Tourists Pack Asakusa Sumo Stable

Jul 14, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Foreign tourists are filling an interactive sumo show venue in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, where former wrestlers introduce the basics, rules and history of the sport in English as Japan’s traditional pastime enjoys growing popularity at home and abroad.

"Yoisho, yoisho," spectators shout in rhythm as former sumo wrestlers perform shiko leg-stomping exercises. The venue for the Asakusa Sumo Room show has been drawing full houses, with every seat taken by visitors from overseas.

The boom comes as sumo continues to attract strong interest internationally. The Grand Sumo Paris exhibition in June ended in success, with a venue seating about 15,000 people filled to capacity each day. At official tournaments held in Japan, foreign visitors now account for about 20% to 30% of spectators, underscoring the sport’s growing appeal both domestically and overseas.

Asakusa Sumo Room opened in January 2024, offering visitors a chance to try sumo with former wrestlers. In addition to basic movements such as shiko and sliding footwork, guests can learn the fundamentals of sumo, including its rules and history, with English commentary.

The venue holds four performances a day and operates year-round, gaining popularity as an easy way to enjoy the appeal of a world often seen as difficult to enter.

Source: Kyodo

Heatstroke Alert Issued For Record 17 Prefectures This Year

Dangerous heat is expected across a wide area from western to eastern Japan today, prompting authorities to issue heatstroke warning alerts for 17 prefectures, the highest number so far this year.

Russian Spy Base In Japan?

Japan has become an unexpected base of operations for Russian intelligence agents since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with spies allegedly using the country to procure and smuggle high-tech equipment and other goods to Russia, The New York Times reported on July 12.

Convenience Stores Tackle Bear Crisis

Convenience store operators in Japan are strengthening safety measures as bear-related damage grows more serious, with Lawson expanding the use of bear repellent spray and considering drone-based remote monitoring.

Osaka’s Minami Rebuilt Into Tourist Hub

Osaka’s Minami district, now entering another period of major change with the planned opening of the Naniwasuji Line, the redevelopment of Midosuji and improvements around Nankai Namba Station, has transformed from an area once described as "scary" and "dirty" into one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.

Crowds Join First Pull of 10-Ton Gion Festival Float

A 10-ton hoko float was pulled through central Kyoto on July 12 in a trial run ahead of the Yamahoko Junko procession during the Gion Festival's early parade.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Tourists Pack Asakusa Sumo Stable

Foreign tourists are filling an interactive sumo show venue in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, where former wrestlers introduce the basics, rules and history of the sport in English as Japan’s traditional pastime enjoys growing popularity at home and abroad.

Koshien Rivals Rally in High School Baseball Thriller

Waseda Jitsugyo held off a ninth-inning rally by Hachioji to win a first-round showdown between two schools with Koshien experience in the West Tokyo high school baseball tournament on July 10.

Japan Coach Says Day Will Come When National Team Wins World Cup

Japan national soccer team coach Hajime Moriyasu, captain Ko Itakura of Ajax, Daizen Maeda of Celtic, Yukinari Sugawara of Bremen and Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto visited Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Yohei Matsumoto on July 8 following Japan's campaign at the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ohtani Becomes First Japanese Player to Hit 300 MLB Homers

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first Japanese player to reach 300 career home runs in Major League Baseball, hitting a solo shot in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles on July 7.

210 Million Yen Colt Shonan Galleon Wins in Record Debut at Hakodate

Shonan Galleon, a 210 million yen colt by Flightline, made a striking debut at Hakodate Racecourse on Sunday, July 5, winning the fifth race over 1,800 meters on turf in record time for a 2-year-old on the course.

Two Yokozuna Perform Ceremonial Ring Entry at Atsuta Shrine

Two yokozuna seeking to rebound after time away from the ring drew loud cheers from about 5,000 spectators on July 4 as they performed the traditional ceremonial ring entry at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya ahead of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

King Is Back: Conor McGregor is the new 1xBet ambassador

Some names change the game, and Conor McGregor is one of them.

Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

< 2 3 4 5 >