Shofuso is a 17th century style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia
(351)
Horticultural & Lansdowne Drs
Philadelphia, PA
19131
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| Wednesday | 11am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 11am - 5pm |
| Friday | 11am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 11am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 11am - 5pm |
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Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is a traditional-style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park that reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia, from the 1876 Centennial Exposition to present day. Shofuso hosts over 30,000 visitors each year from more than 20 different countries.
Shofuso was designed by modern Japanese architect Junzo Yoshimura, and is based on a 17th century guesthouse at Kojo-in, a sub-temple of Onjō-ji temple in the city of Ōtsu. It was built in Nagoya, Japan in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials and exhibited in the courtyard at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Following its exhibition, Shofuso was moved to Philadelphia in 1958, to the site of several previous Japanese structures dating to the 1876 Centennial Exposition.
Shofuso features three traditional gardens on its 1.2 acre site: a hill-and-pond style garden featuring a waterfall, island, and koi pond; a courtyard garden in the style of an urban 17th century Kyoto garden; and a tea garden, which is a rustic path to its tea house. In 2007, internationally renowned artist Hiroshi Senju, inspired by Shofuso’s waterfall, donated 20 murals, which are on view inside the house. The newly-restored, historic 1876 Sakura Pavilion offers year-round space for programming, classes, meetings, events, and exhibitions.
In 2016, Shofuso merged with the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, a private nonprofit organization which has brought Philadelphia and Japan closer together for more than 25 years. The house and garden is a beacon for Japanese cultural programs throughout the year, beginning with the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival every April. Throughout the year, Shofuso hosts Japanese tea ceremony lessons and demonstrations by the Urasenke Tea School of Philadephia, features weekly floral installations by Ikebana International Philadelphia Chapter 71, and is the site for taiko drum performances by Kyo Daiko and Japanese classical dance performances by IchiFuji-kai Dance Association.
