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Photo: Steve Cadman, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The largest sumo arena in Japan with a capacity for 10,000 spectators, this is where grand tournaments or basho are held in January, May and September, starting on the second Sunday of the month. These tournaments last for 15 days, and are filled with ceremony and ritual which observe strict hierarchies not just for the wrestlers, but also for the referees and callers. The competition each day begins around 09:00 with the amateurs, and from there, wrestlers compete in progressing order of seniority. The professional wrestlers start around 14:35, but the excitement begins when the top division makuuchi (幕内) enter the ring in the dohyō-iri (土俵入り) ceremony at 15:50. The tournament culminates when the high-rank yokozuna (横綱) and ozeki (大関) have their bouts, around 18:00. If you have seats far from the ring, but arrive early, it is possible to borrow some seats close to the ring until mid-afternoon, when most spectators begin to arrive. English pamphlets describing the day's program and sumo in general are available, and radios with live English commentary can be rented. Food is available inside, at somewhat inflated prices. There are now signs prohibiting you from bringing in outside food and drink, but enforcement is spotty.
Ryōgoku Kokugikan , also known as Ryōgoku Sumo Hall or Kokugikan Arena, refers to two different indoor sporting arenas located in Tokyo. The first Ryōgoku Kokugikan opened its doors in 1909 and was located on the premises of the Ekōin temple in Ryōgoku, Tokyo. Although no sumo bouts were held after 1945, following the capitulation of Japan and the requisition of the building by the occupying forces, the building itself remained active until 1983, being notably used by the Nihon University. The second Ryōgoku Kokugikan is currently located in the Yokoami neighborhood of Sumida next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It opened in 1985, following the closure of the Kuramae Kokugikan, and is still in use today.
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相撲博物館, sumō hakubutsukan
A small, quirky museum tucked inside the arena's first floor, dedicated to the history of sumo, particularly artifacts and ceremonial clothing, almost entirely in Japanese only. The collection rotates several times a year. During sumo tournaments, it is open daily, but only to tournament ticket holders.
刀剣博物館
Display of all types of Japanese art swords and fittings, some of them centuries old. Beautiful view from balcony on 3rd floor over Kyū Yasuda Garden. Quite hefty entrance fee, but a must see for anyone interested in Japanese swords.
江戸東京博物館 Edo-Tōkyō-hakubutsukan
This bizarre multi-story edifice suspended in midair and bearing not a small resemblance to a Star Wars Imperial Walker (meant to be a replica of an old raised warehouse) covers the history of the metropolis, starting from 1590 when it was selected as Japan's new capital Edo, all the way through the Kanto earthquake and firebombings of World War II. The museum is built with the latest technology including life-size replicas of entire buildings and the Nihombashi Bridge. Free informative tours are available in several languages, depending on which volunteers are around; audio guides in several languages always available. Pair it up with a visit to the more intimately sized Fukagawa Edo Museum in nearby Kōtō ward, just a couple of stops away on the Toei Ōedo subway line.
両国花火資料館 ryōgoku hanabi shiryōkan
たばこと塩の博物館 Tabako to Shio no Hakubutsukan
This peculiar institution owes its existence to Japan's government monopoly on these two substances. The website advises that "dangerous substances are not permitted within the museum". They have map-guides of the museum in English and most exhibits have English translations. There is a free mobile-app based auto tour as well.
東京スカイツリー
Completed in 2012, Tokyo Skytree stands tall over the old Sumida ward as the newest symbol of Tokyo and the world's tallest self-supporting tower at 634 m. It is the primary location from which digital television broadcast signals in Tokyo are transmitted. The tower's LED lighting system uses a different color scheme every night. The Skytree is complemented by a shopping complex, Tokyo Solamachi (Tokyo Skytree Town).