[:ja]西芳寺，是京都17个世界遗产之一，属日本临济宗天龙寺派，位于京都市西京区松尾神韹谷町，山号洪隐山，里面有多达120种的苔类，所以又名苔寺 。

西芳寺的庭园最为著名。其庭园分为上、下两段，上段庭园为枯山水式庭园，下段则为池泉回游式庭园，四季都有青绿色的苔藓，秋季映衬着红叶，冬季映衬着白雪，可以说是四季都值得去观赏。

但是，要想参观西芳寺并不容易，因为人的体温会影响苔藓的生长，该寺每日限制参拜人数，且参拜金额高达三千日币，堪称京都寺庙中数一数二者。需至少提前一周，以手写往返明信片预约。

[:en]Saihoji Temple(西芳寺, Saihōji),  is one of Kyoto World Heritage Sites. Because of more than 120 different varieties of moss, Saihoji Temple is commonly known as Kokedera, the temple of moss.

Besides of moss, Saihoji temple is famous of it’s garden. It worth visiting at every season. However, it is not easy to visit Saihoji Temple. The body temperature of human has great influence on those moss so Saihoji Temple implement a small-group visiting system, with reservations made through postcard (or regular mail for visitors from abroad).

Here is the instruction for the reservation :

1. Send a request by postal mail to the temple with your name, the number of people in your group, the name and address of your “group representative” and the preferred and possible date(s) of visit, as well as a self-addressed, stamped return postcard. A template request form can be downloaded from the temple’s official website. Reservations are accepted from two months before the intended date of visit.
2. Visitors applying from outside of Japan can make use of an International Reply Coupon, available from post offices in some countries. The application has to reach the temple at least three weeks before the intended date of visit.Visitors applying from inside Japan should use a special return postcard called an “ofuku hagaki” that is available from post offices. It comes in a set of two postcards, one of which is used by the receiving party to reply. The application has to reach the temple at least one week before the intended date of visit, but more time is recommended especially during busy seasons.
3. A reply indicating your reservation date and time will be sent to you by the temple on your self-addressed return postcard.

For further information, please visit Saihoji’s homepage:  http://saihoji-kokedera.com/en/reservation.html

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