I eavesdropped on a tour guide with salt-and-pepper hair explaining that more than 2,000 years ago, Amaterasu-Omikami, the Sun Goddess, explicitly gave orders to two deities, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami and Futsunushi-no-Kami, both gods having to do with swords, to see to it that the Tohoku area got firmly established.
7 perfect picnic spots around the world
Scotch eggs, cheese and wine might sound like the perfect picnic but throw in views of a rose garden, the ocean or a wildebeest stampede and it’ll be extra special
1. Wildlife picnic in Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka
Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka (Ayu in the Wild)
Set your picnic basket down on the banks of the river that flows through Kumana National Park, an hour’s drive from the surfing mecca of Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka’s east coast. As you sip on a flask of masala chai you might spot deer, wild buffalo, elephant or leopard quenching their thirst in the river. Alternatively, lay down a blanket in Kumana Villu – a 202-hectare mangrove swamp where painted storks feed their fledgelings in tree tops and pheasant-tailed jacana splash around floating nests. The area is best explored between April to September, to escape the annual monsoon. The luxury tour operator
Revitalize Your Spirit: Japan s Miyagi Prefecture Offers Destinations to Energize for the New Year
December 16, 2020
Japan commemorates the arrival of a new year during the first three days of January. The most popular tradition is hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the year which is meant to reinvigorate the spirit, bringing good fortune and health. Miyagi Prefecture is well-known for its temples and shrines located in various environments throughout the region. However, for the most efficient hatsumode visit, travelers should take note of the power spots of each temple and shrine since they each have special qualities. Below are some of Miyagi s most popular temples and shrines to visit.