What is there "Sumo" to do in April right after a Basho?

[Kuhne 57]

Hey all, how are you? I hope you enjoyed the last basho, I know I did.

I have a question for all of you smart people.

I am taking my wife and two small kids to Tokyo from April 1st to April 8th, 2024, just a few days after the March basho ends (dang it!) 

I want to take them to something sumo-related, only for one day, and if that, only for an hour or two, nothing that big of a deal just something so they can experience some of that culture, they know I watch all the bashos at home and it would be a fun experience.

Now we're only staying in tokyo, so it would have to be something that goes on in the city, exhibitions or autograph signings or something like that, I guess at the very least I can take them to the Kokugikan and show them where it happens but it would be fun if they actually get to meet a wrestler, take a picture or watch a bout. In my very limited experience the only thing that goes on in between bashos regularly are the jungyos and those do not happen in the big cities, but I know there are other tournaments like amateur championships, the hakuho cup, other type of tournaments, etc.

Could I be lucky enough to be in tokyo when something like that happens?

 

Thanks everyone.

 

[Yamanashi 3,904]

Others will provide suggestions from first-hand experience.  However, if I were in your shoes, I'd look into visiting a heya (there are several in the area).  Make sure you find out the rules (some allow visitors during morning practice; some have large windows so people can see from outside).  As I said, others can provide more details.

[Akinomaki 40,781]

The jungyo is under way then, there is no schedule yet, but you may be lucky to have the Yasukuni event in the end, this year it was on the 17th, a day before that Machida, part of the greater Tokyo area. The kokugikan has the sumo museum, you'll have to check the days it's closed. Nearby is the/one yokozuna stone and other sumo related sightseeing points.

Foreign fans now go to this restaurant with sumo experience

On 04/09/2023 at 13:26, Akinomaki said:

His restaurant Yokozuna Tonkatsu - Dosukoi Tanaka in Sumida ward with dohyo is in the news for months - with plenty of videos from foreigners doing sumo on it with ex-rikishi, esp. Jokoryu

o

with also proper sumo demonstration

o o

The owner is former juryo for one basho Kaito - he opened it last November, to help others rikishi with their 2nd careers, with which he experienced troubles at first as well http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20230903-OYT1T50079/

On 19/09/2023 at 23:15, Akinomaki said:

He has his restaurant, but the whole show and the restaurant is managed by o-sumo-san.dot.com osumo-3.com - sumo experience.com: a company that employs ex-rikishi for purposes like sumo shows etc., run by public company Way, both with the same managing director - Tanaka is a very common name, so this Aya Tanaka probably is but doesn't have to be related.

- apparently a rival of Wakatenro's o-sumo-san promotions

The customers of Yokozuna Tonkatsu - Dosukoi Tanaka are nearly 100% from foreign countries, fully booked till mid November, the price is 10 000 yen or above for an adult. http://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/729014?display=1

If you want to go there, book early

One main piece of sumo sightseeing

On 10/12/2017 at 14:43, Akinomaki said:

.. the Tomioka Hachimangu appeared in the sumo news, with pics of ... chief priestess Nagako Tomioka with the 3 recent yokozuna on the days they had their name engraving ceremony at the yokozuna stone.

The shrine not only hosts the yokozuna stone(s), but also an ozeki stone, one for very big rikishi and more sumo monuments http://www.tomiokahachimangu.or.jp/htmls/sumou.html
http://4travel.jp/travelogue/11110172

yokozuna: older part from Asashio till Wakanohana

new part with names of the recent yokozuna

ozeki stone

http://www.asahi.com/area/tokyo/articles/MTW20171116131520001.html

hand- and footprints of very big rikishi

o o o

a stone with the names of those with 50 or more wins in a row - Hakuho is still active and thus not yet on it

vido

Edit: more pics in this thread: http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/topic/33210-kakuryu-visits-tomioka-hachimangu/

There may be a few small amateur events, but April is the start of the school year and the schedule will only appear shortly before

Edited September 25, 2023 by Akinomaki

[Kaitetsu 296]

From first had experience:
Tomioka Hachiman is a beautiful temple and the yokozuna, ozeki and strong(?) sekiwake stones are really cool if you are really into sumo and know some shikona kanji.
I didnt go to Yokozuna Tonkatsu but Chanko Kirishima and Chanko Edosawa serve delicious chanko in a sumo-y vibe but no exhibitions (tho Chanko Kirishima has an Akebono tsuna behind a glass, very cool).
 

[Katooshu 3,333]

The college sumo season tends to start in April and you might be able to catch an event. 

The schedule is here, though still for 2023. Seems it started a bit later this year, but perhaps next year will be earlier again: http://www.nihonsumo-renmei.jp/yotei/index.html

Edited September 25, 2023 by Katooshu

[Kuhne 57]

Wow you guys are awesome, thanks for helping me out, that restaurant with the show looks ridiculously fantastic and I think it’s going to have to be obligatory when we are in Tokyo. 
 

I already sent an email asking if it’s too early to book right now, I don’t want to forget. 
 

Catching some amateur sumo would be incredible as well. 

[Kuhne 57]

I sent an email to that sumo restaurant and apparently they can book me for April right now. So awesome I’m so happy, I can’t wait to get to get ragdolled out of the dohyo in front of my kids.  Small problem is it’s a little less than an hour via train from my hotel, less in car but taxi in Japan = $$$$.  Although I might just Uber it. 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Kuhne