Bamboo Forest of Hokokuji

Although the bamboo forest of Arashiyama in Kyoto is likely Japan’s most famous bamboo grove (and for good reason), there are many other splendid bamboo groves around the country. The grove connected to Hokokuji Temple in Kamakura is a great example of this. Although Hokokuji itself is rather small and a bit out of the way, it’s a great place to visit if you’re in the Kamakura area. Not only can you take in the lovely grounds around the temple, of which the bamboo is just a part, but you can also enjoy a cup of matcha – a special kind of green tea with a very frothy, light texture. I’ve been to the temple twice, but it was on the second occasion that I was able to grab this photo. As you might imagine, the temple can get very crowded, and with such narrow paths through the bamboo, that makes it especially hard to take a photo like this. But having arrived very early in the morning, before the temple opened in fact, I was able to set up nice and slow with some great morning light blasting through the leaves.

Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Shot Info: f/11 | Multiple Exposures (HDR) | ISO100 | 11mm

photo of bamboo forest in JapanClick Here To Purchase A Print

And just so you know what I’m talking about, here’s a photo I took of some matcha I enjoyed on one of my trips here. Tasty!

Photo of Japanese matchaClick Here To Purchase A Print

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  • Where Earth Meets Sky » Les Taylor Photo[…] This Thanksgiving my family had the chance to enjoy a final get together with some good friends of ours who have been living on Yokosuka Naval Base. They’ve blessed us each year with a chance to come down and eat with them, to enjoy a true American Thanksgiving meal. They’ll be headed back to the US this month though, which is why it was our final time together. Anyway, since we were down there and they are about to leave, I did a small family portrait session for them in one of their favorite places – Hokokuji. After we were done taking family pictures, I hung back for a few minutes to take some photos of the lovely bamboo, so that’s where today’s photo comes from. This wasn’t my first time to Hokokuji, but every time I go I can’t help but photograph the beautiful bamboo. […]ReplyCancel

  • Path Through The Bamboo In Kyoto » Les Taylor Photo[…] is almost certainly the aptly named “bamboo forest” in Arashiyama, Kyoto, but there are others throughout the country that offer their own unique version. In fact, there are others in Kyoto as […]ReplyCancel