Taking photos in/at the ryogoku kokugikan

[p2501 15]

Since there seem to be so many knowledgeable members in this forum, I hope someone can dispel the concerns I have.

My family and I will be at the ryogoku kokugikan at the final day of the 2013 Aki-Basho. This will be big for me, since I am a new fan to sumo and won't have much chances to see it in person for quite a long time afterwards. And since I am also a hobby photographer I want to make a lot of pictures (which I will share with you of course).

Now about my concerns. First of all, as you may have guessed already, I don't plan on bringing a throw-away-point-and-shoot-pocket-camera from 7-11, but my DSLR. And since I won't be sitting ringside (it seems to be impossible to get tickets for the Box-A-area on the final day), but in Arena-A (the upper level), I will put on my 70-200mm - which is not that big, but if you're not used to the look of bigger lenses... My concern is that it will be viewed as a professional camera (although it is not a full-format) and may be not allowed unless I am a registered photojournalist for the event or some such (I've had such experiences before, even with smaller cameras).

Please tell me there is no problem! Or who could I reach out to, to get some sort of permit?

This is roughly what camera + lens looks like:

[Mark.Buckton 68]

you'll have no problem - just be careful if you are on the front row not to drop the camera/lens over the edge.

[bobbie 1]

HI,

Were you able to get confirmation?? I am going on the 17th of september. I don't have ringside seats, but Arena A seats. I dont want to take my camera and have to leave it somewhere or travel back to the hotel.

Is there a contact email for the http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/index site? I can't seem to find one. If there is I could hopefully use google translate and send them an email.

Thanks for your help,

A very excited, Bobbie.

[XiaoTan 93]

I have taken photos with various big and small lenses (I think 800 was the maximum) and it never was a problem - es[ecially from the 2nd tier or the B/C seats.

I don't think there is a written policy on the sumo website (but I don't speak Japanese :-) ).

Xiaotan

[bobbie 1]

I have taken photos with various big and small lenses (I think 800 was the maximum) and it never was a problem - es[ecially from the 2nd tier or the B/C seats.

I don't think there is a written policy on the sumo website (but I don't speak Japanese :-) ).

Xiaotan

Thank you very much!!

There is no policy on the website, except for no cameras in the ringside seats. I have written them an email asking to be certain. I have an 18-200mm lens, so that should be ok, I hope!

Thanks very much,

Bobbie

[p2501 15]

I have taken photos with various big and small lenses (I think 800 was the maximum) and it never was a problem - es[ecially from the 2nd tier or the B/C seats.

I don't think there is a written policy on the sumo website (but I don't speak Japanese :-) ).

Xiaotan

Thank you very much!!

There is no policy on the website, except for no cameras in the ringside seats. I have written them an email asking to be certain. I have an 18-200mm lens, so that should be ok, I hope!

Thanks very much,

Bobbie

Please report the result of that email in this thread! :) Thanks in advance!

[bobbie 1]

Hi Sorry for the late reply!

This is their response, I'm not sure if that includes slr's which I have. I will have to take it and see, will let you guys know how it goes.

Thank you for your inquiry.

Photography is permitted even during matches, as long as you sit on your
seat.

We thank you and look forward to seeing you at Kokugikan.

---

お問い合わせありがとうございます。

写真は、自分の席からであれば、試合中でも撮影可能です。

国技館でお会いできるのを楽しみにしております。

Best regards,

Ticket Oosumo Ticket Center
ticket-oosumo@pia.co.jp

[p2501 15]

So, I was there, and here is what I found:

- you can not go into the lower level, if you only have a ticket for the the upper one

- to the upper level you can bring tripods no problem - many of the press photographers do (they also have multiple cameras with big lenses dangling around them)

- they don't mind any photoequippent at all it seems

- I haven't seen any tripods in the lower level - I would advise against it (you wouldn't want to anyway, unless you're filming ofc)

[Fay 1,677]

Well not exactly true.

You can go to the lower level in the morning and stay there. They control the entrance from makushita on.

You can also use a tripod there in the boxes but not on the tamari seats.

[p2501 15]

Well not exactly true.

You can go to the lower level in the morning and stay there. They control the entrance from makushita on.

You can also use a tripod there in the boxes but not on the tamari seats.

I was denied access before the first fights of the day and didn't try again from there on.

[Fay 1,677]

That's strange, I went there each day and there was no control in the morning, only the girls who watched about the tamari seats.

[p2501 15]

Might have been cooincidence, because when we arrived we were apporached by a woman from the kokugikan (I assumed because we were gaijin) that spoke some english and wanted to help us. We showed her our tickets to get to know where to go etc. ... That was the same woman that later denied me access to the lower level and I assumed they had people on all entrances. Seems though that I was just unlucky to run into her there. She might not have stopped me if she didn't already know I only had tickets for the upper level.