Hokoku-ji Temple Audio Guide – Self-Guided Tour in English

Founded in the year 1334, Hokoku-ji is a historic Rinzai Zen temple famous for its beautiful grove of approximately 2,000 bamboo plants. Discover medieval samurai history, rock-cut tombs, a traditional dry landscape garden, and a peaceful teahouse surrounded by towering bamboo.

Hokoku-ji Temple audio guideFor earphones, as you walk (10 tracks)

PochikaYour guide around Tokyo

Sagi-senseiTemples, gardens and history

KasukeHidden spots and surprises

ChunOld town, shops and festivals

▶ Play from the startNext ▶▶

1. WelcomePochika
2. Main HallSagi-sensei
3. Zen GardenKasuke
4. Bamboo GroveChun
5. Bamboo Garden PathsKasuke
6. Kyukoan TeahouseChun
7. Yagura TombsSagi-sensei
8. Bell TowerKasuke
9. Moss Garden and Kashodo HallChun
10. Before you goPochika

The first track of every guide is free.

Keeps playing with the screen off. It stops after each spot: when you arrive at the next one, tap “Next” or ▶▶ on your lock screen. Voices: Kokoro (open-source text-to-speech)

Visiting info

Checked on 2026-11-07 against the official pages. Hours can change; please check the official page before you go.

Transcript

1. Welcome (Pochika)

Hello, and welcome to Hokoku-ji Temple! I'm Pochika, your guide. Look at the wooden Sanmon Gate in front of you. Beyond it, a quiet path leads through moss-covered stones and beautiful greenery. It's hard to imagine that this peaceful place has such a dramatic history! Hokoku-ji was founded in the year 1334 to honor Ashikaga Ietoki, an important member of a powerful samurai family. Today, the temple is famous for approximately two thousand bamboo plants growing behind its Main Hall. That's why people call it the Bamboo Temple. But there's much more to discover. We'll explore a Zen garden, a traditional teahouse, and medieval tombs carved into the hillside. Ready? Let's begin!

2. Main Hall (Sagi-sensei)

Hello, I'm Sagi-sensei. Follow the gently rising path from the gate and look toward the copper-roofed building above the steps on your right. This is the Main Hall, or Hondo. It houses Hokoku-ji's principal object of worship, a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha. The statue is approximately fifty centimeters tall. The temple's founding priest was Tengan Eko, a Japanese Zen monk who studied Buddhism in China. In the year 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed most of Hokoku-ji's buildings. The temple was gradually rebuilt afterward. Before moving on, notice the Main Hall's roof. It looks very different from the traditional thatched roof of the nearby bell tower. Please offer a respectful bow if you wish.

3. Zen Garden (Kasuke)

Hey, I'm Kasuke! Now look toward the beautiful garden near the Main Hall. See how the white gravel, stones, natural cliff, and surrounding greenery work together? This is a karesansui garden, a Japanese dry landscape. It represents natural scenery such as mountains and rivers through carefully arranged stones and gravel. Look closely at the patterns in the gravel. They can change, giving the garden a different appearance. The natural cliff behind the stones adds depth, almost like a background painted behind a stage. And there's something wonderful about this design: it doesn't need a real river to suggest flowing water. That's the magic of a Zen garden! Enjoy the view from the designated path without stepping onto the gravel.

4. Bamboo Grove (Chun)

Chun! I'm Chun, your sparrow guide. Welcome to Hokoku-ji's most famous attraction! Look up. And keep looking up! Approximately two thousand bamboo plants rise around you, creating a beautiful green world. Most are moso bamboo, a species known for growing quickly and producing strong material. Bamboo like this has traditionally been used to make everyday objects, including baskets. Here's an interesting story. This grove stands where the temple's founding priest, Tengan Eko, spent much of his later life. He practiced Zen meditation here, read books, and composed poetry. The bamboo was planted during the middle of Japan's Edo period, centuries after his lifetime. Walk slowly along the stone path and enjoy the changing light.

5. Bamboo Garden Paths (Kasuke)

It's Kasuke again! Stand for a moment among the bamboo and look toward the tops of the tall, slender trunks. Here's a little challenge. Can you hear the bamboo moving? When the wind blows, the leaves rustle and the stems sometimes creak against one another. On rainy days, droplets fall from the leaves, creating a completely different atmosphere. Hokoku-ji's official guide encourages visitors to appreciate these changing sounds and patterns of light. Now look down beside the path. You may notice moss-covered stone figures and traditional lanterns among the bamboo. Two paths run through this grove and meet near the teahouse. Follow the marked walkway, and take your time. This is a place worth experiencing without rushing.

6. Kyukoan Teahouse (Chun)

Chun! We've arrived at Kyukoan, the little teahouse surrounded by bamboo. Look at its gently curved roof. Doesn't it seem to echo the movement of the tall bamboo stems? The open design lets visitors enjoy the garden while sitting with a bowl of matcha. Matcha is powdered green tea whisked with hot water. It's served here with traditional Japanese sweets called rakugan. Here's a local detail: the wooden serving trays feature Kamakura-bori, a traditional carved lacquerware craft. If you'd like tea, you need a separate ticket costing six hundred yen, purchased at the temple reception. Ticket sales normally end at three thirty in the afternoon and may pause when it's crowded. No tea today? Simply enjoy the garden.

7. Yagura Tombs (Sagi-sensei)

Now let's discover a darker chapter of Kamakura's history. Follow the permitted path toward the hillside behind Kashodo Hall. Look for three arched openings carved into the rock. These are yagura, medieval burial chambers characteristic of Kamakura. They were excavated horizontally into the area's relatively soft stone. According to temple tradition, members of the Ashikaga family were buried here, including Ashikaga Ietoki. Another tragic figure associated with these tombs is Ashikaga Yoshihisa, the son of the fourth Kamakura kubo, Ashikaga Mochiuji. During the Eikyo Rebellion in the year 1438, Yoshihisa died by suicide at this temple. The caves preserve the memory of this turbulent age. Please observe from outside and respect the burial site.

8. Bell Tower (Kasuke)

Hey, it's Kasuke! Look toward the small bell tower standing in front of the Main Hall. Notice its beautifully curved thatched roof. This is Hokoku-ji's oldest surviving building, constructed in the year 1757. Here's a surprising detail: the Main Hall once had a similar thatched roof! The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 damaged the temple's buildings, and the Main Hall received a different roof during reconstruction. The original bell was taken for its metal during World War Two. The present bell was cast after the war. Traditionally, temple bells marked the rhythm of Buddhist practice. Today, because homes surround the temple, this bell is sounded mainly on special occasions. Please don't try to ring it yourself.

9. Moss Garden and Kashodo Hall (Chun)

Chun! As we make our way toward the entrance, look at the moss-covered stones beside the path. After rain, the moss can appear especially bright and green. Now look for the two-story Kashodo Hall nearby. Built in the year 1978, it contains a space used for Zen meditation. The hall enshrines figures associated with Kassapa, one of the Buddha's great disciples, and Tengan Eko, Hokoku-ji's founding priest. The hall isn't generally open for ordinary sightseeing. But here's something interesting: Hokoku-ji holds a Sunday morning Zen meditation session, normally beginning at seven thirty. It's a serious practice conducted in Japanese, not a casual tourist activity. For now, simply enjoy the quiet garden and imagine the discipline of Zen training.

10. Before you go (Pochika)

What a wonderful journey! I'm Pochika, and before leaving, take one last look toward Hokoku-ji's beautiful green valley. We've explored a temple founded in the year 1334, walked among approximately two thousand bamboo plants, discovered a remarkable Zen garden, and learned about the samurai family buried in the hillside. Here's one final thought. Hokoku-ji isn't beautiful only during bamboo season. In spring, cherry blossoms and azaleas add color to the grounds. Autumn brings golden ginkgo leaves, while winter offers camellias and Japanese apricot blossoms. Every season reveals something different. Please follow the marked path back to the Sanmon Gate, and remember to leave the moss, bamboo, and historic stones untouched. Thank you for exploring with Kyochika. See you on our next adventure!

FAQ

Is the audio guide free?

The first track of every guide is free, with no app and no sign-up. A 7-day pass for $3 unlocks every track of every guide. The scripts are always free to read.

Do I need a reservation?

Bamboo Garden: ¥400 for high school students and adults; ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students. Matcha with traditional sweets at Kyukoan: additional ¥600. Tea tickets available 9:00 AM–3:30 PM, subject to temporary suspension during busy periods.

Where does the tour start?

Begin at the Sanmon entrance gate of Hokoku-ji Temple. From JR Kamakura Station East Exit, take a Keikyu bus from stop 4 toward Jomyoji, approximately 12 minutes, then walk 3 minutes from Jomyoji bus stop. Alternatively, walk approximately 35 minutes from Kamakura Station. Play Track 1 before entering. Follow the marked paths and tap Next when you reach each new stop. The garden contains steps and uneven stone paths. The yagura tombs require a short detour from the bamboo garden route; follow the temple's signs and enter only permitted areas.

Sources

• Hokoku-ji Official — Visiting Hours, Admission and Teahouse
• Hokoku-ji Official — History, Buildings, Bamboo Garden and Yagura
• Hokoku-ji Official — Access and Temple Announcements
• Kamakura City Tourism Association — Hokoku-ji Temple
• Japan Tourism Agency — Introduction to Hokokuji Temple
• Japan Tourism Agency — Walking Course around the Temple
• Japan Tourism Agency — Bamboo Grove
• Japan Tourism Agency — Teahouse
• Japan Tourism Agency — Yagura: Ashikaga Family Graves
• Japan Tourism Agency — Bell Tower
• Japan Tourism Agency — Kashodo Hall

This page in Japanese

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