Grand Sumo September Tournament (Aki Basho) 2026
The autumn tournament at the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan — sumo's spiritual home — closes out the Tokyo basho calendar with fifteen days of high-stakes bouts.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/09/12 23:30 – 2026/09/27
- Where
- Ryogoku Kokugikan（1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo）
- City
- Tokyo
- Getting there
- A 1-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Ryogoku Station on the Sobu Line; also served by the Toei Oedo subway.
- Price
- Tickets required. Arena chair seats start from around ¥3,000; traditional box (masu) seats and ringside cost more. Purchase through the official Japan Sumo Association site.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- A 1-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Ryogoku Station on the Sobu Line; also served by the Toei Oedo subway. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Tickets required. Arena chair seats start from around ¥3,000; traditional box (masu) seats and ringside cost more. Purchase through the official Japan Sumo Association site.. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, groups of friends
Highlights
- Sumo in its most famous arena, the Ryogoku Kokugikan, the sport's spiritual home
- The last Tokyo tournament of the year, often deciding rankings before the final basho
- Museum displays, ranking banners and the chanko-nabe stew sold inside the hall
Background & story
The Aki (autumn) basho is the third and final tournament held each year in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, the purpose-built sumo arena in the historic Ryogoku district that has been home to the sport since the Edo period.
Good to know
The neighborhood is packed with sumo stables and chanko-nabe restaurants — make a day of it. Morning lower-division bouts are quiet and a relaxed way to learn the rituals before the crowds arrive.