Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

Overview

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is an authentic 17th-century-style Japanese house and garden nestled in Fairmount Park. Built in Japan and reassembled in Philadelphia, it features sliding screens with paintings by Hiroshi Senju.

Highlights

• Authentic Construction: Built by Japanese craftsmen using traditional joinery — no nails.
• Hiroshi Senju Paintings: Contemporary waterfall paintings on the interior sliding screens.
• Koi Pond & Garden: A traditional Japanese stroll garden with a pond, stone lanterns, and cherry trees.

History

Originally built for a 1953 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the house was moved to Philadelphia in 1958. It underwent a major restoration with new interior paintings by Senju in 2007.

Visitor Tips

• Cherry blossom season (April) is the most magical time to visit.
• Seasonal hours — closed December through mid-March.
• Duration: 30–60 minutes.