Some cities have neighborhoods on "the other side of the tracks". Tokyo has neighborhoods on "the other side of the river". These aren't neighborhoods to be avoided though - rather, most of them have storied pasts and fascinating sights. One of my favorites to explore is the sumo neighborhood of Ryogoku. Ryogoku today is known... Continue Reading →
Crash Course: Sumo
Six months of the year, I actually turn on my television. As the only channels we really get are the public NHK ones, I often don't bother ... Japanese game shows have yet to grow on me. But when the sumo tournaments are on, I'm glued to my set for at least the final hour.... Continue Reading →
Experience: Attending a Sumo Practice
There’s nothing like a sumo match. Salt throwing, knee slapping behemoths in a sandy ring, waiting for some unspoken cue to attempt to topple each other over. I saw my first sumo tournament from the cheap seats of the Tokyo Kokugikan (sumo stadium) and something in me became thoroughly captivated by this sweaty sport with... Continue Reading →