Bulls and handlers facing off in the bullfighting ring
Uwajima Bullfighting “New Year Tournament”: One-tonne bulls clash in the ring to welcome the new year
The regular bullfighting tournament “New Year Tournament” will be held on January 2, 2027, at the Uwajima City Bullfighting Arena in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture. Watch one-tonne-class bulls face off in a ring approximately 20 metres in diameter, as the handlers’ calls and the sound of horns colliding ring out at this New Year event.
- Venue
- Uwajima City Bullfighting Arena
- Admission & participation
- Admission prices for regular bullfighting tournaments as listed in the official information. Check the latest official information for ticket conditions for the 2027 New Year Tournament.
HIGHLIGHTS
Event highlights
Follow the action in the ring through its sounds and techniques
The venue is a domed bullfighting arena on a low hill. The bulls’ breathing, the handlers’ high-pitched calls and the dull sound of horns colliding are said to echo through the building. Along with the action in front of you, listen to the sounds filling the arena to get a sense of the tension between the bulls.
There is no time limit: the bulls fight, and the one that retreats loses. Unlike timed competitions, you can follow the flow of each bout by watching which bull gains ground and how the balance of the contest shifts.
Uwajima bullfighting techniques are divided into 10 categories, and each bull has its own strong points, according to the official website. You don’t need to know the names of the techniques: watch how the bulls move after locking horns and how their positions change to spot the differences between bouts.
Regular bullfighting tournaments are held four times a year, with the “New Year Tournament” marking the first event of the year. The official website traces the origins of bullfighting here to the late 17th century, when fishermen from Fukuura rescued a Dutch ship adrift in the Uwa Sea. The two bulls given to them in gratitude then fought one another. Enjoy the action in the ring alongside this history, passed down through the local community.
Get ready to watch: check the unreserved seating and ticket options
The tournament runs from 12:00 to around 14:00, and the doors open at 10:00. All seats are unreserved. Plan your arrival by noting the difference between when the venue opens and when the bouts begin.
Admission to regular tournaments is ¥2,500 in advance or ¥3,000 on the day for adults and high school students. Admission is free for junior high school students and younger; groups of 15 or more pay ¥2,500 per person. A discounted rate of ¥2,000 is available for people aged 65 and over and for people with disabilities who present their disability certificate.
Advance ticket sales and reservations open at different times for each tournament, generally around one month before the event. The official website states that online ticket reservations ended from the May 2026 tournament, and that general advance tickets for high school students and older are sold at FamilyMart. Silver and disability-discount tickets are available at participating locations in the city, and all ticket types are also sold at the venue on the day. Check the latest official information for the sale dates and purchasing options for the 2027 New Year Tournament.
Food and drink are allowed in the arena, and there is also a shop. The official information says that a free round-trip shuttle bus operates on regular tournament days. Check the latest information before setting out for details of the service in 2027 and other travel arrangements for the day.
EVENT INFORMATION
Dates & participation
Official title定期闘牛大会「正月場所」
| Dates | 2027-01-02 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Uwajima City Bullfighting Arena |
| Admission and participation | Check the official information |
| Address |
Fees & admission details
Admission to regular bullfighting tournaments
- Adults and high school students (advance ticket)
- ¥2,500
- Adults and high school students (same-day ticket)
- ¥3,000
- Junior high school students and younger
- Free
- Groups of 15 or more (per person)
- ¥2,500
- Seniors (age 65 and over)
- ¥2,000
- People with disabilities (disability certificate required)
- ¥2,000
- Advance ticket sales and reservations open at different times for each tournament; sales are generally scheduled to begin around one month before the event.
Hours, admission rules, and ticket availability are subject to change. Please check the official website before heading out.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE & TICKETS
Official website & tickets
Official event websitewww.tougyu.comACCESS
How to get there
Step-by-step guide
What to check before you go
- 01
Check which tickets suit your group
Adults and high school students pay ¥2,500 in advance or ¥3,000 on the day. Admission is free for junior high school students and younger, and group and discounted rates are also available. Sale dates vary by tournament.
- 02
Check the opening and bout times
The doors open at 10:00, and the bouts run from 12:00 to around 14:00. All seats are unreserved.
- 03
Check the latest travel information
The official information mentions a free round-trip shuttle bus on regular tournament days. Check the latest information for details of the 2027 service.
Detailed access info
For the venue’s exact location and directions, please check the official event information.
Uwajima City Bullfighting Arena
Google Maps search result for the venue name. Please also check official sources for the address, specific hall/room, and entrance location.