Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine
Kamakura, Japan
Hokoku-ji Temple, Kamakura
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Photo: Urashimataro, Public domain, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ≈ ¥400
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Roughly 9:00–16:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 45 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Bamboo garden
- About ¥400
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Matcha in the grove
- About ¥600 more
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Closed
- 29 December–3 January
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Highlight
- A grove of 2,000+ bamboo stalks
- Getting there
- Bus 23, 24 or 36 to Jomyoji, 10 minutes
Key facts
2,000+moso bamboo stalks in the grove behind the main hall
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japan-guide.comRinzaithe Zen school the temple belongs to
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japan-guide.comMuromachithe era of its founding — the 14th century
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japan-guide.comAshikagathe shogun clan whose family temple it was
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japan-guide.comMatchaserved in a tea house inside the grove
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japan-guide.com≈ ¥400entry to the bamboo garden
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japan-guide.comThatched roofon the bell tower beside the main hall
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japan-guide.com10 minutesby bus from Kamakura Station
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japan-guide.comWhat is Hokoku-ji?
Hokoku-ji is a small temple of the Rinzai school of Zen in the quiet hills of eastern Kamakura. It was founded early in the Muromachi period, in the 14th century, and was the family temple of the Ashikaga clan — the shoguns who ruled Japan for two and a half centuries.
From the street the temple looks modest: a gate, a small garden, the main hall and a bell tower with a thatched roof. But behind the main hall begins what people come for — a bamboo grove of more than 2,000 tall, dark-green moso stalks. Narrow paths lead through it to a tea house.
Entry and hours
According to guides, entry to the bamboo garden is about ¥400, and it opens roughly 9:00 to 16:00; it's closed from 29 December to 3 January. Tea in the tea house costs extra.
The grove is small — you can walk through it in about ten minutes — so the place is about silence and light rather than scale. It's best at opening, before the groups: sunlight filters through the bamboo and the paths are empty.
What to see
- The bamboo grove of 2,000+ moso stalks.
- The tea house serving matcha inside the grove.
- The main hall with its Shaka Buddha statue.
- The bell tower under a thatched roof.
- Narrow paths through the grove.
- Moss and stone lanterns among the bamboo.
How to get to Hokoku-ji
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- Bus — from the east exit of Kamakura Station, routes 23, 24 or 36 to Jomyoji, about 10 minutes, then 3 minutes on foot.
- On foot from the station — about 30–40 minutes east.
- From Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — about 30 minutes on foot.
- Nearby — Jomyo-ji temple at the same bus stop.
- From Tokyo — JR Yokosuka line to Kamakura, about an hour.
Hokoku-ji or the Arashiyama bamboo grove
| Hokoku-jiyou are here | A small temple grove | ≈ ¥400 | Fewer | Matcha inside the grove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arashiyama | A long path through forest | Free | Very many | Scenery and a river nearby |
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour is enough for the temple with tea. It lies away from Kamakura's main sights, so it pairs well with neighbouring Jomyo-ji temple, then back to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu on foot or by bus.
Bamboo is green all year, so any season works. In autumn the maples by the main hall turn red, and in the rain the grove is especially quiet and fresh.
Moso is Japan's largest bamboo: its stalks grow to 20 metres and more, and beneath them there's a green half-light even on a sunny day. In spring you can watch young shoots shooting up almost before your eyes.
Is Hokoku-ji worth visiting?
Yes: it's Kamakura's most atmospheric and peaceful spot, and a bowl of matcha in a bamboo grove stays with you.
The YesGo take: the grove is much smaller than Kyoto's famous Arashiyama, and at weekends the paths fill up. If you've been to Arashiyama, Hokoku-ji may seem tiny. But for a calm break and tea it's the best place in town — come on a weekday morning.
Before you go: checklist
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Kamakura temples: compare and choose
Temples and shrines in Kamakura rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kōtoku-in) | 46 | 40 min | ¥300 | 2.9 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine | 44 | 1 h | Free | 22 min walk |
| Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine | 44 | 30 min | Free | 42 min walk |
| Sasuke Inari Shrine | 43 | 30 min | Free | 2.7 km |
| Hōkoku-ji Temple (Bamboo Temple)you are here | 38 | 45 min | ≈ ¥400 | — |
| Kenchō-ji Temple | 38 | 1 h | ≈ ¥500 | 31 min walk |
| Engaku-ji Temple | 37 | 1 h | ¥500 | 2.7 km |
| Hase-dera Temple | 35 | 1 h 15 min | ¥400 | 3.3 km |
| Enoshima Island | 34 | 3 h | free; tower and caves ≈ ¥500 | 8.2 km |
Eastern Kamakura in half a day
The bamboo grove and matcha at Hokoku-ji in the morning, then Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, and lunch on Komachi-dori. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Hōkoku-ji Temple (Bamboo Temple)you are here45 min · ≈ ¥400
- 22 min walk from the previous stopTsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine1 h · free
- 11 min walk from the previous stopKomachi-dori Street45 min · free
3 places · about 3 h 3 min with walks · 33 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Komachi-dori Street
Kamakura, Japan
Kenchō-ji Temple
Kamakura, Japan
Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine
Kamakura, Japan
How to do it right
- Come at opening.
- Matcha in the grove — about ¥600.
- Take the bus to Jomyoji.
- Jomyo-ji temple is next door.
- Back to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.
Questions
How much is entry to Hokoku-ji?
About ¥400 for the bamboo garden; tea about ¥600 more.
What are the opening hours?
Roughly 9:00–16:00; closed 29 December–3 January.
How much bamboo is there?
More than 2,000 moso bamboo stalks.
Can I have tea?
Yes, matcha in the tea house inside the grove.
How do I get there?
Bus 23, 24 or 36 from Kamakura Station to Jomyoji, about 10 minutes.
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour.
How is it different from Arashiyama?
The grove is smaller but quieter, and matcha is served in it.
What's nearby?
Jomyo-ji temple.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- japan-guide.com — history, grove, tea house, bell tower, hours, prices, buses (via curl 09.11.2026; unofficial)
- English Wikipedia: Hōkoku-ji
- Wikidata Q3146363; coordinates from the map
Top YesGo picks: Kamakura
Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kōtoku-in)
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Sasuke Inari Shrine
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Engaku-ji Temple
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Hase-dera Temple
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Enoshima Island
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