What are the 8 macro-regions of Japan featured on JapanJoy?

JapanJoy features all 8 official macro-regions of Japan: Kanto (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba), Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara), Chubu (Mount Fuji, Nagoya, Takayama), Hokkaido (Sapporo, Otaru), Tohoku (Sendai, Aomori), Chugoku (Hiroshima, Miyajima), Shikoku (Matsuyama, Tokushima), and Kyushu & Okinawa (Fukuoka, Naha).

What cultural etiquette rules should travelers follow when visiting Japanese shrines and onsens?

At Shinto shrines, perform the Temizuya purification ritual (wash left hand, right hand, rinse mouth, tilt ladle). Follow the 'two bows, two claps, one bow' protocol. At Onsen hot springs, always wash thoroughly with soap and water before entering bath pools; never immerse towels in the hot spring water. On Shinkansen bullet trains, keep phones on silent manner mode and refrain from loud conversations.

What is Joy AI and how can it plan my trip to Japan?

Joy AI is an intelligent travel assistant integrated into JapanJoy. It crafts custom day-by-day itineraries tailored to your duration, traveler type, budget in Japanese Yen (JPY ¥), Shinkansen transit routes, and travel interests across all 47 prefectures.

Is JapanJoy affiliated with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)?

No. JapanJoy is an independent AI-powered digital travel guide and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), or the Japanese Government.

Grand Sumo Wrestling Heritage at Ryogoku Kokugikan

Sumo is far more than a heavyweight combat sport; it is a sacred, living Shinto religious rite dating back over 1,500 years, originally staged at shrines to entertain the divine spirits (Kami) and pray for bountiful rice harvests. Contested upon an elevated ring of compacted clay (Dohyo) beneath a suspended wooden Shinto shrine roof (Tsuriyane), colossal wrestlers (Rikishi) toss handfuls of purifying white salt into the air and perform thunderous Shiko leg stomps to drive evil spirits deep into the earth. Tokyo’s historic Ryogoku district is the undisputed heartland of the sumo universe. Anchoring the area is the monumental Ryogoku Kokugikan national arena, accommodating over 11,000 spectators for the prestigious 15-day Grand Sumo Tournaments (Honbasho) held thrice annually in January, May, and September. The neighborhood is dotted with traditional residential training stables (Sumo-beya) where disciples live under ascetic feudal discipline, rising at dawn to spar and wearing formal topknot hairstyles (Chonmage). Outside of tournament months, visitors to Ryogoku can arrange guided viewings of dawn stable training sessions (Asa-geiko), explore the complimentary Sumo Museum inside the arena, and feast on hearty cauldrons of Chankonabe—the protein-packed chicken, seafood, and vegetable stew that fuels wrestler physiques. Located just 1 minute on foot from JR Ryogoku Station.