Mount Fuji | Japan

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Mt Fuji is Japan's highest mountain at 3,776m. It is also one of the traditional "Three Holy Mountains" - along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, both located in central Japan. The dormant volcano, which last erupted just over 300 years ago, is visible from Tokyo on a clear day.

Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Nijō-jō (Nijo Castle) | Japan

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Known as the Kyoto residence of the famous leader Tokugawa Ieyasu (the first shogun of the Edo Period), Nijō Castle is a stronghold that represents the prestige and power of the mighty leader known as the unifier of Japan. The castle dates back to the early 17th century.

The temple is part of the Unesco WHS, inscribed as “The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)”. This site consist of seventeen parts that are situated in Kyoto and surroundings.

1. Byodo-in
2. Daigo-ji
3. Enryaku-ji
4. Hongan-ji
5. Jisho-ji
6. Kamomioya-jinja (Shimogamo Shrine)
7. Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja (Kamigamo shrine)
8. Kiyomizu-dera
9. Kozan-ji
10. Kyo-o-gokoku-ji (To-ji)
11. Nijo-jo
12. Ninna-ji
13. Rokuon-ji  (Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion)
14. Ryoan-ji
15. Saiho-ji
16. Tenryu-ji
17. Ujigami-jinja

Kamigamo Shrine | Japan

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Kamigamo Shrine is an important Shinto sanctuary on the banks of the Kamo River in north Kyoto. It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, first founded in 678.

The shrine is part of the Unesco WHS, inscribed as “The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)”. This site consist of seventeen parts that are situated in Kyoto and surroundings.

Enryaku-ji Temple | Japan

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Located in Kyoto's eastern mountain range on Mount Hieizan, Enryaku-ji is one of the most important monasteries in Japanese history and the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Enryaku-ji was founded in 788 by Saicho, the monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism from China into Japan.

The temple is part of the Unesco WHS, inscribed as “The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)”. This site consist of seventeen parts that are situated in Kyoto and surroundings.

Chūson-ji Temple | Japan

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Chūson-ji (中尊寺) is a Buddhist temple in the town of Hiraizumi in southern Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The temple was founded in 850.

Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Shirakami Sanchi | Japan

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Shirakami Sanchi refers to the massive 130,000ha mountainous land extended over Aomori and Akita prefecture in the Tōhoku region of northern Honshū, Japan. This mountainous area includes the last virgin forest of Siebold's beech which once covered most of northern Japan.

Shirakami-Sanchi is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hōryū-ji Temple | Japan

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Hōryū-ji is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Dating back to the year 711, the temple's pagoda is widely acknowledged to be the oldest wooden building existing in the world.

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The property consists of forty-eight ancient wooden structures located at the two temples sites: Horyu-ji Area and Hokki-ji Area.

Tōdai-ji Temple | Japan

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Tōdai-ji, meaning Eastern Great Temple, is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha, known in Japanese as Daibutsu.

The temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.

Shirakami-Sanchi | Japan

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Shirakami Sanchi refers to the massive 130,000ha mountainous land extended over Aomori and Akita prefecture in the Tōhoku region of northern Honshū, Japan. This mountainous area includes the last virgin forest of Siebold's beech which once covered most of northern Japan.

Shirakami-Sanchi is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Oura Cathedral | Japan

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Oura Cathedral is a wooden church of Gothic architecture. It was built in 1864 by a French missionary, and was thus known by the people of Nagasaki at the time as the “French Temple”.

Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Shiretoko National Park | Japan

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Shiretoko National Park covers most of the Shiretoko Peninsula at the northeastern tip of the island of Hokkaidō, Japan. It is one of the most remote regions in Japan, much of the peninsula is only accessible on foot or by boat.

Shiretoko is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tokyo Tower | Japan

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Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower. At 333 metres the second-tallest structure in Japan. The design of the tower was clearly inspired by the Eiffel Tower. It is the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower.

Takayama Matsuri | Japan

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The Takayama Festivals (Takayama Matsuri) are held every spring and fall in Takayama, Japan. These festivals are famous for the large ornate floats, or yatai, which roam around the city at night. The floats date back to the 17th century, and are decorated with intricate carvings of gilded wood and detailed metal-work.

Takayama is one of the 33 Float Festivals added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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International Letter Writing week.

thx Gian Luca!

Flags of the World | Japan

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Japan is often referred to as the Land of the Rising Sun. So it is probably no surprise that the Japanese flag represents the sun.

The sun has important religious and mythological significance in the country. Local beliefs suggest that Amaterasu, the sun goddess, is a direct ancestor of the Emperors of Japan.

Huis Ten Bosch | Japan

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Huis Ten Bosch (ハウステンボス Hausu Ten Bosu) is located in Sasebo city in Japan. This special theme park models Holland in the Middle Ages with complete replicas of Dutch buildings, streets, boats and windmills. The park is named after Huis ten Bosch, one of the three official residences of the Dutch Royal Family.

Tomioka Silk Mill | Japan

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Established in 1872, the Tomioka Silk Mill is Japan's first, modern silk factory for processing silkworm cocoons into raw silk. The mill was built as a model factory by the Japanese government with the help of French specialists to improve the quality of silk produced in Japan through the use of modern machines and advanced working conditions for its workers. It was part of far-reaching efforts by the government of the Meiji Period to modernize Japan and catch up to the West.

Tomioka Silk Mill is part of the Unesco World Heritage site inscribed  under the name ‘Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining’.

Hagi Castle Town | Japan

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Hagi Castle Town is part of the Unesco World Heritage site inscribed  under the name ‘Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining’.

A group of sites that played an important part in the industrialization of Japan from the middle of the 19th century to the early 20th century.

National Museum of Western Art | Japan

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The National Museum of Western Art is the famed architect's only built project in the far east. It remains open today and houses the work of significant western artists including Rodin, Manet, Picasso and Pollock. The Museum is located in the museum and zoo complex in Ueno Park in Taito, central Tokyo. 

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (1887 – 1965), known as Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer, and one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture.

In 2016 UNESCO added the building to its list of significant architectural and historical sites, along with 16 other Le Corbusier projects. 

Takashima Coal mine | Japan

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Takashima Coal Mine is part of the Unesco World Heritage site inscribed  under the name ‘Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining’. A group of sites that played an important part in the industrialization of Japan from the middle of the 19th century to the early 20th century.

Coal was needed in vast quantities for the Industrial Revolution. Located on Takashima Island, the Takashima Coal mine was Japan’s First Steam Engine-Powered Shaft Mine. The first Japanese coal mine that worked with western technology. The postcard shows the open collar of Hokkei Pit. 

Tokyo, capital of Japan

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Tokyo is both the capital and most populous city of Japan, with over 13 million inhabitants. 

What makes the ‘perfect capital city card’ ? In my opinion a proper view of the city with name of the city on the foreground. So this card matches my criteria pretty much. But.. on closer inspection the card shows 'only' Nishi-Shinjuku, a skyscraper business district in Tokyo. Not sure if this is the 'best representation' of the city.

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International-letter-writing-week-stamp 2013.