Sumo is one of Japan's traditional cultures that enjoys worldwide popularity. Watching a sumo match, organized by the Japan Sumo Association, is one of the things that foreign tourists want to experience at least once, but it can be quite difficult to coordinate the timing and location of the match with your visit to Japan. "THE SUMO HALL HIRAKUZA OSAKA" which opened in Namba, Osaka, is holding unique sumo shows every day to make the dreams of sumo fans come true.

*Performance schedule is subject to change. For details,Ticket purchase pagePlease check.

The show is entirely in English, and you can enjoy a variety of sumo-related content over the course of 60 minutes. Another great thing about the show is that you can enjoy the show while sipping on a bento lunch (which is also vegan and halal-friendly) and drinking alcohol.

The opening show intertwines the history of sumo with mythology, allowing you to fully enjoy the mystical side of sumo, which is both a martial art and a religious ritual. All the performers are former sumo wrestlers, so it's exciting right from the start.

Next up is a corner introducing sumo knowledge. You'll be thrilled by the power of the many powerful techniques, including practice collisions and elegant throws. There will also be a reenactment of training, such as the split, which gives you an idea of the flexibility of the wrestlers. In addition, in "Hatsugiri," which introduces forbidden techniques, there will be plenty of gags woven in, and a variety of comical techniques will make you laugh.

After learning about sumo, the tournament begins with serious matches. The tension builds as the wrestlers start their shikomi (sumo squat) and collide, and the excitement in the arena reaches a peak the moment they collide in perfect unison. The powerful techniques leave the audience in awe. The wide variety of matches, from those that are decided quickly to those that take a long time and involve a close fight, fully convey the appeal of sumo.

The finale of the show is an experience program. Three people selected by lottery from among those who wish to participate will step onto the ring and experience a match against a sumo wrestler. When the audience members dressed in sumo suits stand up to the wrestlers, they are gently lifted up and given a lot of hospitality.

At the end of the show, you can take a commemorative photo with the wrestlers. Standing next to these impressively built wrestlers will make you feel as if you have been transported to another world.

The shopping corner is packed with sumo-related goods, including folding fans, geta sandals, and hats. The designs of sumo wrestlers depicted in ukiyo-e prints are sure to make a welcome souvenir. They also sell merchandise featuring the wrestlers appearing in the show, so if you have a favorite wrestler, be sure to buy some to show your support. They also carry merchandise sold at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, so hardcore sumo fans can't miss out.

THE SUMO HALL HIRAKUZA OSAKA

Namba Parks 8F, 2-10-70 Namba Naka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka

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Business hours: 11:00-23:00 (only the souvenir shop is open from 11:00-17:00)
Closed: Tuesdays (open during peak season), New Year's holidays
Phone number: 06-6556-9677
*This may change depending on the performance time.
Official website

Buying tickets

LOCATION

By train: Approximately 7 minutes on foot from Nankai Electric Railway's Namba Station / Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Osaka Metro Midosuji Line's Namba Station / Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Hanshin/Kintetsu's Osaka Namba Station