1950s 1984

In 1953, there was the first television broadcast of a sumo tournament. A year later in 1954, there was the opening of the Sumo Museum at Kuramae Kokugikan, the home of professional sumo prior to its move to Ryōgoku Kokugikan. There is the reconstruction of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, the home of sumo tournaments in Tokyo.

and you can book tickets on the same site. A basic arena ticket will cost you USD 37; and a Japanese box is around USD 366.

Fly to Tokyo and check in at the centrally located Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome ( www.rph-the.co.jp) and take a city walking tour with Walk Japan ( www.walkjapan.com) to orientate yourself and put sumo in its historical and cultural context.

HOW