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Tuesday 11am - 5pm Wednesday 11am - 5pm Thursday 11am - 5pm Friday 11am - 5pm Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 5pm

Shofuso

Shofuso is a 17th century style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia
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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 built in Japan in 1953 using traditional technique

s 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 dating to the 1876 Centennial Exposition. In 2007, internationally renowned artist Hiroshi Senju, inspired by our waterfall, donated 20 murals to Shofuso. 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. The newly-restored, historic 1876 Sakura Pavilion is year-round space for programming, classes, meetings, events, and exhibitions. Shofuso was again named the third-ranked Japanese garden in North America by the Journal of Japanese Gardening in 2013,was listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2013, and is a contributing structure to the Fairmount Park National Historic District since 1972.

05/29/2026

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at Shofuso! On Sunday, June 14th there will be demonstrations at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM by the Urasenke Tea School. During the ceremony, guests will enjoy a bowl of matcha, Japanese green tea, and a traditional, seasonal sweet, wagashi.

To register for Tea Demonstrations at Shofuso, visit our program page: https://ow.ly/FBb050WitaK

To learn more about Urasenke Philadelphia Tea School, visit their website: https://ow.ly/RSzy50WitaO

Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
West Fairmount Park
Horticultural and Lansdowne Drives
Philadelphia, PA 19131

05/27/2026

There are still a few spaces left for our Summer Semester of online Japanese language classes!

Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia offers a Japanese Classroom program providing an accessible, affordable opportunity for language instruction in a positive group study environment. Classes are offered online, and students must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Our 101 class has sold out, but the Conversational Japanese is a good alternate. The main difference is a focus on phrases and speaking skills over grammar and memorization that is in standard 101.

To see the full list of classes available this summer, and more information about the classes visit our website:
https://ow.ly/Rszk50Z4IzC

Registration ends this Friday, May 29th, and classes begin June 1-5.
Registration fees for each class are $400 per semester, or $380 for JASGP members, except where otherwise noted.

Don't see the class you need this summer? Want to be the first to be informed when our next semester of classes are available? Just fill out this form to receive an email when the fall semester signup starts. https://ow.ly/izxV50Z4IzE

05/26/2026

Please note that due to the greatly increased traffic expected for the Roots Picnic this weekend, Shofuso will be closed Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31. In cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, it was decided that entry and exit would be too difficult and the gates will be closed.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.

05/13/2026

The Philly Japanese Conversation Club at Shofuso is a free monthly program for Japanese and English speakers of all levels to practice their language skills, share language resources, learning methods, and practice reading and typing Japanese together. It is a safe space for people to make connections within the community. Members are encouraged to share links to resources and pose questions to other members of the group.

May 27th, 2026
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
West Fairmount Park
Horticultural and Lansdowne Drives, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Free, but Registration is Required
https://ow.ly/E31150YYXNu

05/08/2026

Tomorrow at the Park Avenue Community Center enjoy an evening of fun at the Japanese Children's Day Festival!
Saturday, May 9th from 5:15 to 7:00 PM. Visit https://thepac.center/events for more information.

05/04/2026

Welcome back the spring weather with Fairmount Park Conservancy!

05/01/2026

Join us on Sunday, May 3rd from 11:00am–5:00pm for a day of fun for the whole family!

Children’s Day, traditionally celebrated on May 5th in Japan, is a national holiday honoring children and expressing hope for their happy, healthy future. Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia commemorates Children’s Day each year at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center with displays of traditional items associated with the holiday, including miniature Japanese samurai armor sets and festive fish-shaped streamers (koinobori) in the garden.

Along with the traditional decorations there will be activities throughout the day, including papercrafts such as making origami, koinobori (koi fish) origami kabuto (wearable paper samurai helmets), and paper fans. There will also be kimono dressing for boys and girls, Kamishibai storytellers, a performance by the Keystone Japan Club and a Samurai Fighting Arts demonstration by Master Takaharu Fukuzawa with Yasuyo Fukuzawa.

All Children’s Day displays and activities are included with admission to Shofuso.

Children's Day
May 3rd, 2026
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
Lansdowne and Horticultural Drives
Philadelphia, PA 19131

General Admission
Adults: $15
Children 5-17, Seniors 65+ and Students with ID: $10
ACCESS Card holders: $2 (up to 4 guests per card)
Children under 5, Active Military and Veterans, STAMP pass holders: Free

Tickets are timed entry, but you can stay as long as you like. Click here to purchase your tickets to Shofuso:
https://ow.ly/yqvc50YTBCI

04/29/2026

The azaleas are in full bloom and putting on a show 🌸💗 Now is one of the best times of the season to visit Shofuso and experience the garden.

Plan your visit and reserve your tickets here: japanphilly.org/shofuso/visit/

We hope to see you soon!

04/22/2026

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony demonstration at Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center. This demonstration is led by practitioners from Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region USA, visiting from the Princeton and New York regions. Please note this demonstration will involve the standard usucha (thin tea) preparation.

Participants should be prepared to sit on the floor for the duration of the demonstration. Limited chairs will be available.

Saturday, May 16, 2026
12:00 - 1:00 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Directions: https://ow.ly/HHaH50YOeiX

Tickets:
$35 JASGP Members
$40 Non-members

Purchase Tickets:
12 -1 PM: https://ow.ly/Xzyh50YOeiT
1-2 PM: https://ow.ly/rMl850YOeiY

JASGP members must sign in to receive the membership discount during checkout.

Not a member? Join JASGP today and receive free general admission to Shofuso, free Members Only Nights, discounted tickets to JASGP special events and much more! Visit https://ow.ly/4FCR50YOeiZ to become a member today!

04/20/2026

Join us on Sunday, May 3rd from 11:00am–5:00pm for a day of fun for the whole family!

Children’s Day, traditionally celebrated on May 5th in Japan, is a national holiday honoring children and expressing hope for their happy, healthy future. Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia commemorates Children’s Day each year at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center with displays of traditional items associated with the holiday, including miniature Japanese samurai armor sets and festive fish-shaped streamers (koinobori) in the garden.

Along with the traditional decorations there will be activities throughout the day, including papercrafts: making origami, koinobori origami, kabuto (wearable paper samurai helmets), and paper fans. There will also be kimono dressing for boys and girls, kamishibai storytellers and a performance by the Keystone Japan Club at 2pm.

All Children’s Day displays and activities are included with admission to Shofuso.

Event will be held Rain or Shine!

Visit our website for more information and to reserve timed tickets:
https://ow.ly/zzcT50YMKbz

Address

Horticultural & Lansdowne Drs
Philadelphia, PA
19131

Opening Hours

Tuesday	11am - 5pm
Wednesday	11am - 5pm
Thursday	11am - 5pm
Friday	11am - 5pm
Saturday	11am - 5pm
Sunday	11am - 5pm

Telephone

+12158785097

Website

http://japanphilly.org/shofuso

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