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【English Name】Ryogoku

Ryogoku is a place name located in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, widely known as the holy ground of grand sumo. The origin of the name lies in the fact that the Sumida River once formed the boundary between Musashi Province and Shimosa Province, making this a place straddling both provinces (ryogoku). When the Ryogoku Bridge was built in 1659, it became a base for Edo's eastward development.

In 1909, the first Kokugikan (national sumo arena) opened within the grounds of Eko-in Temple, and ever since this area has flourished as the center of sumo culture. The present Ryogoku Kokugikan, the second of its name, has been in use since 1985 and is located in Yokoami, Sumida Ward.

In its connection with sushi, it lies along the Sumida River basin where Edomae sushi developed, and as a district where many sumo wrestlers live, it is also famous as a dining quarter where chanko-nabe restaurants gather. Every spring the Ryogoku Nigiwai Festival is held, featuring chanko food stalls run by sumo wrestlers and the like. In addition, the Ryogoku fireworks (now the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival), which began in 1733, are said to be the fireworks event with the longest history in Japan, making it a place that also symbolizes the food and leisure culture of Edo.