Long ago, the oosumo Kumamoto basho was held at the prefectural gymnasium, which was cool for me as I’d often return after the matches to “hang” (this being a regional event, the sumotori can relax and tend to depart to more salubrious, uh … pubs … quickly after the final bout) and once found Takanohana’s cast-off yukata in a hallway corner (we apparently have the same arm length, while I lack the girth).
This year’s event will be held at the far-more-inconvenient Aquadome on December 9. Tickets top out at 17,800 yen for a ringside seat (“Oh, but they’re sold out!” you can truthfully tell your date) to 5,000 yen for the nosebleeder seats. Doors open at 8:00 while makuuchi and all of the good stuff starts at 13:30, continuing until 15:00. Pro advice: Find “the” entrance and play paparrazi (bring a pen and a few “shikishi” autograph boards - and ask which pub they’re headed to!) so as to have more fun for free. ー William

https://kumamotobasho.jp/