Ryōgoku Nigiwai Festival

Ryōgoku is a neighborhood with a long history as the center of Japan’s national sport of sumo. It’s also the home to some major museums.

What happens?

The event was started to highlight the many points of interest in the area (nigiwai is a word that means prosperity or flourishing). So naturally the festival takes place on the main Kokugikan Street near the sumo stadium and station, as well as at the local Ekōin Temple.

There are lots of stalls serving chanko nabe (a staple food of sumo wrestlers — likely served by the wrestlers themselves!) for just ¥500, tea parties, stage events, and that old favorite of Japanese community festivals — a stamp rally.