Grand Sumo- Thrills and spills on jungyo toursーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Sumo's top stars travel around Japan between tournaments. These tours are called jungyo. In March and April, jungyo usually take place in western and central areas, as well as greater Tokyo. So, what happens on these special tours? I went to find out in Yokohama, just south of the capital. Doors have just opened, and you can see all these people swarming into the venue to get a sneak peek of the rikishi up close. This really is a treat. I couldn't get tickets for the main tournament, so I came here instead. I think it's lovely that this is a way for people to stay connected to this, who can't go to the national tournaments, who aren't in the right areas to do that. So I think this is a beautiful way to do it. About 8,000 fans pack the venue. This really is the perfect opportunity to get really close to the rikishi. The event begins with a practice session. Some of the wrestlers warmed up right in front of the spectators. This woman got an autograph from her favorite, Sadanomi. He was cool and very gentle. Tobizaru always draws a crowd. He even translated his name for us into English. Junkyo are the perfect setting for fans and wrestlers to interact. They also offer the wrestlers a chance to stretch their vocal cords. They sing to express their gratitude for the local support. And the wrestlers even get to flex their kamek muscles. This performance is called shokkiri. It's a show of what not to do in the ring, such as kicking or grabbing the top knot. What's more, fans get to glimpse what normally goes on behind the scenes. Yokozuna wear a special rope called tsuna for rituals. Here, Houshou-ryu is having his adjusted. I was amazed so many people are involved. Seeing them work together was kind of cute. The event also gives children the opportunity to be held by a wrestler. Sumo wrestlers are good luck figures, so I hope my child grows strong like Ura. And of course, the wrestlers lock horns. But unlike at championships where promotions and trophies are at stake, winning at a jun-gyo isn't always the priority. Houshou-ryu brings the day to a close with his arch-rival, Ozeki Otozakura. It was super entertaining and enjoyable and memorable. It was great seeing the rikishi having so much fun. Regular tournaments can be tense. Jun-gyo are a chance to see the wrestlers practice and be playful. The friendly atmosphere is what makes it so fun. It had been a while since I last went to a jun-gyo, and I enjoyed every moment. These tours keep the wrestlers busy, but at the same time, I feel the bonds they build with the fans are a great source of energy. In summer, jun-gyo typically take place in northern Japan. In fall, they usually head west. And in winter, south. But that's not all. After the upcoming contest in May, many top-tier wrestlers will hold an exhibition tournament in Paris. I'm Raja Pradhan. Vive le sumo!