Fukushima Town
Explore Fukushima Town
A One‑of‑a‑Kind
Hometown of Yokozuna Champions
A town that produced two Yokozuna—a master and his disciple
Fukushima Town is the only place in Japan that has produced two Yokozuna—a master and his disciple, Chiyonoyama and Chiyonofuji. At the southern tip of Hokkaido, this coastal community forged their strength through the harsh yet bountiful winds of the Tsugaru Strait and the demanding life of local fishermen. Alongside the history of the Seikan Tunnel, built through one of the world’s most challenging straits, this land has nurtured an unbreakable spirit of perseverance.
Fukushima Town’s sumo culture is more than tradition. It continues to evolve through modern expressions such as the Hokkaido Women‑Only Sumo Tournament, where female wrestlers from across Japan compete fiercely, and the anime Ucchari! inspired by women’s sumo in the town. Combined with the breathtaking Iwabe coastline and exceptional local seafood, Fukushima Town invites you on a one‑of‑a‑kind journey filled with the passion and stories of sumo.
Where Sumo Tradition Meets Anime
A powerful land that shaped Yokozuna history and contemporary culture
Chiyonofuji was born into a family of fishermen, and through helping his father with daily work at sea, he naturally developed exceptional lower‑body strength and muscle power. The harsh yet bountiful natural environment of Fukushima Town is the very foundation that shaped this great Yokozuna. The history of the Seikan Tunnel—carved through one of the world’s most unforgiving straits—also reflects the enduring “strength” and “unyielding spirit” that continue to define this region.
That tradition lives on today in new and expressive forms. At Fukushima Daijingu, the annual Women‑Only Sumo Tournament is held every Mother’s Day, where only women step into the ring—a practice rooted in a 500‑year‑old shrine tradition. In recent years, the anime Ucchari! has brought the excitement of Fukushima Town’s women’s sumo into the world of anime, connecting local heritage with a global audience.
Together with the dramatic coastal scenery of Iwabe and exceptional local seafood, Fukushima Town offers a journey where timeless sumo tradition meets the creative energy of anime—an experience found nowhere else.
ACCESS
Hokkaido Prefecture / Fukushima Town
Flightapprox. 1h 40m
Carapprox. 1h 30m
The Glory and Living Spirit of Two Yokozuna
Memories of the Champions
Artifacts that tell their true legacy
At the Yokozuna Chiyonoyama & Chiyonofuji Memorial Hall, visitors can see the trophies, ceremonial kesho‑mawashi, and even the grand topknot Chiyonofuji had cut at his retirement ceremony—authentic items that vividly recount the achievements of these two legendary Yokozuna. In summer, the hall hosts the training camp of Kokonoe-beya, offering a rare chance to witness powerful early‑morning practice up close.
A short walk from the memorial hall stands Fukushima Daijingu, where the sacred sumo ring used for the annual Women‑Only Sumo Tournament remains preserved. Held every Mother’s Day, this event continues a tradition rooted in the shrine’s 500‑year history. It is a special place where you can feel both the legacy of the two Yokozuna and the living energy of the sumo ring that still thrives today.
Unyielding Determination Beneath the Strait
A monumental achievement carved into the ocean floor
The unwavering spirit behind a century‑defining engineering challenge
The Seikan Tunnel—an engineering feat that took half a century from conception to completion—was driven through the unforgiving seabed of the Tsugaru Strait, overcoming countless obstacles along the way. This century‑defining project stands as a testament to human perseverance, where workers confronted extreme natural conditions and pushed the limits of technology to create a legacy that endures in world history.
The passion and resolve that pierced the bottom of the strait resonate deeply with the spirit of Fukushima Town, the birthplace of two Yokozuna known for their unbreakable will. By exploring the 24‑year saga of this extraordinary construction and the stories of those who faced the harshest environments without backing down, visitors can feel the same strength and fiery determination that continue to pulse through this land.
Encounter Majestic Nature in an Untouched Hidden Sanctuary
The Sea That Nurtured Yokozuna Strength
Crystal‑Blue Waters and Striking Coastal Formations
Explore the untouched beauty of Iwabe Coast, a hidden sanctuary in Fukushima Town that can only be reached by sea. Boarding a small glass‑bottom boat, you’ll journey through a dramatic landscape where seabirds glide overhead and layers of sheer cliffs and fantastically shaped rock formations stretch endlessly along the coastline. The scenery is powerful, mysterious, and overwhelmingly beautiful.
The water visible from the boat is so clear that you can see straight to the bottom, glowing in shades of blue as sunlight filters through the waves. Only small boats can enter the enchanting “Blue Cave,” where the sea and light create a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. In this private and intimate setting, you can fully immerse yourself in the rich, rugged nature of the Tsugaru Strait—the same sea that helped forge the strength of Fukushima Town’s Yokozuna champions.
Enjoy a blissful retreat surrounded by untouched coastal beauty and the deep, invigorating spirit of the northern sea.
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A Journey to the Miraculous Town That Produced Two Yokozuna
Experience a special two‑day trip to Fukushima Town, where the legacies of two legendary Yokozuna, the tradition of women’s sumo, and the creative energy of pop culture come together in a place unlike anywhere else.