The temple was originally established as the family temple for the Ashikaga clan during the Kamakura period.
The name 'Hokokuji' is often colloquially referred to as the 'Bamboo Temple' by locals and tourists alike.
The temple grounds contain a small graveyard carved directly into the cliffside, housing the remains of warriors from the Muromachi period.
The bamboo grove contains a specific variety of Moso bamboo, which is the largest species of bamboo in Japan.
The tea house area provides a view of a moss garden that sits beneath the shade of the bamboo canopy.
Hokokuji is one of the few remaining Zen temples in Kamakura that retains its original layout from the 14th century.
The temple's wooden Shaka Nyorai statue was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Hokokuji Temple is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple famous for its grove of over 2,000 Moso bamboo stalks. Founded in 1334 by Tengan Eko, it serves as the family temple of the Ashikaga and Uesugi clans. The grounds feature a small tea house, Kaku-ka-an, where visitors can consume matcha tea while overlooking the bamboo stalks. The temple houses a wooden statue of Shaka Nyorai and a collection of Buddhist artifacts. The bamboo grove creates a distinct natural acoustic environment due to the dense growth of the stalks. A small cave located on the temple grounds contains the grave markers of the Ashikaga clan leaders. The temple is situated in the Jomyoji district, known for its concentration of historic Zen temples.
The bench area inside the tea garden looking upward into the canopy of bamboo stalks.
Arrive early in the morning to experience the bamboo grove before the peak crowds arrive.
Bring cash for the tea service, as digital payment methods are not accepted inside the bamboo garden area.
Follow the designated path strictly to avoid damaging the bamboo shoots.
Do not visit during major Japanese national holidays if you prefer solitude, as the narrow paths become heavily congested.
Closed briefly for year-end and New Year holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume within the temple grounds; do not touch or lean on the bamboo stalks.
