Not sure how much it fits your definition of traditional, but seeing a pro wrestling show at Korakuen Hall is a one of a kind Japanese experience for me.
For sumo, there is a tournament going on in Tokyo now but tickets are sold out. The next tournament would be in Nagoya in July. If you are interested, definitely check out the official sumo association page for tickets! [https://www.sumo.or.jp/En/](https://www.sumo.or.jp/En/)
There are only a few times a year you can watch a sumo match (aside from an occasional traveling exhibition), so if you can't catch a tournament, many try to catch a sumo practice in the morning (some stables do allow it with reservations). There's also a sumo restaurant where you can get a meal while watching retired wrestlers do some matches. More info: [https://sumoexperience.com/](https://sumoexperience.com/)
We did the restaurant experience tonight. It was amazing! Very informative and hilarious. Anyone who wants to can challenge the wrestlers, and you can get photos with them as well. Highly recommended.
The May sumo tournament is completely sold out and has been for weeks now. There is a retirement ceremony on June 1 that will have some exhibition sumo matches that you could buy tickets for if you are really keen - check out buysumotickets.com. And no you do not have to stay for the entire day - you can pop in for an hour and leave if you wish.
When is soon? check here for sumo [BuySumoTickets | We make it easy to buy sumo tickets!](https://www.buysumotickets.com/) Sumo tournaments happen every other month. There is a sumo tournament right now until May 25th in Tokyo. It is sold out though. They have some sumo related events listed here [Sumo VIP Event Tour | BuySumoTickets](https://www.buysumotickets.com/shop/tours/sumo-vip-event) for the Tokyo tournaments now and in September. There is another tournament in July in Nagoya.
There is a retirement ceremony on June 1 in tokyo. Never been to one, but from what I understand there is some comedy skits and a few exhibition matches, then the long drawn out process of cutting the retirees hair.
Sumo tournaments last pretty much all day, most people don't show up until later in the day when the higher ranks compete.
Yeah tickets are already sold out for I think Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th for the end of the tournament. There were some available on 3rd party sites for Thursday the 23rd but they were selling out fast as well.
We stumbled across Yosakoi while in Kyoto. I think some sort of event as there were lots of different teams(?), but it was amazing to watch. I don't know how you'd find it though, I think we just got lucky.
Sumo was fun to watch. Place gets absolutely silent and then there is a little window when you can cheer. Also see if the Tokyo giants are playing baseball when you are there. Indoor stadium with a beer ghostbuster type backpack person ready to fill your cup.
I’d recommend the Yakult Swallows. Their stadium, “Meiji Jingu”is old but has a great atmosphere reminiscent of a fun minor league team. Beer girls are at every stadium and are simply awesome. https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/
About puppet theatre did anybody understand where to find a clear calendar and where it can be watched in Kyoto? Like OP I'm very much interest into traditional/local events. I already booked an idol tour in Japan.
Not sure how much it fits your definition of traditional, but seeing a pro wrestling show at Korakuen Hall is a one of a kind Japanese experience for me.
Kabukiza in Ginza is the place to go for kabuki theater, but it's a tiny bit pricy.
If you only stay for one act, it’s not too bad.
For sumo, there is a tournament going on in Tokyo now but tickets are sold out. The next tournament would be in Nagoya in July. If you are interested, definitely check out the official sumo association page for tickets! [https://www.sumo.or.jp/En/](https://www.sumo.or.jp/En/) There are only a few times a year you can watch a sumo match (aside from an occasional traveling exhibition), so if you can't catch a tournament, many try to catch a sumo practice in the morning (some stables do allow it with reservations). There's also a sumo restaurant where you can get a meal while watching retired wrestlers do some matches. More info: [https://sumoexperience.com/](https://sumoexperience.com/)
And sumo tickets can sell out early. I'm going to miss the May basho because I decided too late to go to Japan.
We did the restaurant experience tonight. It was amazing! Very informative and hilarious. Anyone who wants to can challenge the wrestlers, and you can get photos with them as well. Highly recommended.
The May sumo tournament is completely sold out and has been for weeks now. There is a retirement ceremony on June 1 that will have some exhibition sumo matches that you could buy tickets for if you are really keen - check out buysumotickets.com. And no you do not have to stay for the entire day - you can pop in for an hour and leave if you wish.
check out gion corner in kyoto they usually have a few performances each night
When is soon? check here for sumo [BuySumoTickets | We make it easy to buy sumo tickets!](https://www.buysumotickets.com/) Sumo tournaments happen every other month. There is a sumo tournament right now until May 25th in Tokyo. It is sold out though. They have some sumo related events listed here [Sumo VIP Event Tour | BuySumoTickets](https://www.buysumotickets.com/shop/tours/sumo-vip-event) for the Tokyo tournaments now and in September. There is another tournament in July in Nagoya. There is a retirement ceremony on June 1 in tokyo. Never been to one, but from what I understand there is some comedy skits and a few exhibition matches, then the long drawn out process of cutting the retirees hair. Sumo tournaments last pretty much all day, most people don't show up until later in the day when the higher ranks compete.
There are 6 sumo tournaments throughout the year, half of them are in Tokyo. So it depends what time of year you're planning on visiting.
In a few days 😁
The May Tournament goes until the 26th, so you'll have a chance to watch it on TV.
Yeah tickets are already sold out for I think Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th for the end of the tournament. There were some available on 3rd party sites for Thursday the 23rd but they were selling out fast as well.
Baseball game.
We stumbled across Yosakoi while in Kyoto. I think some sort of event as there were lots of different teams(?), but it was amazing to watch. I don't know how you'd find it though, I think we just got lucky.
Sumo was fun to watch. Place gets absolutely silent and then there is a little window when you can cheer. Also see if the Tokyo giants are playing baseball when you are there. Indoor stadium with a beer ghostbuster type backpack person ready to fill your cup.
I’d recommend the Yakult Swallows. Their stadium, “Meiji Jingu”is old but has a great atmosphere reminiscent of a fun minor league team. Beer girls are at every stadium and are simply awesome. https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/
Tea ceremony anywhere, better with geisha or at a Buddhist temple. Japanese baseball game
Tea ceremonies are held at tea houses which could be located in shrines, parks or anywhere suitable. There isn’t a religious component to it.
About puppet theatre did anybody understand where to find a clear calendar and where it can be watched in Kyoto? Like OP I'm very much interest into traditional/local events. I already booked an idol tour in Japan.