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Hotel Nikko Narita
Back in the day, due to Narita Airport’s location and transport options, it could be cheaper to stay at the Nikko Narita than to go into the city. And so, many transit passengers did. This card was mailed — from USA, not Japan — in 1989, with (US) stamp and postmark. Grade: 4
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Nagano, T Hotel Nagano Ryuoo (set of 4)
These four unused cards from T Hotel Nagano Ryuoo come in a set, and all four appear in our scan. Golf, clouds, monkey, ski … but nothing of the hotel itself. In any case, twin QR Codes on the reverses will no doubt fill you in. Grade: 1
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Osaka, Dotonbori
The caption on the back of this unused, pristine card describes the area better than we could: “Dotonbori is famous for its historic theatres, its shops and restaurants, and its many neon and mechanised signs.” Grade: 1
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Osaka, Tenjin Festival
Unused card, whose English-language caption writer meant well but was not really up to the task. We get the idea that fireworks are part of the festival. Grade: 1
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Osaka Castle
Unused. Grade: 1
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Osaka Castle, night and moon
Unused card. Grade: 1
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Mt. Fuji from Nagao Pass
The Nagao Pass is a mountain pass between Hakone and Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi. It is located on the northwestern section of the Hakone Outer Rim at an elevation of 911m. This card was mailed from Hakone in 1981 with two stamps, full postmark, and a blue bilingual Par Avion chop. Grade: 1
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Mt. Fuji from Taikanzan
Yet another in the innumerable views of this sacred mountain. Taikanzan is on the border of Yugawara and Hakone, allowing magnificent views of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko. It is named after the famous Japanese painter of pre-World War II Japanese art, Taikan Yokoyama, who was said to love painting Mount Fuji. Life imitates art! Mailed in the 1980s with two stamps, full postmark, and light blue bilingual Par Avion chop. Grade: 1
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Ritsurin Park, View of Kikugetsu Arbor
Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園) is a large, historic garden in Takamatsu, completed in 1745 as a private strolling garden and villa for local feudal lords, and opened to the public in 1875. Ritsurin is one of the largest strolling gardens in Japan and a major tourist attraction for Kagawa Prefecture. This larger card was mailed in 1974, with stamp, full postmark, and red air mail chop. A bit of postal bumping in transit. Grade: 2
