November Fukuoka Sumo Tournament

Six major sumo tournaments (called honbasho) are held during the year—one on each odd month, each taking place over 15 consecutive days. Three of these honbasho are held in Tokyo at the famous Ryogoku Kokugikan in Sumida and the others are held in Osaka, Aichi, and Fukuoka prefectures. The November tournament, known as the Kyushu Basho, is hosted at the Fukuoka International Center.

The event is broadcast on NHK, but watching it on television can never replicate the intensity of sitting among thousands of fans as the sumo wrestlers poise behind the white battle lines, choosing their moment to lunge. Spectators should arrive by 2:00 PM to witness the elaborate ring-entering ceremonies of the top-ranked wrestlers. As the final tournament of the year, the atmosphere is particularly electric as competitors fight for their final rankings of the season. You can read a brief introduction to the sport here