Insights from a Kagurazaka Store Owner

UPDATE — September 30: EDO KAGURA has secured official Chair C tickets for the January 12, 2027 Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament through the Japan Sumo Association's group booking channel. Our next Grand Sumo Tournament Tour will be limited to 18 guests. See Section 10 for details. Planning to watch sumo in Tokyo in 2027? This guide explains when Tokyo sumo tickets go on sale, how international visitors can buy official tickets, which seats to choose, and what to do if tickets sel

Few people have ever experienced the sound of the kokyu performed live. Fewer still have had the chance to hold one themselves. In this article, we answer the question, "What Is the Kokyu Instrument?" We also explore why this 400-year-old instrument became the emotional voice of SHOGUN and where you can experience it for yourself in Tokyo. Table of Contents What Is the Kokyu Instrument? Why Is the Kokyu Instrument So Rare? The Sound of the Kokyu Instrument From SHOGUN to Kabu

Most visitors to Ryogoku walk from the station to Ryogoku Kokugikan in two minutes and spend the rest of the afternoon inside the arena. They see the bouts. They applaud. And then they leave. What they miss is the neighbourhood itself. The streets around Ryogoku Kokugikan contain the entire history of professional sumo — its Buddhist origins, its samurai context, its spiritual foundation, and the stables where today's wrestlers train. All of it is within a 90-minute walk. All

Tokyo in September marks the transition from late-summer heat to autumn. The first half remains humid, while the latter half becomes calmer and more comfortable. This guide covers essential information for first-time visitors: the weather, Silver Week crowds, the Grand Sumo Tournament, harvest festivals, Tsukimi, and an evening in Kagurazaka. Introduction If you ask people who have visited Tokyo in September, they often share a common sentiment: it’s a transition month. It’s

The rules of sumo take about thirty seconds to explain. Two wrestlers enter a clay ring. The first to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of his feet, or to step outside the circle, loses. That is the whole rulebook. And yet a single bout can contain more layers of meaning — historical, spiritual, tactical, cultural — than most sports pack into an entire season. The visitors who leave Ryogoku Kokugikan most deeply satisfied are not the ones who understood the

In sumo's top two divisions, every bout begins the same way. The wrestler walks to the corner of the ring, reaches into a wooden box, and throws a handful of coarse salt into the air. Some wrestlers throw it in a single elegant arc. Others hurl it toward the ceiling in a dramatic cloud that draws gasps from the crowd. A few scatter it quietly, almost privately, as if offering it to someone only they can see. Then they do it again. And again. Sometimes five or six times before

UPDATE — September 28: The September 2026 Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament concluded on September 27. We are pleased to confirm that our January 12, 2027 Grand Sumo Tournament Tour is now confirmed. We hope to offer similar tours in 2027, if we can secure official tickets. Guests on our Priority Waitlist will receive advance notice before reservations open to the general public. → Join the Priority Waitlist Planning to watch sumo in Tokyo in 2027? See our new guide, How to Get Sum

February in Tokyo is a unique season when winter gradually gives way to spring. It is a time when Setsubun, plum blossoms, early cherry blossoms, traditional performing arts, and geisha culture come together. With fewer crowds and a strong sense of seasonality, February is an ideal time for travelers who want to experience the deeper side of Japanese culture. This guide provides everything you need to know to enjoy Tokyo in February 2026. Tokyo Weather in February: Past the C

If you're planning a trip to Japan, you might find that Tokyo in September is the " hidden best season " to visit. As the peak summer heat subsides and the city regains its calm, it's the perfect chance to experience the true charm of Tokyo. This article will tell you everything you need to know to make your trip perfect: why September is recommended, the special experiences unique to this season, and the charm of Kagurazaka, an area where you can feel the essence of "real Ja

Introduction Are you planning a trip to Tokyo? Beyond the famous landmarks and bustling streets, perhaps you're searching for something...

Echizen Knife: A Blueprint for the Future of Japanese Traditional Crafts Many of Japan's traditional crafts, with their centuries of...

Paper making with a vat (suki-bune), bamboo screen (su), and mold (keta) A sheet of paper is something we take for granted. Yet, a recent...

On July 30th, I had the unique opportunity to visit Echizen City in Fukui Prefecture , thanks to an invitation from the city's Vice...

Freshly updated for summer 2026 As a longtime resident and professional tour planner in Tokyo, I have a secret to share about surviving August: sometimes, the best way to enjoy the city is to leave it. A quick but important note for first-time visitors: many travelers plan to follow the classic "Golden Route" from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. While this is a fantastic itinerary for other seasons, I strongly advise against it in August. The reason is simple: you'll be escaping th

Understanding Tokyo, Japan’s Weather in July: What to Expect and How to Prepare Summer matsuri festivals. The opening of Mt. Fuji’s climbing season. July is one of the most popular months for international travelers visiting Japan, thanks to vibrant summer festivals and the opening of Mt. Fuji’s climbing season. But with soaring temperatures and high humidity, how can you make the most of your trip? This article uses up-to-date data from the Japan Meteorological Agency and Ja

Freshly Handcrafted Sushi, Made by a Chef — While You Glide Through Japan’s Best-Kept Gourmet Secret Imagine embarking on a journey that...

Japan’s Best-Kept Secret: Discovering Amaharashi Coast’s Timeless Beauty This is the second installment in my blog series on Takaoka...

Dear Valued Customers, We hope this message finds you well. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and patronage. We would like...

Kagurazaka Store Owner Interview Series In the second installment of our Kagurazaka store owner Interview series exploring the charm of...

Kagurazaka Store Owner Interview Series Begins This marks the start of the series " Exploring the Charm of Kagurazaka’s Shopping Street...