KUMANO, Mie Prefecture--The famed "Shishi-iwa" (Lion ... to be roaring at the Sea of Kumanonada, has regained its fierceness. Its "head" and "mouth" had been overgrown with black pines ...

What a charmer this place is. The Black Lion describes itself as as 'iconic country pub', and though it's but a stone's throw from the roaring Great North Road, you can half believe that claim.

The darker the mane, the older the lion. It’s also a sign of high levels of testosterone, and therefore strength, so a black-maned lion is likely to attract more females. The lion is the only ...