The Fukuoka Kokusai Center was built with sumo in mind. Around the clay ring (dohyo) are rows of ringside cushions, then a sea of square boxes on tatami, then rows of chairs around the upper part of the hall. The hall is smaller than Tokyo’s Kokugikan, so even « cheap » seats offer a decent view. Here is what each category is like and what it costs in 2026.
Official ticket prices 2026
| Seat | Unit | Weekday | Weekend & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamari (ringside) | 1 person | ¥20,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Masu S (rows 1–4) | 2-person box | ¥26,000 | ¥28,000 |
| Masu S | 4-person box | ¥52,000 | ¥56,000 |
| Masu A (rows 5–8) | 2-person box | ¥22,000 | ¥26,000 |
| Masu A | 3-person box | ¥33,000 | ¥39,000 |
| Masu A | 4-person box | ¥44,000 | ¥52,000 |
| Masu B (rows 9–10) | 2-person box | ¥19,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Masu B | 4-person box | ¥38,000 | ¥40,000 |
| Masu C (row 11) | 3-person box | ¥24,000 | ¥25,500 |
| Masu C | 4-person box | ¥32,000 | ¥34,000 |
| « Easy » 2-person masu C (rows 12–13) | 2 people in a 4-person box | ¥19,000 | ¥19,000 |
| Pair seat with table (row 14) | 2 people | ¥19,000 | ¥19,000 |
| Chair S (front, upper level) | 1 person | ¥5,500 | ¥6,000 |
| Chair A (opposite side) | 1 person | ¥4,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Chair B (east / west) | 1 person | ¥2,500 | ¥3,000 |
| Chair C (east / west) | 1 person | ¥2,000 | ¥2,500 |
Official 2026 price list of the Japan Sumo Association, taxes included. Boxes are sold per box: if you are alone in a two-person box, you pay for the box.
Tamari seats: ringside, with rules
The tamari-seki — also called sunakaburi, « sand-covered » — are cushions on the floor right around the ring. You will feel the impact of the collisions and may see a 170 kg wrestler fly towards you, which is why the rules are strict: ages 16 and over only, no eating or drinking, no phones, no photos, no back-rests. They are not sold through Ticket Pia and are rarely available to visitors. Wonderful for fans, frustrating if you want to take pictures.
Masu boxes: the traditional way to watch
A masu is a square of about 1.3 m by 1.3 m, bordered by a low metal rail, with cushions on the floor. You take your shoes off, sit cross-legged or kneeling, and eat and drink in the box — a bento, beer, yakitori — as Japanese spectators have done for generations. It is convivial and atmospheric, but cramped: four Western adults in a four-person box is a squeeze for four hours. That’s why many couples choose the « easy » two-person boxes (a four-person box used by two).
- Masu S (rows 1–4): superb view, the closest you can get after tamari.
- Masu A (rows 5–8): still excellent, the best compromise in the boxes.
- Masu B and C: further back and lower than the chairs: heads in front can block part of the ring.
Chair seats: the best value
Chair seats (isu-seki) are set around the upper part of the hall. You keep your shoes on, you have a back, and you can stretch your legs. The higher position gives a clear view of the whole ring and of the ceremonies.
- Chair S: on the shomen (front) side, the side television cameras film from and the wrestlers face during the ring-entering ceremonies. Our favourite.
- Chair A: on the mukō-shomen side, opposite the front. Good view, you see the referee from behind at times.
- Chair B and C: on the east and west sides. Cheaper and further away, but perfectly fine for following the bouts, especially with binoculars.
Which seat should you choose?
| You are… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| On a budget, or a first-timer | Chair S or A | Good view, comfort, low price |
| A couple wanting the traditional feel | « Easy » 2-person masu C or 2-person masu A | Box experience without sharing |
| A group of four | 4-person masu A | Shared bento and beer, best atmosphere |
| A family with young children | Chair seats or a kids/senior box voucher | Children can move; discount boxes for groups with a child |
| A hardcore fan | Tamari if you can get it | The sound and power of the bouts |
Tips for every seat
- Binoculars make a real difference from chair B and C seats.
- Bring a light layer: the hall can be cool in the morning and warm in the evening.
- Cushions are thin: a small folding seat or extra cushion helps in the boxes (if it does not block others).
- You cannot choose your exact seat when buying at 7-Eleven or through a tour; seat numbers are allocated.
Read also:Fukuoka Kokusai Center: access, food and tips
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats for sumo in Fukuoka?
Tamari ringside seats are the closest, but the best all-round choice for visitors is a chair S seat facing the front of the ring, or a masu A box if you want the traditional experience.
How much is a box seat at the Kyushu Basho?
In 2026, a masu box costs from ¥19,000 (two people, back rows) to ¥56,000 (four people, front rows, weekend). Boxes are sold per box, not per person.
Can I buy a single seat in a masu box?
Not on the official site — boxes are sold whole. Some tours, such as the H.I.S. viewing tour, sell individual places in masu C boxes shared with other guests.
Are chair seats far from the ring?
They are higher and further back than the boxes, but the Fukuoka Kokusai Center is a compact hall: the view is good, especially from chair S and A.
Affiliate disclosure: this guide contains affiliate links to GetYourGuide. If you book through them we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative and were checked at the time of writing — the live price on the booking page always prevails.