When it comes to Japanese sumo, most people immediately think of the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, but did you know? Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture also hosts the official grand sumo exhibition tournament "Kanazawa-basho" every year! This makes Kanazawa the perfect place to experience sumo culture, even if you're not in Tokyo, you can still feel the excitement on the dohyo.
Kanazawa's sumo culture has its unique charm. Unlike Tokyo with its professional sumo stables, the annual exhibition tournaments and local sumo tea houses operated by former wrestlers allow sumo enthusiasts to experience this ancient martial art in a traditional craftsmanship city. In August 2025, the Kanazawa City General Sports Gymnasium hosted a grand Kanazawa-basho, attracting many fans to watch the matches.
If you're a sumo fan or want to try sumo-related experiences, here are some places you shouldn't miss:
Kanazawa City General Sports Gymnasium — This is the main venue for the annual grand sumo Kanazawa-basho, with a capacity of about 3,200 people. The gymnasium is well-equipped and is about a 25-minute drive from Kanazawa Station. The atmosphere at the venue is very lively, where you can not only watch official Makuuchi matches but also observe Jonokuchi and Sandame competitions, as well as traditional sumo chants and yagura-taiko drum performances. The most special thing is the public practice time, where fans can get a close-up view of the wrestlers' morning training and even participate in a handshake event! It is recommended to arrive early to get a good seat.
Sumo Tea House Shigeru — This is the only sumo restaurant in Kanazawa operated by a real former wrestler. The owner is "Takatate," a formerzeki who came from Kanazawa. After retirement, he combined sumo culture with dining. The broth and vegetable portions are specially prepared with care, presenting authentic sumo hot pot (chanko) flavor. During lunch hours (11:00-15:00), sumo tea house dishes are served, while dinner transforms into Kuro Daruma Nonoguchi Store, offering Genghis Khan grilled meat. Remember to check the Saturday and Sunday closures, so you don't make a wasted trip!
Omicho Market — When it comes to sumo hot pot, you must mention the ingredients from Omicho Market! This is Kanazawa's kitchen, with all kinds of fresh vegetables, seafood, and meat available. Many sumo tea house ingredients come from here. You can first explore the market to understand the ingredients for sumo hot pot and experience Kanazawa's food culture, then head to the sumo tea house to taste the authentic flavors.
Kanazawa Castle Park — After watching the sumo matches, why not take a walk at Kanazawa Castle? This historic city, like sumo, represents traditional Japanese culture. Kanazawa Castle is not far from the City General Sports Gymnasium and can be reached on foot, making it a great place to digest your lunch or relax after the match.
Transportation and Fees: From the East Exit of Kanazawa Station to the City General Sports Gymnasium, you can take bus line 26 at platform 9 (direction: Izumino-Demachi), the fare is ¥250, and after about 25 minutes, get off at the "City General Sports Gymnasiummae" stop, then walk 1 minute to reach the destination. If driving yourself, the gymnasium has a paid parking lot (320 spaces).
Ticket Prices: Tickets for the grand sumo Kanazawa-basho need to be checked through official channels, usually ranging from several thousand yen to over 10,000 yen depending on the seat section. It is recommended to purchase early, as popular sessions often sell out.
Travel Tips: Sumo matches usually end before 3 PM, so it is recommended to first visit Kenroku-en or Omicho Market in the morning, enjoy sumo hot pot for lunch, and watch the matches in the afternoon. If you're a hardcore sumo fan, you can especially check the Japan Sumo Association website for exhibition schedules, as the Kanazawa-basho is usually held once a year in summer. When watching the matches, remember to follow match etiquette - do not be noisy before the match starts, and keep quiet during the matches on the dohyo. These are the basic principles of showing respect for the sumo sport.
