Two years ago I made arrangements for a trip to Japan, and ended up canceling it because of the earthquake. At that time, I made a reservation to visit Saihoji in Kyoto by writing them and enclosing an international reply coupon. I'm now planning our trip for this coming May, but it looks as though USPS is no longer issuing the coupons, as of a month ago! I guess my only alternative is to ask that the reply be sent to my hotel (we're planning on staying at the Gran Via), but holding a postcard for us for two months is a lot to ask of the hotel. On the other hand, I can't expect the monks to pay the US postage. Is there any way to buy Japanese stamps here? If I wait until closer to the trip to write, how likely is it that we'll get an appointment to visit? (I struck out on the lottery for visiting the Katsura Imperial Villa, so missing Saihoji would be particularly disappointing.) Can anybody suggest a fix for this? (By the way, Kyoto is our first stop on the trip and we're planning on being there a full two weeks, if that helps.)
Carolyn
Japan--Visiting Saihoji (Moss Temple)
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i would think that one of the big stamp collectors vendors would have current stamps
Not that it helps for the Moss Temple, but I was told by a friend visiting Kyoto in December that you can go directly to the Imperial Household Office and get a reservation for the Imperial Villas in the next week....
Mara, thanks, that's a good idea--it's certainly worth a try. rhkkmk, I did a preliminary search for stamps online but I need to know more about Japanese stamps. I've discovered there are some beautiful stamps out there for collectors--and they can be really expensive! I need uncanceled stamps, obviously, and in fairly small amounts. On the letter the temple sent two years ago, the denominations are 50, 50, and 10 (can that really be yen?). The coupon I sent them cost about $2. Not that I'd mind paying extra, but I'm not seeing what I'd need.
Carolyn
What exact stamps do you need? I have a few 70 yen stamps.
Icuy, you're so very kind! I'm not sure what the current postage would be--two years ago they put 110 yen worth of stamps on the envelope. I could maybe enclose 3 70-yen stamps to make sure it was covered. How would we work this? I would want to pay you (or maybe bring stamps home to send you).
Carolyn
email me at fodoraddict at aol dot com with your address and I'll put them in tomorrow's mail. You can send me a two dollar bill or something later!
I just sent the e-mail. You're the greatest--really. I can't thank you enough.
Carolyn