Starting Sunday, November 8, 2026, "SUMO CULTURE LIVE FUKUOKA 2026" will be held at the "SONES port side" terrace seats on the 1st floor of Fukuoka International Congress Center (福岡国際会議場) in Fukuoka City. The event is organized by the Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau (公益財団法人福岡観光コンベンションビューロー) and the Fukuoka Convention Center (一般財団法人福岡コンベンションセンター).
Visitors can watch Grand Sumo and, on different days, try calligraphy, Japanese painting, tea ceremony, traditional instruments, and Hakata doll painting. The history, traditions, and basic rules of sumo are introduced in English by local volunteers called "Omotenashi Supporters" (おもてなしサポーター, or "Omosapo" for short).
The event welcomes travelers interested in Japanese culture, mainly from Europe, the US, and Australia, and aims to promote exchange with local people, including the Omosapo volunteers and students of Fukuoka International School (福岡インターナショナルスクール, FIS). It offers a chance to enjoy sumo, Japanese culture, and encounters with local people in November, when Fukuoka comes alive with the Grand Sumo Kyushu Tournament.
Daily Cultural Experiences
A different cultural experience is offered each day.
- November 8 (Sun) and 22 (Sun): Hakata doll painting
- November 9 (Mon) and 15 (Sun): Japanese painting
- November 10 (Tue): Tea ceremony
- November 11 (Wed) and 14 (Sat): Kanji calligraphy
- November 21 (Sat): Traditional instruments such as the shamisen and koto
Cultural experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration closes once capacity is reached.
On November 10 (Tue), food culture producer Yoshie Kamiya (神谷よしえ) will serve warm rice balls (onigiri).
Event Details
- Event name: SUMO CULTURE LIVE FUKUOKA 2026
- Dates: November 8 (Sun), 9 (Mon), 10 (Tue), 11 (Wed), 14 (Sat), 15 (Sun), 21 (Sat), and 22 (Sun), 2026
- Hours: 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM
- Venue: "SONES port side" terrace seats, 1st floor, Fukuoka International Congress Center (福岡国際会議場)
- Admission: Free (some merchandise is also sold on certain days)
- Official website: https://sumo-culture-live-fukuoka.jp/
- Organizers: Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau (公益財団法人福岡観光コンベンションビューロー) and Fukuoka Convention Center (一般財団法人福岡コンベンションセンター)
