Ryogoku (—¼‘, Ryōgoku) is the center of the sumo world. It is a district in Tokyo where the sumo stadium, many sumo stables, chanko restaurants and other sumo-related attractions can be found. Sumo events have been staged in this area for a long time.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, tournaments were held outdoors at shrines and temples. In 1909, the first permanent sumo hall was built in the Ryogoku area. Today's sumo stadium, the current Kokugikan, is the fourth built in Tokyo and has been in use since 1985. It seats over 10,000 visitors and hosts three of the six annual sumo tournaments (in January, May and September).
Sumo stables are the places where sumo wrestlers live and train. Among the several dozens of sumo stables currently in existence, many are located in the Ryogoku area. At some stables, it is possible to view the sumo practice in the early mornings. Most require advance applications by phone and some request that guests are accompanied by a Japanese speaker.
Chanko nabe is the staple food of sumo wrestlers. It is a hot pot dish that comes in many varieties and contains vegetables, seafood and meat. There are several restaurants in the Ryogoku area that feature chanko nabe on their menus. Many of the restaurants are managed by retired wrestlers.
Other places of interest in the Ryogoku district are located within walking distance of Ryogoku Station and the sumo stadium, including the excellent Edo-Tokyo Museum on Tokyo's history and culture, the Sumida Hokusai Museum, one of Japan's best ukiyo-e museums, and Yokoamicho Park which commemorates the two most destructive events in Tokyo during the 20th century: the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the fire bombings of World War 2.
Kokugikan Sumo Stadium
Museum hours: 12:30 to 16:00 (entry until 15:30) Museum closed: weekends, national holidays and between exhibitions Museum admission: Free
The Kokugikan seats over 10,000 visitors and hosts three of the six annual sumo tournaments (in January, May and September). On non-tournament days, a small sumo museum and a shop selling various sumo goods are open to visitors. During tournaments, they are only accessible to ticket holders.
Through numerous models of towns, figurines, life-sized figures and many other exhibits, this outstanding museum vividly illustrates the past of Tokyo.
Hours: 9:30 to 17:30 (entry until 17:00) Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a holiday), New Year holidays Admission: 400 yen (permanent exhibition)
Opened in 2016 in Tokyo's Sumida City Ward, the birth place of Katsushika Hokusai, the well-done, fully bilingual Sumida Hokusai Museum features a permanent exhibition room with Hokusai's works through his life and interesting general information about ukiyo-e, as well as exhibition space for rotating, temporary exhibitions related to the great painter which cost a separate admission fee.
The Japanese Sword Museum
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mon (or next day if Mon is a holiday), New Year, between exhibitions Admission: 1000 yen
The Japanese Sword Museum exhibits a large number of sword blades and related items, including historic and modern items. Exhibitions are changed multiple times per year. Formerly located in Shinjuku, the museum was moved and reopened in a modern building adjacent to Kyu-Yasuda Garden (see below) in 2018.
Kyu-Yasuda Garden
Hours: 9:00 to 19:30 (until 18:00 from October to March) Closed: December 29 to January 1 Admission: Free
The Kyu-Yasuda Teien is a garden with a pond in the shape of the Japanese kanji "kokoro", meaning "heart". The garden was remodeled by entrepreneur Yasuda Zenjiro in the late 1800s and is known as a garden representative of a Meiji Period-style garden, many of which were built by prominent industrialists and politicians.
Tokyo Memorial Hall
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 Closed: Dec 29 to Jan 1 Admission: Free
Located in Yokoamicho Park, the memorial hall serves to remember the victims of the Tokyo air raids during World War 2. Peace is advocated, and prayers for the victims can be made. Next to the hall stands a memorial monument for the Korean victims, as well as a peace monument.
Great Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mondays (or next day if Monday is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3 Admission: Free
Also located in Yokoamicho Park, this museum displays remains of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, as well as items which demonstrate the aid rendered by foreign countries to help Tokyo in the aftermath of the disaster.
Ryogoku Edo Noren
Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 22:00 Information desk: 10:00 to 18:00
Located in the Ryogoku Station Building, the Ryogoku Edo Noren is a pleasant collection of small restaurants that offer Tokyo-specialty foods, such as sushi, chanko nabe and soba. A tourist information desk and a replica sumo ring can also be found in the complex.
Getting there and around
Take the JR Sobu Line or Oedo Subway Line to Ryogoku Station.
Featuring free WiFi and a hot tub, Mokkoan offers accommodation in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Private parking is available on site. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Certain units have a seating area where you can relax. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. You will find a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Yokohama is 37 km from Mokkoan, while Chiba is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 24 km from Mokkoan.
Located in the Taito district in Tokyo, TOE LIBRARY Tokyo Asakusa offers 3-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 500 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine, 200 metres from Sanyabori Park and 300 metres from Imado Shrine. The apartment features family rooms. The apartment complex will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some units include a terrace and/or a balcony with garden views. At the apartment complex, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels. A bicycle rental service is available at the apartment. Popular points of interest near TOE LIBRARY Tokyo Asakusa include Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden, Great Tokyo Air Raid Memorial Monument and Honryuji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 23 km from the accommodation.
Set in the Ota Ward district in Tokyo, 5 km from Tokyo International Airport Terminal No2 Observation Deck, HISAYO'S INN features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi throughout the property. Each room has air conditioning and a safety deposit box. A shared kitchen comes with a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, toaster and electric kettle. Bathrooms are shared and include free toiletries, towels, hairdryer, mouthwash and toothpaste. You will find a washing machine, tumble dryer and electrical adapter. Guests can try Japanese traditional haori jacket and have their photos taken free of charge. Rental bikes are available, and the staff can assist guests try on a yukata robe for female at a fee. Free luggage storage service is offered. Bike hire is available at this guest house and the area is popular for cycling. Oedo Onsen Monogatari is 8 km from HISAYO'S INN, while Fuji TV Odaiba is 9 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 3 km from HISAYO'S INN.
Conveniently set in the Edogawa district of Tokyo, 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe is situated 1.3 km from Furukawa Shinsui Park, 1.5 km from Gyosen Park and 1.6 km from Ukita Park. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 700 metres from Subway Museum. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Shin Nagashima River Shinsui Park is 1.7 km from 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe, while Former House of Udagawa Family is 2.6 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
Open from October 2015, Sato-san's Rest offers accommodation in a shopping arcade in Tokyo's traditional downtown area. It features free WiFi and bicycle rental at an additional charge. Ueno can be reached with a 5-minute train ride while Akihabara is a 10-minute train ride away The property is a 8-minute walk from Hibiya Line Minowa Station exit 3, and a 30-second walk away from Toden Arakawa Line Arakawa-itchumae Station. Minowa Station provides better access to the city centre. . Yokohama is 35 km from Sato-san's Rest, while Chiba is 33 km from the property. Haneda Airport is 20 km away. All rooms come with free tea bags. Bathroom facilities are shared. There is luggage storage space at the property. The shower booths are available 24 hours and comes with free toiletries. Guests can enjoy local Japanese dishes at the nearby restaurants or buy some groceries at the shops in the arcade.
Kaminarimon Ryokan offers accommodation with free WiFi. The rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, fridge and Nespresso coffee machine. An electric kettle, a green tea set and free toiletries are provided. The hotel offers laundry service for an additional fee. Kaminarimon Ryokan is a 2-minute walk to the Asakusa Metro Station. From there, destinations like Akihabara, Ginza and Ueno are a 15-minute subway ride away. There are many dining options and convenience stores within a few minutes' walk from the hotel.
Composed of 2 buildings, The Okura Tokyo boasts a garden and bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge, ticket service and currency exchange for guests. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, kettle and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All guest rooms have a private bathroom with a bath, hairdryer, bidet and free toiletries. Located on 28-40 floors, Prestige Tower offers rooms with cityscape views. Guests booking room type with Club Lounge Access in Heritage Wing can enjoy Club Lounge. Spacious rooms in Heritage Wing include complimentary welcome drink, steam sauna and spa bath. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near The Okura Tokyo include Iino Hall and Conference Centre, National Diet Building and Space FS Shiodome. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International, 22 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Attractively located in the Koto Ward district of Tokyo, ulu Tokyo is situated 700 metres from Monument of Electric Experiment at Hiraga Gennai, 500 metres from Shibusawa Eiichi Taku Monument and 700 metres from Site of Mutsu Munemitsu Residence. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. Some rooms at the property have a balcony with a city view. Some rooms include a kitchen with a fridge and a microwave. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Shinkawa Historic Place Monument, Masago Monument and Bank of Japan Origin Place Monument. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 17 km from ulu Tokyo.
Boasting chic decor with touches of Japanese traditional aethetics, Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 7 dining options are featured, and free parking is available on site. JR Meguro Station is 6 minutes on foot and Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is a 12-minute stroll. Free WiFi is provided throughout. All spacious rooms rooms include a satellite TV with cable channels, minibar, a coffee machine and handy smartphone. An en suite bathroom is fitted with a spa bath, free toiletries and hairdryer. For your comfort, some rooms include a sauna. Guests can unwind in a Japanese-style garden or at a library on site The front desk is open for 24 hours a day, and there are a pastry shop and gift shop at the property. Massage services and room services can be arranged. Shunyuki serves signature Chinese delicacies, while Tofutei offers an authentic Japanese kaiseki multi-course meal. Teppanyaki Japanese wagyu beed, American-style grilled dishes and Italian cuisine can be sampled on site. Live piano performance can also be enjoyed at an on-site cafe lounge in the day time. JR Shibuya Station is a 5-minute train ride, while JR Shinagawa Station is 8 minutes by train from Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 10 km away.
Ideally situated in the centre of Tokyo, ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA is within 400 metres of Origami Kaikan and 500 metres of TKP Garden City Premium Akihabara. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 500 metres from Koobu Inari Shrine, 300 metres from EDO Culture Complex and 500 metres from Ochanomizu Park. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchen, a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA the rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kamezumiinari Shrine, Yushima Goryo Shrine and Yushima Seido. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 21 km from ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA.
Take the subway to Asakusa Station (Ginza Line) Exit 4 and walk for 20 seconds. It is 220 meters away from Sensoji Kaminarimon Gate. The location is perfect!
**Klook Exclusive Free Next Day Return! Limited Time Only!** Show this message and return your Kimono the next day for FREE for rental during Sep 15 - Dec 15, 2023. Exclusions applied to Formal Kimono Furisode and Homongi. See What to Expect for more details
Come face to face with Japanese culture that has been kept alive through many years, such as the presence of a referee which began in the Sengoku period (about 1467-1603)