Hokokuji

Hokokuji is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kenchoji school founded in 1334 (Kemmu 1) by Ashikaga Ietoki as the founding patron, with Tengan Egitsu as the founding abbot. It flourished as the ancestral temple of the Ashikaga clan and remains an ancient temple with deep connections to the Muromachi shogunate. Known as the 'Temple of Bamboo,' the temple grounds feature approximately 2,000 Moso bamboo trees forming a beautiful bamboo forest that guides visitors into a world of subtle beauty. A tea pavilion within the bamboo forest offers matcha tea, creating a healing space that allows visitors to forget the hustle and bustle of the city. It is a sacred space for those seeking peace of mind, where the spirit of Zen and the silence of the bamboo forest interweave.