7 Reasons to Visit THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA for Nighttime Entertainment in Namba

Hi! Maido!
I’m Betty, the head of entertainment info here at Osaka Bob Family.

Osaka has a lot of fun places to go and delicious restaurants to eat in, but I’ve heard some people say that there aren’t enough places to go out at night. The thing is, Osaka has many night spots compared to other cities. But perhaps there aren’t enough spots to accommodate the huge number of tourists we’ve been seeing recently.

So I’d like to tell you about a new spot I’ve found that is great for night time entertainment—THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA. It opened in the Minami district of Osaka, the part of Osaka that is known for nightlife. Here are 7 reasons why I recommend this new sumo entertainment hall where you can experience real sumo culture!

*The content, dates, times, pricing, etc. listed are subject to change.

Reason Number 1: Impressive Performances by Former Sumo Wrestlers!

The first reason you’ll want to visit Hirakuza is that you can witness remarkable performances.

The performers are actually former sumo wrestlers. You’ll notice that their physiques are completely different from the size and shape of ordinary people!
You’ll hear shouts of “Hakkeyoi!” when the wrestlers appear at the sumo ring. THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA is an authentic place where you can experience the culture behind sumo and get a taste of real Japan.
The performances last about 60 minutes and they are heavy on the entertainment side of things. The show that conveys the history and culture of sumo, which dates back over 1,500 years, and an explanation of the rules of sumo, plus a sumo tournament between sumo wrestlers.

The sumo show gives life to the culture of sumo, which is said to have originated in a period of Japanese history when myths were fundamentally important, and sumo was held in the imperial court as a ritual to predict the harvest. The show expertly utilizes lighting and sound to create a sacred atmosphere!

When the rules are explained, they demonstrate the basic moves for winning as well as introducing moves that are against the rules. As a spectator at sumo you should know that cheering loudly is bad manners, but at THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA, it’s perfectly acceptable to laugh out loud! Also, you won’t want to miss the sumo tournament!

It’s a four-person tournament, so you can watch three matches.
Where else can you see something this good? It’s the ultimate Japan experience!
Plus, if you’re lucky enough to be chosen from the audience, you can even get up into the ring and experience sumo first-hand.

You can take a commemorative photo with the wrestlers too! That would make a great keepsake, wouldn’t it?
In sumo, there is a rule that women aren’t allowed inside the ring, but that rule doesn’t apply at THE SUMO HALL Hikurakuza OSAKA!

Reason Number 2: It’s a Nighttime Activity!

The second reason we recommend Hikurakuza is that it’s something you can do at night.
There are generally two performances daily, the first starting at 6pm (doors 5pm) and the late show at 9pm (doors at 8pm). However, on days when there is only one performance, it starts at 7pm (doors 6pm).
And although restaurants and karaoke establishments are open at night, many of the experience-based things you can do in Osaka are only open during the day. One of the nice things about Hikurakuza is that you can go there at night.

The seats are positioned around the sumo ring stage, and each seat is on an incline, so no matter where you are seated you have a good view!

Reason Number 3: It’s Within Walking Distance of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori! Located on the 8th floor of Namba Parks

The third reason we recommend this place is that it is located right in the heart of Osaka in a stylish shopping complex Namba Parks, which is in Namba, Osaka’s busiest neighborhood at night.

Namba Parks is one of Namba’s best hotspots, with over 200 shops selling everything from clothing to household goods, and with an impressive collection of restaurants. In the winter, the building is transformed by beautiful light displays.
Hirakuza is located on the 8th floor of Namba Parks. And signs for Hirakuza are posted inside the building, so you won’t get lost!
Plus it’s just a short walk from Namba Parks to the popular tourist area, Dotonbori. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk there, depending on the crowds and how long you have to wait at traffic lights.

Dotonbori is where you’ll find tons of restaurants serving Osaka’s esteemed food, such as takoyaki, ramen, and kushiage. And be sure to check out the billboards while you’re here. They’re flashy as all get-out and the 3D crabs and dragons make the place feel like a theme park—a theme park for food! I recommend you spend your night in Osaka with a visit to both Dotonbori and Hirakuza!

Reason Number 4: The Show Is in English, So You Don’t Need Any Japanese!

And now for reason number 4 why THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA is a great place to go. The show is in English! Places like Osaka Castle are accessible to everyone since the appeal is based on appearance alone. But once you get into deeper cultural experiences, language becomes a big barrier.

Never fear! Hirakuza has not only English pamphlets, but the show is presented by a host who speaks fluent English. So there’s no need to worry about not being able to understand what is going on.

One of the MCs is Katsura Fukuryu, originally from Canada.

In addition to explaining the history, culture, and rules of sumo, the host narrates the performances in a very entertaining way. You’ll be laughing out loud because there are tons of jokes!

Reason Number 5: The Bento Box Is Delicious & Comes in Halal, Vegan and High-end Options!

The fifth reason to visit THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA is that you can eat dinner while enjoying the show! Visitors can get an original Hirakuza bento box containing Osaka specialties and it comes with a drink.
Do you think it’s embarrassing to eat while watching the show? Is it bad manners?
Absolutely not!
In Japan, it’s very common to enjoy a bento box while watching plays and kabuki performances. Come and experience this very Japanese way of enjoying entertainment!

Plus show time is dinner time! The shows start at either 6pm or 9pm, so the timing is perfect for a dinner bento!

All the seats have tables, so you have a space to spread out your lunch. It’s great for families with children! By the way, this is the Hirakuza bento, which includes takoyaki, one of Osaka’s specialties.

In addition to the Hirakuza bento, there is also a high-end bento (additional fee 4,000 yen) made by Nadaman, a Japanese restaurant boasting over 190 years in business. There’s also a halal bento (additional fee 2,000 yen), which is made in a dedicated kitchen that meets the strict standards of the Japan Halal Association. And finally, there is a vegan bento (additional fee 2,000 yen), which is prepared in a kitchen that has never cooked animal ingredients.
Plus this cute little Hirakuza children’s bento is provided for children (at no extra cost).

You can also opt for the Hirakuza Snack Bag instead of the bento box and get a selection of snacks with flavors from the Kansai region. The snacks come in an original tote bag, which is full of takoyaki-flavored snacks, matcha flavored Pocky, and other traditional Japanese treats.

Adults might prefer a delicious draft beer, sake, or bottled wine (available in red or white). There are non-alcoholic and soft drinks available too. Enjoy your evening even more with the meal and drinks selection!
*The menu is subject to change.
*Customers under the age of 20 are not permitted to order alcoholic beverages.

Reason Number 6: Sumo Souvenirs from the Gift Shop!

The sixth reason you absolutely have to visit THE SUMO HALL HIRAKUZA OSAKA is the gift shop. They sell original HIRAKUZA merchandise and other popular items!

The original Hirakuza merchandise is all sumo-inspired, like the fan modeled after the sumo referee’s fan, and the teacups decorated with the 82 different sumo techniques that can win a match.

Magnets are a pretty popular souvenir in the US, where I’m from… But with so many choices, it’s hard to decide what to buy at this gift shop.

The gift shop is open from 11am to 11pm. You can stop into shop anytime!

Reason Number 7: Multiple Performances Make it Easy to Fit Your Schedule

Sumo is Japan’s national sport and six tournaments are held every year. Each tournament lasts for 15 days so, with the 6 tournaments and 15 days, that means there are matches 90 days out of a year. However, for people visiting from overseas, the timing of the sumo tournaments don’t always match up with their travel plans. Sumo is also very popular, and so it may be difficult to even get tickets in the first place.
However, THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA is only closed on Tuesdays, during the New Year holidays, and for scheduled maintenance. That means it’s easy to find a performance day that matches your Osaka sightseeing schedule. So if you’re thinking, “I want to see sumo in Osaka!” this is a great chance for you!
It’s so convenient to plan a trip to Hirakuza that I absolutely recommend it for everyone.
*Please check the official website for information on holidays and regularly scheduled closures.
https://hirakuza.net/sumohall/

If you’ve read this far, you probably want to go to THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA. Let me explain about the seats and prices.

Seating & Prices

There are about 180 seats in total. The purple seats, the ones closest to the stage (sumo ring) are S seats. The green seats are A seats, and the red seats are B seats. There is also balcony seating, BL seats, on the left side. See the floor map, prices, and notes about the seating below.

Seats	Prices	Notes
S seats	¥16,000	Watch sumo up-close from these seats for the biggest thrills
A seats	¥12,500 (Children ¥9,000)	Take in a view of the whole ring sumo
B seats	¥9,500 (Children ¥7,000)	Enjoy the SUMO HALL for a reasonable price
BL seats	¥50,000	Watch the show from the comfort of balcony seating

*All prices include tax.

*All performance tickets include a Hirakuza Bento, a Hirakuza Children’s Bento, or a Hirakuza Snack Bag and one drink.

*The children’s price is for ages 3 to 12 and comes with the Hirakuza Children’s Bento.

*Bento options incur an additional charge: Luxury Bento (+4,000 yen), Halal Bento (+2,000 yen), Vegan Bento (+2,000 yen). *Prices include tax.

*Bento can be reserved up until 10am three days before the show. Afterwards, only the Hirakuza Snack Bag is available.

*Reservations for the Hirakuza Snack Bag will be accepted until 3pm on the day of the performance.

You can purchase tickets from the official website.

https://hirakuza.net/sumohall/tickets/

So that’s it, these are the 7 reasons why I recommend planning a visit to THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA.

Sumo is more than big wrestlers colliding with each other. It’s a culture filled with the Japanese spirit.

Please visit THE SUMO HALL Hirakuza OSAKA to have a unique experience in Japan and spend a wonderful night in Osaka!