Admission
- Adult (18+)¥400
At a Glance
Founded in 1334 by priest Tengan, the temple's expansive grounds cover approximately 13,000 square meters, equivalent to nearly three American football fields.
The bamboo grove features towering Moso bamboo, a specific species known for being among the tallest and fastest-growing bamboo varieties in the world.
This temple offers 1 different goshuin designs
Regular
Facilities
Plan to spend time in the bamboo grove during different times of day if possible, as the changing light creates dramatically different atmospheres in the forest.
Come for a quiet visit if you want a calm retreat; Houkoku-ji is noted for a serene bamboo grove and a quiet hillside setting away from the city.
Visit the bamboo grove tea house where you can enjoy a traditional matcha tea ceremony surrounded by towering Moso bamboo plants in dappled natural light. This experience offers a peaceful retreat and is one of the temple's most popular features.
Prioritize the bamboo grove on your route; it is the temple's signature sight and the main reason many visitors come to Houkoku-ji.
Choose Houkoku-ji when you want a quieter Kamakura temple experience; its hillside location and calm grounds suit low-key visits.
The bamboo grove creates unique lighting conditions with filtered, dappled sunlight, so adjust your camera settings accordingly for the best photographs of the tall, sweeping bamboo plants.
Share how your visit was to help other travelers.
Fascinating facts about this place
Founded in 1334 by priest Tengan, the temple's expansive grounds cover approximately 13,000 square meters, equivalent to nearly three American football fields.
The bamboo grove features towering Moso bamboo, a specific species known for being among the tallest and fastest-growing bamboo varieties in the world.
Houkoku-ji belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, one of Japan's major Zen traditions.
Houkoku-ji is stop No. 10 on the historic Kamakura 33 Kannon pilgrimage route, with its original Sho Kannon statue now preserved in the Kamakura Museum of National Treasures.
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
2 recent visits and photo contributions
BLBarbara Lind checked in
ZBPro memberZoë BolandPro shared a goshuin
More ways to continue from this place.
Within 300 m Within 600 m
Timetable data: Public Transportation Open Data Center
