[1909 1] The second Ryōgoku Kokugikan is currently located in the Yokoami neighborhood of Sumida next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

The growing popularity of Sumo during the Meiji period led to the building of the original Kokugikan in Ryōgoku.

In March 1906, the 22nd Imperial Diet decided to build an indoor sumo facility within the precincts of the Ekōin temple in Ryōgoku.

Home of Martial Arts) by the founding committee chairman Itagaki Taisuke, the building took the name of Kokugikan (lit.

The building of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan consecrated the evolution of Sumo from a Shinto ritual to a national sport.

[1909 5] Three years later, in September 1923, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan was destroyed in the Great Kantō earthquake[1909 6] and tournaments had to be held at the Butokuden lot in Nagoya.

[1909 4] In March 1945, an air raid over Tokyo damaged the Ryōgoku Kokugikan and the surrounding sumo stables.

[1909 7] After the war, the Kokugikan was occupied by the allies forces and the budo ban[1] was enforced, preventing tournaments until November.

As the arena was requisitioned by the allies, the Kokugikan undergone a new phase of restoration and was renamed Ryogoku Memorial Hall.

[1909 11] Due to aging equipment, notably failing to meet fire protection regulations, the building was dismantled in 1983.

After the demolition, the complex building facility "Ryogoku City Core" and other offices, residences, and restaurants were built.

Considering a move to the location of a defunct freight rail yard next to Ryōgoku Station, the Japan Sumo Association began to hold consultations with the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in June 1977.

Faced with large deficits at the time, JNR was receptive to the idea of selling the property, aided by its belief that if the new Kokugikan was built next to the station, the number of passengers served would increase.

The move to Ryōgoku was decided in 1980, and in March 1982, a land purchase contract was concluded between JNR and the Sumo Association.

[1985 3] As the project to build a new arena progressed, the overall picture of a Kokugikan which made full use of modern technology was solidified.

The ring and the square seats on the first floor are movable and can be stored for multi-purpose use, so that they can be used effectively outside the 45 days of the annual sumo competition.

The arena also includes a number of dedicated venues such as the Sumo Museum, restaurants or a banquet hall for chankonabe tasting.

Information desk, also called Chaya-dori: Tea House Street), a flower-theme decorated corridor for souvenirs buying.

[1985 6] Now under the control of the Japan Sumo Association, the cha-ya were originally independent named teahouses that sold tickets and refreshments to their customers.

Attendants (called dekata) dressed in attire that resembles a yobidashi, guide patrons to their seats and supply them with refreshments in exchange of a tip.

It takes the form of a festival where traditional jungyo activities are performed (sumo wrestlers songs, yokozuna's tsuna exhibition, makuuchi bouts).

[1985 1] Paul McCartney performed a concert at the venue as part of his world tour "Freshen Up" on November 5, 2018.

The Toei Subway Ōedo Line platforms lie in a north–south axis directly underneath Kiyosumi Street to the east of the arena.