Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, better known as TJPW, is one of Japan’s leading women’s professional wrestling promotions.

Founded in 2012 by Sanshiro Takagi, founder of DDT Pro-Wrestling and a star wrestler himself, TJPW held its first event in January 2013. What began with small shows rapidly grew into a major promotion, now holding more than 70 events a year across Japan and internationally.

Although TJPW has operated under the CyberAgent group since 2020, it has never lost its super-creative indie spirit. Even today, TJPW occasionally holds shows in rather unusual venues—sometimes without even having a ring. An aquarium, an office, a children’s bookstore, and, God help us, a Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic bullet train, while running at 177mh, have all received their share of beatings.

That said, it is the unforgettable personalities of the wrestlers, not the venues, that make TJPW truly unique.

There is Miyu Yamashita, a former national-level full-contact karate fighter who can potentially end a match in seconds. On the other hand, you have Raku, whose technique somehow centers around...well, sleeping and appeasement; Mizuki, whose spectacular Whirling Candy is one of TJPW’s most iconic finishers, and whose tiny frame disguises the fact that she began training at 16 and debuted at 17; then Pom Harajuku, completely unhinged "forever 3-years old", who brings total chaos for breakfast; and Yuki Kamifuku, a gorgeous former model who loves slot machines, speaks English, swears a lot in both languages, and somehow makes all of that look sexy.

Hyper Misao was a poet before becoming a superhero to save the world with her bike and pepper spray, often end up leaving more disorder. Wakana Uehara is a professional wrestler, bikini model, and active competitive eater—whatever that means. And Sakura Hattori used to be Kaya Toribami until she found a mysterious ancient ninja mask in Iga City, Japan’s legendary ninja capital. The mask took over her soul, and she is a ninja now. Naturally.

Then, of course, there are the idols.

Up Up Girls (Pro Wrestling) — Miu Watanabe, Raku, Shino and Uta — are both professional wrestlers and an active idol group. They sing, dance, perform live concerts...and wrestle. Miu, in particular, is something of a monster in pink: all smiles, ribbons and a terrifying Giant Swing.

And if you want one story that somehow captures just how far this strange little universe can take someone, meet Yuki Arai.

Yuki Arai came to TJPW in 2021 already a star with SKE48, a nationally known pop idol group. For four years, she pursued two careers at once: idol and professional wrestler. She left SKE48 in spring of 2025 to focus 100% on wrestling—and on March 29, 2026, defeated then-champion Miu Watanabe in a dramatic title match to become the 17th Princess of Princess Champion, holder of TJPW’s top championship.

This is TJPW.

Serious athletes, ridiculous people, idols, superheroes, ninjas, models, sleepers and competitive eaters all somehow coexist in the same ring. A show can move from absurd comedy to an intensely fought championship match—and always end up lifting you up a little.

TJPW first brought a full tour to Texas in July 2025, followed by the first TJPW Texas Stampede in March 2026. And the wrestlers fell in love with Texas. Buc-ee’s and NASA are particular favorites. At this rate, perhaps it is only a matter of time before we have to figure out how to hold a Texas Stampede at one of them—if not both!