Press Releases from Greater Philadelphia Gardens

Philadelphia, PA – March 30, 2011 – For the first time since 1982, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in West Fairmount Park will be open to visitors on weekends in April. The cherry trees will be starting to bloom as the gates are opened on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm beginning on April 2. Visitors can tour the traditional-style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park and feed the koi fish under the budding 75 year old weeping cherry tree.

A Nodate-style Japanese tea ceremony will be conducted outdoors on the veranda on Saturday, April 9 for the public in two seatings at 1pm and 2:30pm as part of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. Sakura Sunday, the great cherry blossom festival organized by the Japanese American Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) at the Horticultural Center surrounding Shofuso, is Sunday, April 10 from 10am to 4pm, and Shofuso will be open for timed, ticketed tours for visitors to the festive outdoor celebration.

Shofuso resumes weekday admissions to the public from May to September, Wednesday through Fridays from 10am to 4pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm.

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Shofuso Japanese House and Garden reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia, from the 1876 Centennial Exposition to the installation of its contemporary paintings in 2007. 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 Friends of the Japanese House and Garden (FJHG) maintains, preserves, and administers Shofuso as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

Each year, the FJHG opens the gates of Shofuso to almost 13,000 visitors, including 3,000 school children, who learn about Japanese culture, horticulture and architecture while immersed in the beauty of the site. FJHG offer educational programs, special events, summer camp, school programs and public and private tea ceremonies to the public. Preregistration is required.

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 dating to the 1876 Centennial Exposition. In 2007, internationally renowned artist Hiroshi Senju, inspired by the waterfall, donated 20 murals to Shofuso.

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Shofuso's 80 year old weeping cherry tree over the koi pond

Shofuso Japanese House and turtle island are framed in blossoming cherry trees.