Japan--Visiting Saihoji (Moss Temple)
 

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

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

Our group is planning to do the same this November. I did send a request and a postcard a few months ago but couldn't put reply postage on it. Now am considering another tactic.

Carolyn, did you receive your postcard back from the Temple with your entrance information? How was the Garden?

<3 Fodorites.

not sure what Kavey means......

Anyway, since the OP has not answered, my suggestion is to do a google search for saihoji reservation - there is a company that seems to make the reservation for people that request their service, at a fee of course - so I will certainly not post their site but it should come up easily. Additionally a TA discussion on the same subject will come up.

I was able to visit Saihoji this spring but I was in Kyoto for an extended period of time so was able to send my ofuku hagaki easily from the local post office. I got my reply within a week - but I was by myself and I did not specify a particular date but a range of days....

Good luck - it was a very enjoyable experience!

Mara, that is one of the things on my list for my next trip to Japan!

kavey is blowing a kiss

Aloha!

I wasn't able to visit Saihoji (much as I would have loved to do so!), but FWIW, there is also a moss garden at Sanzenin in Ohara (an hour or so outside of Kyoto), which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm sure it isn't quite the same, but it might be worth considering if you can't get a reservation for Saihoji:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3955.html

If you tilt your head to the right, you'll see <3 is a love heart. :-)

I would also love to know if Carolyn's tactic worked and if she received a reply and was able to see the temple. If it did, I might try to get some Japanese stamps.Does anyone know how I can send her a message?
Evelyn

It's really worth the effort. What about calling the Granvia Hotel, explaining the problem and seeing if they might act on your behalf? When we did it, we enclosed 10 Japanese yen for postage. They sent it back with the tickets, very gracious.

We got tickets to the Imperial Garden by going in person (WITH PASSPORTS) to the Imperial Palace office as explained above. It worked smoothly, easily and the gardens are lovely.

Great. That is good to know.I have calls in to several Japanese friends who might have some spare small bills lying around that I can buy and send along. I checked out the site of the organization that is responsible for Imperial palace ticket sales. Hopefully we can go there, since we will just be there for 4 days . There is so much to see, I won't be stressing about it, will just give it a try.
cheers,
Evelyn

I picked mine up from local bank with foreign currency. The other don't miss for us in Kyoto was the Philosopher's Walk. We also very much liked ceramics museum (artist's house--I could find name if your guidebook doesn't have it)

I think in another thread I recommended Italian restaurant with Italian trained chef and great pizza (for change) in the shopping center by the train station (i.e. right by your hotel) and the scarf remnants-from-kimonos that can be bought for little at department store there.

I am yearning to return!

Hi cmstraf, those are great ideas. I wanted to ask, now that I am delving into the moss temple reservation situation. Did you get the letter sent back to you in the states or to your guest house in Kyoto? getting it in the states will help us with planning but I don't know if they do that.Philosopher's walk is on our list.
Evelyn