Sumo tournaments are held six times a year in Japan and are still very popular. The style is the same as in the past. Giant men (rikishi) wearing loincloths (fundoshi) wrapped around their crotch and waists fight on a circle of hardened earth called a sumo ring(dohyo).
Here is how to watch sumo from overseas, an old-fashioned yet still exciting sport that has been positioned as Japan’s national sport.
Sumo viewing means with beginner’s commentary
Japan Sumo Association Official Channel
The official channel of the Japan Sumo Association is on YouTube.
Even those who know little about sumo can enjoy the channel, as it includes commentary on the matches by the stablemasters. You can also watch dialogues, interviews, gourmet food, and training sessions.
The official smartphone application of the Japan Sumo Association is also recommended.
Ozumo, the official app of the Japan Sumo Association
You can watch videos of all tournaments and past tournaments. You can also get information to enjoy sumo such as ranking tables, star charts, and match tables, so it is highly recommended for beginner sumo fans.
How to Watch Traditional Sumo Broadcasts as See by the Japanese
NHK
NHK is Japan’s national broadcaster. It provides live coverage of the entire Grand Sumo tournament schedule on both television and radio.
For a long time, the majority of Japanese sumo fans have been watching live sumo broadcasts (live) on NHK.
In Asia, Oceania, Central and South America, and other regions, sumo is broadcast live via satellite through NHK World Premium. In Europe, it is broadcast on JSTV and ESPN, and in North America, Hawaii, etc., it is broadcast on TVJapan.
It can also be viewed via apps and websites.
The most recommended way to watch sumo wrestling right now
ABEMA
ABEMA is a video distribution service that is currently attracting attention in Japan for its unique program production and its extensive lineup. You can enjoy a variety of Japanese contents such as news, sports, dramas, animations, music and variety shows on your smartphone or tablet.
Sumo wrestling has become a hot topic and supported by sumo enthusiasts because it provides live streaming of all matches in all classes.
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To watch, you need to register for ABEMA Premium. The fee is 960 yen per month. There is a free trial for the first 2 weeks.
In addition to sumo, the recent World Cup soccer tournament was also a hot topic of conversation as all the matches were broadcast live. Other services such as dramas, animations, and variety shows are also available for unlimited viewing, and are recommended.
ABEMA is available for free. Please see this article on how to watch ABEMA from abroad.
What to do if you cannot watch Japanese TV or websites
If you cannot watch any of the TV programs or websites mentioned above, please install a VPN.
They may deny access from abroad.
They use IP addresses to determine if the access is from Japan or not.
A VPN connection is an effective way to circumvent that system, and it is not illegal.
Please refer to another post for an introduction to VPNs and how to register for one.
👉Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.