The house was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York before being permanently installed in Philadelphia.
The interior contains 'fusuma' (sliding doors) painted by Hiroshi Senju, known for his signature waterfall motifs.
The garden surrounding the site was renovated in 2007 by renowned landscape architect Sano Tansai.
The building is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress), which is highly valued for its natural resistance to decay.
Shofuso is one of the few examples of shoin-zukuri architecture located outside of Japan.
The pond contains koi fish, some of which are several decades old.
The site hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrating the planting of sakura trees donated by Japan in the 1920s.
The tatami mat floor plan is specifically designed to accommodate tea ceremony rituals.
Shofuso is a 17th-century style Japanese wooden house originally built in Nagoya, Japan, in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials. It was relocated to Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park in 1958 to symbolize peace and friendship between Japan and the United States. The structure features a shoin-zukuri style main house, a authentic tea house, and a veranda overlooking a koi pond. The site includes a tiered waterfall and a landscape garden designed according to Japanese aesthetic principles. Inside, visitors can view preserved 1950s wall paintings by Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju. The building is constructed without the use of nails, relying on intricate joinery common in period Japanese architecture. It is managed by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.
The view from the wooden veranda looking out toward the koi pond and the waterfall.
Remove your shoes before entering the house to protect the authentic tatami mats.
Walk slowly on the wooden veranda to observe the changing reflections in the koi pond.
Check the official website for specialized tea ceremony demonstrations.
Do not attempt to feed the koi fish, as it disrupts the pond's ecosystem; do not touch the sliding door paintings.
Typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; closed during winter months.
Shoes must be removed before entering the historic house; socks are required for hygiene.
