| |
| | Ise: Japan's Holiest Shrine |
 | | Despite this illustrious claim, Ise (also known as Iseshima, or Ise Island – though it’s not an island) wasn’t considered anything special until “the august mirror” representing a great Shinto god, Amaterasu, was moved from within the imperial palace walls. |
 | | While Japan usually grooms to a fault, in Geku the forest runs free, untamed streams and fallen leaves in the breeze dominating the ears. |
 | | Ise is good spot to visit any time of year, although fall is most recommended – a very green area gets awful colorful in late October. |
| www.gonomad.com /alternatives/0509/ise.html (1371 words) |
|