Tokunoshima: Bull Sumo on Subtropical Island

Journeys in Japan

S17E13
June 30, 2026 28 min

Overview

Tokunoshima is a small, semi-tropical island located southwest of Kyushu. Home to many rare species of flora and fauna, it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also famous for its association with sumo wrestling, having produced many professional sumo wrestlers. Not only that, it has a culture of bull sumo, where massive bovines go head-to-head. The whole island gets swept up in the excitement of rousing, non-blood tournaments, which take place three times a year. American actor BT explores this and more.

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