Set in Kamakura, a historic center of Japanese culture, this sustainability tour offers an exploration of Kamakura’s bamboo as you visit iconic sites—the Great Buddha, which is a National Treasure, and Hokokuji Temple, which is renowned for its bamboo grove.
Bamboo groves are among Kamakura’s celebrated sights and popular photo spots, yet many unmanaged bamboo forests across the city have created a serious environmental problem, known as bamboo overgrowth. The spread of neglected bamboo groves is linked to declining biodiversity, increased risk of landslides, farmland damage, and negative landscape impacts.
In response, the City of Kamakura and local community groups are working to address these challenges through bamboo-forest maintenance, effective use of bamboo resources, and awareness initiatives.
Through this experience, you will gain insight into the environmental issues facing Kamakura while discovering the potential of bamboo as a sustainable material.