Known as the Bamboo Temple, Hokokuji features a breathtaking grove of 2,000 moso bamboo shoots. Visitors can enjoy matcha green tea in a pavilion overlooking the bamboo garden — one of Kamakura's most serene experiences.
Hokokuji Temple, known colloquially as the Bamboo Temple (Take-dera), is a Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1334 in Kamakura's Jomyoji neighbourhood, Kanagawa Prefecture. While the temple complex includes a well-tended Zen garden, grave monuments, and a main hall dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha, its singular draw is the bamboo grove behind the main hall — approximately 2,000 moso bamboo shoots rising 10 to 12 metres in a dense stand that filters light into a pale green luminescence unlike anything else in the Kamakura area.
Entry to the temple grounds (¥300) includes access to the bamboo grove via a stone-paved path that winds through the interior. The circuit takes 15 to 20 minutes, but the experience of standing inside the grove — where the sound of wind through the canopy and the creak of stems creates a natural meditative soundscape — is disproportionate to the compact space. A timber tea pavilion at the grove's edge serves matcha green tea with a Japanese sweet (¥600); this pairing of bamboo scenery and ceremonial tea is Hokokuji's defining visitor experience and widely regarded as one of Kamakura's most atmospheric moments.
The walk from Kamakura Station to Hokokuji takes approximately 25 minutes on foot through residential streets and the smaller Jomyoji district temples. A local bus from Kamakura Station also stops near the entrance. The temple's distance from the main tourist strip in central Kamakura keeps visitor numbers noticeably lower than at more famous sites such as Kencho-ji or Hasedera.
Weekday mornings between opening at 09:00 and approximately 10:30 are the temple's quietest hours; the bamboo grove can feel genuinely contemplative. Weekend afternoons see heavier foot traffic on the narrow grove path. Photography is freely permitted throughout the grounds.
Location
35.3224, 139.5725 View on map
Highlights
- 2,000-bamboo grove
- Matcha tea in the garden (600 JPY)
- Tranquil atmosphere
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a weekday morning for maximum serenity. Combine with nearby Sugimoto-dera Temple.
When to visit
Weekday mornings are the most serene; the bamboo canopy creates its most atmospheric even-green glow on overcast days when diffused light softens the shadows.
Accessibility
Partial; bamboo path has uneven stones
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Hokokuji take?
The bamboo grove circuit takes 15 to 20 minutes. Adding matcha tea in the garden pavilion and a brief exploration of the temple buildings brings the total to about 1 hour.
Is photography allowed in the bamboo grove?
Yes. Photography throughout the grove is permitted and encouraged. Visitors with tripods should be considerate of others on the narrow path, particularly at busier times.
Is the tea experience worth it?
The matcha and sweet in the pavilion overlooking the bamboo (¥600) is generally considered excellent value for the setting. It significantly enhances the atmosphere compared to a quick walk-through and is one of Kamakura's most distinctive experiences.