Interested in becoming a sumo fan? Or perhaps you would like to know the best way to get into the sport?

We spoke with Tomoko, one of our recruiters at YARUKI Switch Career, who is a longtime sumo fan. Read her responses to find out why she loves the sport, learn sumo-related vocabulary, and discover fun facts – like why people bring babies to sumo events.

1. How long have you been a sumo fan and how did you get involved?

I've been a fan since around 2008, so for nearly 20 years now. I happened to watch a match on TV, and even though the fight is over in an instant, I was fascinated by the incredible variety of techniques that decide it.

2. What are your favorite things about sumo?

Out of everything, the wrestlers' personalities are probably the best part. They look so fierce and focused in the ring, but outside the ring, a lot of them are cheerful and super funny. Many are natural entertainers who can sing or act, and some even become full-time singers or actors after retiring!

3. What is your favorite memory or experience related to sumo?

Here’s a memory from when I went to a regional tour (jungyo). Besides the official, regular tournaments called Honbasho – where the sumo wrestlers' rankings are decided – there are unofficial exhibition tours held all over Japan during the off-season. The best part of these tours is getting to interact with the wrestlers up close.

I actually brought my nephew along when he was just 10 months old. There's a traditional belief in Japan that a baby held by a sumo wrestler will grow up healthy. My nephew was cuddled by so many wrestlers that day, and true to the tradition, he's 14 now and still doing wonderfully – healthy and strong!

4. What is something about sumo that people from other countries may find interesting or surprising?

Not many people know this, but sumo wrestlers actually smell amazing! The pomade (bintsuke-abura) used to style their signature mage topknot is blended with fragrant woods and sweet natural scents. If you ever get the chance to be near one, definitely take a whiff of that unique, sweet, and gentle aroma!

5. For people from other countries who are interested in the sport, do you have any recommendations for how they can experience sumo or become fans?

Besides the raw power of watching it live, I think you'd love how deeply it connects you to traditional Japanese beauty. When you go to the Kokugikan, you'll see sumo wrestlers stylishly dressed in kimono with their topknots (mage), and even many in the audience wear kimono too. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend wearing a kimono yourself, sitting in a traditional box seat (masu-seki), and enjoying the match with classic Japanese food like yakitori and sake!

6. What are some Japanese words or cultural aspects related to sumo that people who are looking to get into sumo should know?

What makes sumo unique is that it’s not just a sport – it’s a sacred Shinto ritual (shinji). Knowing this makes watching it so much richer. A great example is shiko (leg stomping), which drives away evil spirits and purifies the land.

• Warding off Evil Spirits: Stomping hard purifies the ground by driving away hidden evil spirits (shiko, meaning "ugly things").
• Praying for Bountiful Harvests: Stomping awakens the earth deity to pray for good crops, much like a groundbreaking ceremony for a new home.
• Ring-Entering Ceremony (Dohyo-iri): Top wrestlers stomp during their entrance to warm up and purify the ring before bouts.

The Health Benefits

Beyond tradition, shiko is a smart training method that builds hip flexibility, core strength, and lower-body stability – making "Shiko Training" popular even among modern athletes.

Shiko is the ultimate sumo tradition, perfectly combining sacred ritual with elite athletic training.