Ticket sales for day 1 a the Kkan-worst ever

[Kintamayama]

Since its opening in 1985, tomorrow's first day advance ticket sale are the worst ever- 4585 tickets left. The worst till now was Aki 2005 with 3710 tickets left. "There are extremely few foreign fans buying tickets in advance," said Matsuchiyama Oyakata, the man in charge, seemingly blaming the sharp decrease in foreign tourists since the nuclear accident. "We've had our problems with the yaocho sandal etc. Add the fact that people from the disaster affected areas don't have watching sumo at the top of their priority list at the moment, and there really is nothing we can do about it," said other Oyakatas in charge.

[Kotoviki]

And lots of people I know including Japanese don't want to go if they can't sit on the first floor until say 2pm... they rather just stay home and watch TV. I feel the same way...

[Jejima]

"We've had our problems with the yaocho sandal....."

It's the one on the right....

Edited September 10, 2011 by Jejima

[Jakusotsu]

"There are extremely few foreign fans buying tickets in advance," said Matsuchiyama Oyakata, the man in charge, seemingly blaming the sharp decrease in foreign tourists since the nuclear accident.

Very cute. Instead of making pre-ordering easier for foreigners (it's still just a nihongo phone line, right?) they now put the blame on us. And Viki is right on the money, of course. If I'm not able to sit close to the action for the lower divisions with my 15-days general admission ticket, there's no appeal to attend again any time soon.

[Asashosakari]

"There are extremely few foreign fans buying tickets in advance," said Matsuchiyama Oyakata, the man in charge, seemingly blaming the sharp decrease in foreign tourists since the nuclear accident.

Very cute. Instead of making pre-ordering easier for foreigners (it's still just a nihongo phone line, right?) they now put the blame on us. And Viki is right on the money, of course. If I'm not able to sit close to the action for the lower divisions with my 15-days general admission ticket, there's no appeal to attend again any time soon.

You could always go to one of the regional basho, as long as those manage to evade the application of similar restrictions at least.

[Treblemaker]

Since its opening in 1985, tomorrow's first day advance ticket sale are the worst ever- 4585 tickets left. The worst till now was Aki 2005 with 3710 tickets left. "There are extremely few foreign fans buying tickets in advance," said Matsuchiyama Oyakata, the man in charge, seemingly blaming the sharp decrease in foreign tourists since the nuclear accident. "We've had our problems with the yaocho sandal etc. Add the fact that people from the disaster affected areas don't have watching sumo at the top of their priority list at the moment, and there really is nothing we can do about it," said other Oyakatas in charge.

Not really surprising, given who's not on the upper lineup anymore, but I'll bet that the last 4 days are sell-outs. Especially if there's a good yusho race and the Seki's are in top form.

Edited September 11, 2011 by Treblemaker

[Otokonoyama]

The sumo association was quoted as saying that sometimes foreign groups take up 40% of seats, and that the absence of tourists is the reason for sluggish ticket sales. Seems like a rather inflated figure...

[Kintamayama]

Final tally- 3709 tickets left.

[Zenjimoto]

I think foreign fans are just fed up with there being no Japanese Yokozuna and Ozeki, and the sport/entertainment being dominated by Gaijin! (In a state of confusion...)

[ilovesumo]

I would say it wa 3\5 full at musubi no ichiban...

[Pikenoyama]

Final tally- 3709 tickets left.

Just by a chance? ;-)