What Is a Honbasho?
A honbasho (本場所) is an official Grand Sumo Tournament — the only type of sumo event where wins and losses count toward a wrestler's ranking. There are exactly six honbasho per year, each lasting 15 days. The tournament schedule is fixed and predictable, making it easy for fans worldwide to plan their viewing.
Every wrestler in the professional divisions competes once per day during a tournament. At the end of 15 days, the wrestler with the most wins claims the championship trophy (yūshō). Ties are resolved through playoff bouts.
The Six Annual Tournaments
| Tournament Name | Month | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatsu Basho (New Year) | January | Tokyo | Ryōgoku Kokugikan |
| Haru Basho (Spring) | March | Osaka | Edion Arena Osaka |
| Natsu Basho (Summer) | May | Tokyo | Ryōgoku Kokugikan |
| Nagoya Basho (Nagoya) | July | Nagoya | Dolphins Arena |
| Aki Basho (Autumn) | September | Tokyo | Ryōgoku Kokugikan |
| Kyūshū Basho (Kyushu) | November | Fukuoka | Fukuoka Convention Center |
How a Tournament Day Works
Each day of a basho follows a structured progression from lower to higher divisions:
- Morning (around 8:00 AM): Jonokuchi and Jonidan (the lowest divisions) begin competing. The arena is mostly empty at this point.
- Midday: Sandanme and Makushita divisions compete. More fans begin arriving.
- Afternoon (~2:30 PM): Jūryō (second division) bouts begin, with wrestlers wearing the silk mawashi of professional-rank rikishi.
- Late afternoon (~4:00 PM): The top-division (Makuuchi) bouts begin, building in rank toward the most senior wrestlers.
- Final bouts (~6:00 PM): The highest-ranked wrestlers — ōzeki and yokozuna — compete last. The arena is full and atmosphere is electric.
Ranking and Consequences
Tournament performance directly controls a wrestler's ranking (banzuke), which is re-evaluated after every basho. A wrestler in the top division needs at least 8 wins out of 15 to achieve a "winning record" (kachi-koshi) and maintain or improve his rank. Fewer than 8 wins means a losing record (make-koshi) and demotion.
The stakes are highest at the top:
- An ōzeki who records two consecutive losing records is demoted to sekiwake.
- A yokozuna cannot be demoted — but is expected to retire if performance deteriorates significantly.
- Wrestlers in the lower divisions need a winning record to advance toward the top.
How to Watch
For international fans, the Japan Sumo Association's official YouTube channel streams daily highlight packages. The NHK World service provides live English commentary during the final bouts of each day. Attending in person is also possible — tickets for the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo can be purchased through the official sumo ticket website, with same-day unreserved seats often available at the door.
Championship Prizes and Trophies
The tournament champion receives the Emperor's Cup — Japan's most prestigious sporting trophy — along with numerous additional prizes donated by corporate sponsors and foreign governments. The winner's portrait is hung in the Kokugikan, and particularly dominant champions earn special recognition from the Japan Sumo Association.