We begin this Ryogoku Sumo Hall box seats review with the one thing you are probably dying to know. No, this isn’t a comfortable seating arrangement and yes, it is kind of awkward being crammed into a small-ish pod with strangers. This was pre-pandemic, of course. Even then, the difference between four or two to a square wouldn’t be much of an improvement.
Sure, there is more space, but you are still sitting on a little carpeted platform with a small rail as backing. During sumo events, there are also pillows, but NJPW shows don’t have that luxury after fans used them as flaming weapons during Big Van Vader’s debut in 1987.
If we’re being honest, the pillows wouldn’t add much comfort, anyway. Here’s the deal, Ryogoku Sumo Hall box seats are a literal pain. Your extremities will fall asleep and getting up at the end of a three-hour show can be torture. But don’t let that stop you from sitting here.
The proximity to the action is awesome. And there is just something about it that is really cool. I have also sat up in the normal seats at Sumo Hall and the experience there isn’t nearly as good. If you don’t mind a little pain, the gain is totally worth it.
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If you’re taking public transit, head to the Ryogoku station and follow the people in LIJ shirts to Sumo Hall once you arrive there. There is also some signage in English and, honestly, it’s pretty easy to find.
The process to get in isn’t ideal. There is only one main entrance which everyone goes through and the line to enter is usually long and winding. Once inside, you’ll see tons of merch for sale. Autograph sessions take place before and after the show as well.
Around Sumo Hall are some restaurants including a little takeaway katsu place/bakery past the Ryogoku View Hotel that is pretty good and really cheap. You can see some photos of Tenzan and Kojima inside. When you get off the train, instead of turning right towards Sumo Hall, turn left and head down the street.
Also, just about every Lawson’s and/or Family Mart in the area will have like a ten-minute line, so be prepared to wait. You can get food and drinks inside the arena, but lines are brutal.
Ryogoku Sumo Hall box seats review: 7.5
I wanted the Ryogoku Sumo Hall box seats review score to be higher, but it is just so damn uncomfortable. It offers an incredibly awesome experience that I cannot recommend enough. However, you can’t ignore that massive flaw.
If you read our Oakland Coliseum review, you’ll know we love it despite large issues. Ryogoku Sumo Hall is very much the same. Either you can let the negatives ruin your experience or you can embrace the positives and apologize to your joints the next morning. It is certainly better than watching an NJPW show from Osaka-Jo Hall.
