Tōgyū is bullfighting of a distinctly Japanese kind: two bulls wrestle each other sumo-style, with no matador, no swords, and no blood. The bulls lock horns and push against each other until one turns and retreats. Handlers stand ready to separate them before any serious injury occurs. It is a spectacle of controlled power and animal stubbornness that is both strange and oddly compelling.
Matches are held on a limited schedule throughout the year — typically six events annually, including January 2nd, the first Sunday of April, July 24th, August 14th, the fourth Sunday of October, and November 3rd. The venue is the Uwajima Tōgyū Stadium. Check the schedule carefully before making plans, as events are sometimes rescheduled. Tickets are available at the gate. The atmosphere is festive and the crowds are knowledgeable; locals take their bull breeding and training seriously.