APRIL | HONO OZUMO SUMO FESTIVAL

April for Tokyo is famous for it’s cherry blossoms. But, aside from this beautiful scenery, you can also catch the annual, ceremonial sumo wrestling match that occurs at Yasukuni Shrine…for free! You can picnic around the shrine and enjoy watching the sumo wrestlers fight each other. The ceremony starts at around 9am with the wrestlers warm up routines. Then, the rest of the day the sumo wrestlers compete against each other. It’s a lot more laid back than regular tournaments because it’s not an official competition and at one point during the day there are even comedy routines by the sumo wrestlers where they mess around and throw the judges out the ring. It’s a fun, relaxing way to enjoy the day with an opportunity only available in Japan!

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Visiting Japan

Location: 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8246, Yasukuni Shrine

Hours: 9am - 3pm

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Kudanshita Station, Exit 1 on the Tokyo Metro Tozai, Hanzomon, and Toei Shinjuku lines. A 10 minute walk on the Iidabashi or Ichigaya Station on the JR Sobu and Chuo Lines.