I received tit here in the States.

Excellent!

My innkeeper sent me a link to the website mentioned above that will make the Moss Temple reservation for you. It costs 1,900 yen (currently about $15 US) and is worth it in my opinion. I didn't find it easily when I searched earlier but I just typed in "moss temple reservation" and this time it came right up. If that doesn't work try "reservation help Saihoji Moss Temple". You can't make the reservation earlier than two months in advance, so I haven't done it yet.

I would supply the link here but sounds like we're not supposed to post sites that are commercial on the Forum...

"sounds like we're not supposed to post sites that are commercial on the Forum..." -- My understanding is that you can supply links, as long as they are not to YOUR business.

Aha, thanks kja.

http://www.saihoji-kokedera-reservation.com/about/

So here is the link. The site is "Reservation Help for Saihoji moss garden".

Like I said above, you can only make the reservations about 2 months ahead max. I will do this soon as our trip is in
April.

Hi, I decided to write to the temple myself on 11/21. I collected coinage valued at 200yen from my japanese friends since no one had postage stamps. I had to tape them to the inside of the envelope then sent them off. I received a post card today to my home in Seattle, stating that I had an appointment on 12/25 at 1 pm. I will let you know more after I return from Japan. We leave in 4 days!

Congrats and enjoy!

I'm really glad. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas. Your post made me smile just looking at it!

How wonderful! Cool way to spend Christmas Day for sure! That's great that the monks are so accommodating with replying to those who can't do it the 'official' way.
Enjoy!

I wrote to our hotel concierge (we are going end-Feb) requesting them to help - they so kindly obliged! I now have a reservation waiting at the hotel (for 1.5 months) - it only took a week and no stress!