Hokoku-ji, Kamakura Bamboo Temple

East of Kamakura, nestled in a green setting, the Hokoku-ji temple seduces travelers seeking peace and nature. Nicknamed the bamboo temple, it houses a dense and soothing bamboo grove, a Zen garden, as well as a tea salon where one can enjoy a matcha while contemplating the slender stems. This comprehensive guide will help you organize your visit and take full advantage of this iconic place.

Kamakura : Complete guide to discover this historic city

Presentation and history of the temple

Founded in 1334, Hokoku-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Rinzai School. Originally built as a family temple of a samurai clan, it went through centuries despite earthquakes and reconstructions. While some buildings were rebuilt after the Kanto earthquake in 1923, the stubble-roofed bell tower remained intact, providing valuable testimony to the architecture of the era.

The site, modest in size compared to other famous Kamakura temples, is renowned for its intimate atmosphere and direct relation to nature. Visitors come mainly for the bamboo grove behind the main building, a space out of time.

Bamboo garden: a green setting

Behind the main hall, more than 2,000 bamboos form a dense, vertical plant wall. Light gently filters through the stems, creating a shaded atmosphere conducive to meditation. The landscaped trails make it possible to walk in the heart of this miniature forest, much more compact than that of Arashiyama in Kyoto, but just as photogenic.

On the edge of the bamboo grove, a small traditional tea room offers a bowl of matcha accompanied by a Japanese pastry. Sitting in front of the bamboos, one hears the rustling of the wind and the discreet singing of the birds, a rare sensory experience.

Gardens and architectural elements

In addition to bamboo, Hokoku-ji has a dry garden (kare-sansui) composed of rocks and ragged sand, as well as seasonal plantations: cherry trees in the spring, jasmines and hortensias in the summer, flamboyant maple trees in autumn.

The main statue of Buddha thrones in the hall of worship, while side paths allow to see ancient steles and stones covered with foam. This lush vegetation gives the place a natural patina that changes over the seasons.

How to get there

From Tokyo, take the JR Yokosuka line to Kamakura (about 1 hour). From Kamakura JR station, take a bus to Jomyoji stop (15 minutes). The temple is a few minutes walk from the stop.
For walking enthusiasts, it is also possible to access the site by taking a walking route from the city centre of Kamakura, allowing you to discover other temples along the way.

Practical tips for the visit

Arrive early in the morning to enjoy the calm before the influx of visitors.
Provide comfortable shoes to travel on sometimes irregular trails.
Check the weather: the bamboo grove is particularly pleasant after a light rain, when the leaves are still beaded with water.
Combine the visit with other sites in eastern Kamakura, such as the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine.
Make a small budget for entrance and, if desired, for tea matcha in the living room.

What to see around Hokoku-ji

Nearby, the Jomyoji district has other less well known but charming temples, as well as small alleys lined with traditional houses. To extend the walk, you can walk to the city centre and discover the shopping streets of Komachi-dori, the great Buddha of Kotoku-in or the beaches of Yuigahama.

Hokoku-ji is the perfect example of a place where nature and spirituality come together. Its compact bamboo garden, neat gardens and soothing atmosphere make it an ideal stopover for a day in Kamakura. For travellers looking for a parenthesis far from urban agitation, this is a must.

Si cet article vous a apporté des informations utiles et peut aider d’autres voyageurs à préparer leur séjour, un avis Google en cliquant sur l’image suivante sera toujours apprécié.