The old Kokugikan opened in Meiji 42 (1909) on the grounds of Ekoin Temple, which carries the history of sumo performances since the Edo period. Holding 13,000 people, it was the largest permanent sumo arena of its time, designed by Tatsuno Kingo and Kasai Manji, famous for designing the Bank of Japan head office and Tokyo Station. As Japan's first domed steel-frame building, it was also called the "Daitessan" (Great Iron Umbrella). At its opening its official name was the Ryogoku Motomachi Permanent Hall, but from the following year the name Kokugikan took hold. After opening, it was also used as an event hall for chrysanthemum doll festivals, lectures, and more. The building was damaged by a fire in Taisho 6 (1917), the Great Kanto Earthquake in Taisho 12 (1923), and the Great Tokyo Air Raid in Showa 20 (1945), but was repaired each time and remained in use until it was demolished due to aging in Showa 58 (1983). However, its role as a permanent sumo arena ended with the autumn tournament of Showa 21 (1946), held as Yokozuna Futabayama's retirement ceremony; afterward it was called Memorial Hall and used as a venue for combat sports such as pro wrestling and boxing. From Showa 33 (1958) it was also used as the Nihon University Auditorium. After the old Kokugikan was demolished, local residents worked hard to bring back the official tournaments, which had moved to the Kuramae Kokugikan in Taito Ward, and the current Ryogoku Kokugikan opened in January Showa 60 (1985). The site of the old Kokugikan is now a commercial complex, and in its courtyard the position of the former dohyo (sumo ring) is marked with tiles.

A few minutes' walk from Ryogoku Station, in the courtyard of the Ryogoku City Core Building next to Ekoin Temple, there's a circular mark showing where the old Kokugikan's dohyo once stood. The old Kokugikan, built in Meiji 42 (1909), was located here. At the time it was a domed Western-style building boasting a capacity of 13,000 people, affectionately known as the "Daitessan" (Great Iron Umbrella). Construction cost 280,000 yen (about 7.5 billion yen in today's value); it burned three times up to the Great Tokyo Air Raid, and after the war it was requisitioned by the US military before being used as the Nihon University Auditorium. Until it was demolished in Showa 58 (1983), it etched the history of sumo on this spot. Today it's a high-rise building, but the circle in the courtyard lets you recall days gone by.