th-floor views across Osaka. 5-star service, Michelin restaurants, Mandarin + Korean concierge. Great Namba access.
Book on Booking โPrices shown on each site. We earn a small commission if you book โ at no cost to you.
3 Tokyo experiences worth reserving ahead
โฐ Top Tokyo tours sell out 1-2 weeks ahead for weekends โ mobile voucher, skip the window queue
1. Mt. Fuji + Hakone Day Tour from Tokyo
Full-day guided bus tour with English guide. Hits 5 highlights, includes Owakudani cable car.
Reserve on Klook โ2. Tokyo Tsukiji Food + Culture Walking Tour
Half-day guided eating tour โ 10+ tastings, bypasses the tourist menu stalls. Small group.
Reserve on Klook โ3. teamLab Planets Tokyo Admission
The barefoot immersive-art experience in Toyosu. Timed entry โ mobile voucher saves 90-min queue.
Reserve on Klook โPrices shown on each site. We earn a small commission on bookings โ at no cost to you.
How to buy tickets โ the 3 legit routes
Where to stay โ check live prices
- โ Free cancellation on most rooms
- โ Compare 28M+ properties
- โ No booking fees
โฐ Lock in before prices rise โ this week's rates may not hold
- โ[Ticket](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) Oosumo (official site) โ buyoosumo.com; English available; tickets drop ~6 weeks before basho at 10:00 JST; credit card payment; print at konbini. The gold standard.
- โ7-Eleven kiosks + Lawson in Japan โ Loppi / Famiport machines; Japanese-only interface; cheaper service fees; good if already in-country
- โLicensed agents (Voyagin, Govoyagin, Japan [Experience](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan)) โ pay 20-50% markup for same-day seat delivery + English support; use when official is sold out
Ticket types + prices
| Seat type | Price range | What you get | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masu-seki box (4 persons) | ยฅ38,000 โ ยฅ60,000 per box | Floor-level tatami box, cushions, closest view | ๐จ Book |
| Masu-seki Box A (reserved) | ยฅ14,800 per person | 4-person box, same ring experience | ๐จ Book |
| Arena seat A (reserved) | ยฅ9,500 โ ยฅ11,700 | Chair seat, lower bowl | ๐จ Book |
| Arena seat B/C | ยฅ5,900 โ ยฅ8,500 | Mid-upper bowl, still excellent | ๐จ Book |
| Same-day general admission | ยฅ2,200 | Line up 6am Day-of; nosebleed but authentic | ๐จ Book |
Sumo tournament tickets + optional stable visit (Klook)
- โ Skip-the-line e-tickets
- โ Mobile voucher, no printing
- โ Free cancellation up to 24h
โฐ Mobile voucher instantly โ skip the ticket line on arrival
What to expect on tournament day
- โ8:00-13:30 โ Jonidan through makushita (lower divisions); nearly empty hall; great for photos
- โ13:30-15:30 โ Juryo division (salaried wrestlers); crowd fills in
- โ15:40 โ Makuuchi ring-entering ceremony with silk aprons
- โ15:50-17:50 โ Makuuchi top-division bouts, one per minute
- โ17:55 โ Yumitori-shiki bow-twirling closing ceremony
- โ18:00 โ Exit; 20-min walk to Ryogoku Station or sumo-themed restaurants
The sumo food traditions
- โChanko-nabe โ wrestler's hot pot; restaurants along Ryogoku street serve the real version post-basho ยฅ2,000-4,000
- โYakitori sold inside Kokugikan โ eaten in box seats
- โRyogoku-area chanko spots to try: Chanko Tomoegata, Chanko Kirishima, Ryogoku-Edo Noren food court
Stable visits (asa-geiko morning practice)
Some sumo stables (heya) allow morning-practice spectating ~6:30-10:00am. Must book through English agent (Voyagin, Japan Experience); strict etiquette โ no talking, no legs stretched toward ring. Not held during tournament weeks. ยฅ10,000-15,000 per person; incredible access.
๐ฐCompare live hotel prices โ Tokyo Ryogoku
Price checkSame dates, same destination โ platforms often differ by 10-25%. Opening all three in new tabs is the fastest way to spot the deal.
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Bookable experiences โ plan the basho visit
- โSumo tournament [ticket](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) + chanko-nabe lunch โ Klook/Voyagin, ยฅ12,000-18,000
- โMorning practice stable visit with English host โ ยฅ14,000, 2 hours
- โPre-basho Ryogoku walking tour โ Edo-Tokyo Museum + sumo history, ยฅ4,500
- โ[Tokyo](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Tokyo&aid=8095781&label=auto-tokyo-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) full-day with sumo evening โ guided itinerary ending in arena, ยฅ22,000
Sumo stable visit + tournament package (Klook)
- โ Skip-the-line e-tickets
- โ Mobile voucher, no printing
- โ Free cancellation up to 24h
โฐ Mobile voucher instantly โ skip the ticket line on arrival
Japan eSIM โ set it up before you fly
- โ Works instantly on arrival
- โ No SIM card swap
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โฐ Activate the moment you land โ no more hunting for free airport Wi-Fi
Japan travel insurance โ get covered before you fly
- โ Covers Japan medical + evacuation
- โ From $45/month flexible
- โ Cancel anytime
โฐ Japan doesn't accept most foreign health cards โ one ER visit = your whole trip budget
Ryogoku hotels fill during Tokyo basho weeks
- The 3 Tokyo tournaments draw sumo fans worldwide; Ryogoku hotels sell out 2-3 months before each basho
- Final-weekend tickets (days 13-15) are typically gone within 24 hours of official release
- Free-cancellation Booking rates near Ryogoku Station give you time to secure tickets
Affiliate link โ we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
- โWhen do 2027 sumo [tickets](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) go on sale? Roughly 6 weeks before each basho; subscribe to Oosumo email alerts.
- โCan I buy [tickets](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) at the door? Day-of general admission only (ยฅ2,200); line up by 6am; limited.
- โIs sumo kid-friendly? Yes, under-15 half-price; kids love the ring-entering ceremony and taiko drums.
- โCan I take photos? Yes but no flash; video allowed in most areas.
- โWhat should I wear? Smart casual; traditional dress welcomed; no shorts in box seats.
- โHow long does a [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan)nament day last? 10 hours total if arriving at open; most tourists come 3-6pm for top division.
- โCan I leave and re-enter? Yes, same-day re-entry stamp.
- โAre there English announcements? Minimal; buy the ยฅ500 English program; signage improving.
- โIs food allowed inside? Yes โ bento boxes sold at venue + outside; alcohol inside allowed.
- โCan I meet wrestlers? Only via arranged stable visits; wrestlers enter via side entrance pre-tournament.
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