Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

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 the installation of its contemporary paintings in 2007.

Shofuso was built in Japan in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials and exhibited in the courtyard at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It was moved to Philadelphia in 1958, to the site of several previous Japanese structures and a continuously maintained Japanese garden dating to the 1876 Centennial Exposition. A viewing garden with koi pond and island, a tea garden, and a courtyard garden comprise the 17th century-style Japanese walled and fenced garden of this historic site and museum.

Shofuso is administered by the Friends of the Japanese House and Garden (FJHG). FJHG, a private nonprofit organization, has administered, operated, funded, and preserved the city-owned site since 1982. In 1999, FJHG raised $1.2 million to replace the hinoki roof of Shofuso, the only one of its kind outside of Japan.

In 2007, FJHG installed 20 new fusuma murals, titled Waterfall, created and donated by internationally renowned contemporary Japanese artist, Hiroshi Senju.

After renovating Shofuso's hinoki bark roof in 2011, FJHG partnered with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and preserved Sakura Pavilion at the Centennial Buildings in 2012. Shofuso's Sakura Pavilion is two restored 1876 brick buildings with a renovated flagstone terrace and is year-round space for programming, classes, meetings, events, and exhibitions.

FJHG will next restore the 1957 historic pond and landscape of Japanese designer Tansai Sano in 2012-2013.

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