On Wednesday night I was able to visit a great Japanese style bar (Izakaya) in Ryogoku right in front of the Kokugikan or National Sumo Stadium. When you first walk into Hana no Mai, You are immediatly struck by the wide and long hallway that leads to a real Sumo Dohyo or ring. The tables for the place are all around the Dohyo.My co-workers Shiina-san and Hirata-san sat on the corner of the ring and immediately ordered some real cold beers along with brazed Katsuo (Bonito) with ground garlic and dipped in soy sauce. That was my favorite. We also ordered the traditional Sumo meal of Chanko Nabe. Ours was Miso flavored and packed with crab, oysters, and other goodies boiling right on our table.
The evening's entertainment was a group of four Dohyo singers who sang for the crowd. As a present to take home, you could hand the singers you liked a 1000 yen bill pinched in between some chopsticks and they would give you the Banzuke or sheet showing the wrestlers playing in the current tournament at the National Stadium across the street.
The place was just plain fun. Anyone coming to visit Japan needs to see this place for themselves and walk up into the Dohyo!
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