HOURS:
WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 4 - 10PM
SATURDAY - SUNDAY | 12 - 10PM
ABOUT:
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.
The garden offers a koi pond, teahouse garden, and courtyard garden as well as the Sakura Pavilion which hosts various events. The Japanese House and Garden was conceived as part of an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Designed by Japanese mid-century modernist architect Junzo Yoshimura in 1953, the house was built in Nagoya, Japan using traditional materials and techniques. The house was part of “The House in the Museum Garden” series, which exhibited three different types of structures that influenced mid-century modern American architecture. Shofuso was the last structure in the exhibit and was moved to Philadelphia at its conclusion in 1954. Shofuso was reassembled at the current site in 1957-58, where there has been a continuous Japanese presence since the 1876 Centennial Exposition when the first Japanese garden in North America was installed behind a small Japanese bazaar.
EXTENDED HOURS:
Admission to Shofuso will be free for Parks on Tap attendees on Friday and Saturday from 5:00–8:00 PM during their extended hours.
Tanabata Festival:
Tanabata is the annual Star Festival celebrated across Japan on July 7. According to legend, it is the one day each year when the celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi are reunited. This celebration invites us to appreciate the beauty of the cosmos and the wonders of the night sky; we invite you to join us.
Each year, Shofuso marks Tanabata with colorful decorations and bamboo trees filled with wishes written by visitors. Visit Shofuso this July and add your own wish to the celebration.
Parks on Tap patrons are invited to stop by Shofuso and celebrate Tanabata by writing their wishes and tying them to one of the bamboo trees throughout the garden. As a special offer, Parks on Tap guests who show their wristbands at admission will receive discounted entry to Shofuso for just $5.00.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Accessible via SEPTA Bus Route 38 at Lansdowne Drive and Belmont Avenue. Also via SEPTA Bus Routes 40, 43, 64 at 49th and Parkside.
PARKING:
The closest parking is the free parking lot located on Horticultural Drive.
