The traditional sport of sumo wrestling is still very popular among Japanese people today. Ritual matches are only held at three shrines: Ise Jingu in Mie, Meiji Jingu in Shibuya, Tokyo, and here at Yasukuni Jinja.
Matches were held for three days at Yasukuni Jinja to celebrate the shrine’s founding in 1869, and, continue to be held to this day as part of the Annual Spring Rites.
After the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena burned down in 1917, four official tournaments were held at this ring over the next two years.