Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center

I never leave negative reviews but this was a disappointing experience. The garden in the house was too small for so many people. There’s no explanation of anything except long reading material. The experience would be better with maybe speakers in each room explaining what we’re looking at. The staff were hardly present. Honestly not worth a 20min drive from downtown or the $15 per person spent. Should be free for the 90 seconds of walking into people in senseless circles. The San Antonio TX Japanese gardens is exemplary. Free, scenic, educational. Not worth the trip from New York.

So small. Took us 20 min to walk through. Also, there are no restrooms to rest. They have porta potty. I'm only giving 3 stars because the fishes are huge and adorable. You can pet them.

My daughter and I loved this place but it's not for everyone. It's quiet and small. You need to really look and read to appreciate it. We were here for about an hour. ( It's a bit overstated to call it a cultural center as it's small)

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is one of Philadelphia’s true hidden treasures. Nestled in West Fairmount Park, this peaceful spot feels worlds away from the city. The house was originally built in 1953 for the Museum of Modern Art in New York, then moved to Philadelphia a few years later. Since then, it’s become a quiet haven for those looking to experience the beauty and simplicity of traditional Japanese design. The garden surrounding the house is absolutely stunning—lush, green, and carefully maintained with koi ponds, a waterfall, and winding stone paths. It’s the kind of place where you instantly feel calm, as if the noise of the world has been turned down. The house itself is an authentic example of 17th-century Japanese architecture, complete with tatami mats and hand-painted sliding doors. You can take a tour, enjoy the view from the veranda, or even attend a tea ceremony if you’re lucky. Whether you’re into nature, art, Japan, or just need a breath of fresh air, Shofuso offers something special. It’s more than a garden—it’s a peaceful experience that stays with you long after you leave. Our guide, Jean, was wonderful. She guided us through the house explaining intricate details and glimpses into Japanese life.

Great Japanese culture experience. It’s peaceful and set up beautifully. Great place for kids & adults with a nice park and garden to walk around too.

One of the top Japanese Garden and Cultural Centers in the country. It's small, but packs a lot of beauty in a small space. Timed visits of one hour, which is plenty of time and prevents overcrowding. The building requires you to walk inside with socks (no shoes).

Great experience! The staff were great and the history was detailed. It was relaxing to sit and watch the coy swim in the pond.

It's so beautiful, peaceful and welcoming there and the house is made with a great respect to Japanese Culture. The landscape is made in a gorgeous artistic harmony. It's a pleasure to visit this unique place.

Hung out with some friends here on a random weekday and we didn't realize the park gates closed at 4pm, but the ground staff were really cool about letting us out if needed. The park is VERY CLEAN. Parking is easy near the front gate but that's it. We walked around then had a little picnic with some board games while enjoy the scenery. So quiet and such a nice change from the crowd and noise from the city while STILL being in the city! lol

If I can be honest -- is there any other way to be?? -- you'd get much more from your visit by booking a tour. To do so, one needs at least eight participants (the website says ten). In addition to the base price, there are add-ons like a tea tasting, an origami lesson and Kamishibai storytelling. T and I walked into the center on our own. We were able to discretely listen-in on a tour in progress, arranged for Harvard alumni. When you go through the house there are informational sheets, so you'll understand what you see .... but no human interaction. Shofuso is a 17th century-style house, designed in the mid 1950s for an exhibition at NY's Museum of Modern Art. One noteworthy feature -- and there are indeed many -- is the roof. Made of hinoki bark, it's the only one of its kind out of Japan. It was replaced in 1999 at a cost of $1.4 million! That's just for the roof!!! My favorite part of our visit is the pond. I'd never seen such large and beautiful koi. Tour participants are given little cups of pellets to feed the fish, and boy, did they go nuts. (The fish. Not the humans.) Unusual-looking catfish emerged from the bottom to get in on the feast. BTW, the website indicates that tickets are timed. I called to be sure, and no, that just applies to the spring during cherry blossom time.

This was a last minute adventure that turned into an experience that my little one continues to talk about until this very day! The grounds are amazingly beautiful with so much to learn about the Japanese culture. And while I thought this would be a quick trip my little one and I were caught in the vast details of the grounds, structures, and feeding the fish!

Beautiful grounds exemplifying Japanese Cultural. Funny story, I went here several years ago with two friends and we decided to just look at the venue from afar as it was $12 to enter but you technically see most of the grounds without entering the venue. Fast forward a couple years going with my cultured and lovely girlfriend we paid for the Japanese Tea Ceremony service where you witness what it is like for a traditional tea ceremony and they serve you Matcha tea with a dessert treat while explaining the entire tea ceremony followed by Q & A afterwards. I had a wonderful time and would recommend to anyone who wants a peaceful, tranquil experience, while indulging in some Japanese Culture. I did not include any pictures of the grounds in my photos but if you peruse Yelp you will see many photos of the grounds. As always people SYOY!!!! And yes we did end up ordering sushi afterwards : )

This was a cute Japanese gardens within West Philly area. The house floor was so smooth and relaxing the gardens were very pretty and peaceful my daughter loves feeding the koi fish. We purchased some chopsticks here there that were very nice.

Ordered tickets the day before for 3 with no issues. Upon arrival, I got our tickets and outside the ticket booth there is some souvenirs that you can purchase - incense, houseware, and other knick knacks. There is also free parking outside as well. We spent a good half hour maybe longer and just took in the serene peacefulness of the place. You have to have socks on or use their disposable socks to walk around the house. It was truly a beautiful spot to get away from the chaos of touristy spots. I'm sure in the spring, this place would be even more beautiful. Highly recommend coming here if you want a zen time!

Went here 2 years ago but went to a place close by that made me think of it. We waited in a fairly long line and paid $12 to get in. It is now $14. We took our time and were there maybe 20 minutes. It probably would have been 10 minutes but I watched the Koi for 10. Is it cool and beautiful? Yes. I liked it a lot. Is it worth the price of entry. Not for me but you be the judge.

This place is absolutely beautiful. One of many Philly agricultural gems. Escape to Japan in fairmaount park

One of the best "under the radar" places to visit in Philly. The garden is beautiful and the house offers a great glimpse into the history, culture and architecture of Japan. The flower exhibits and tea ceremonies add to the memorable experience, which is enriching and inspiring.

Fantastic side trip for local and unique spot for tourists! The website recommends tickets and I'm sure they sell out, but luckily we were able to just buy at the ticket window directly. The parking lot is free and there's more parking on the side roads but be prepared to walk if it's a crowded time. The admission person was awesomely helpful in explaining the process of taking off your shoes, the house, the garden. They have to repeat this countless times a day but it didn't feel bored or rushed at all. The house is absolutely lovely with plenty of cultural background cards. It really does feel like a plot of old Japan somehow sprouted up in Philadelphia. The area itself is small, it may take a half hour to walk the house, but you could easily spend an hour or more just sitting and watching the pond and floating around the garden (which has some corner pockets not to miss!). This makes it worth returning to through the different seasons as well as their numerous cultural events. Portapotties are around the back and there are tables of merchandise to purchase on site so it's a full service tourist spot.

A drive from main Philly town, going here felt like a mini escape from the hustle and bustle. Take advantage of ordering Groupon tickets for a discount! Sadly, the garden wasn't as big as I had thought. You take off your shoes when you step inside the house. I'm sure I would have appreciated it better if I listened to a staff member share facts about it, but it was still cool to walk around. The outside though, is my style. Green on green, the place looked stunning next to the architecture of the garden. You definitely need to sit down to take it all in. Our favorite part has to go to feeding the koi fish. For $2, you get a nice amount and you'll have fun watching as the fish swarm over to you to have a piece. If you're into beautiful scenery and nature, this is your place to visit.

I was expecting a cross between the Portland Japanese Garden and the Lan Su Chinese Garden Teahouse which I have visited in Portland, OR a couple of times with relatives who live there. Both of those attractions are breathtaking, and consume a MINIMUM of an hour to visit. With a small Saturday crowd, and persistent drizzle, I'd had my fill of Shofuso in 25 minutes. Realistically, Shofuso does not bill itself as a place for kids, and that is perfectly understandable, and my bad. I was stretching child-accessibility in the first place. But had I prepped my kid with some background info (other than YouTube vids about Maneki Neko and pointing to Japan on a globe), it would've given a better understanding of what we were exploring, and I think it would've been more rewarding (so I recommend doing a little prep background to all parents). But I have family moving to Japan so I hoped to try to show my kid a taste of where they will be going. Aside from a general impression, it was difficult to really connect him to a deeper understanding of the culture with just eyeing the house, and a few didactics. Some kind of exhibit space (I'm thinking a space separate from the house), with artifacts and anthropologically-themed photo visuals would add a huge piece of ambiance and context to the home. Perhaps there is a separate space for the Japanese American Society where such exhibits may be found? If so, we were not made aware during our visit. Tours were available upon request but I presume they're not tailored to young kids, so I didn't ask. Yes, a re-visit alone, or when my kid is older, will be a much better experience for sure. Just not super fulfilling with young kids, and I'm not surprised (though I'd hoped for the best). It looks much bigger in photos than it is. I visited on a Saturday with a bit of a crowd, but still, the pond pushes the garden paths right up against the house, and it was stop-and-go inside and out because every hall/balcony type passage, and every pathway is only wide enough for one person, so with people coming and going, it's a cluster-F. That was just annoying and definitely deterred me from trying to linger in any one room for more than 15 seconds before I felt an urgency to move on and dance around more people in order to get through the property. All in all, 3.5 stars (I rounded up) because I had a library pass for free admission, and will be sure to do the same next time. I recommend visiting on a weekday when traffic will be reduced. Even with tour, don't plan to make a full day outing out of this, it's too small for that, but a worthy stop when combined with other nearby attractions. If you've been to any Asian museum-gardens in Portland, OR or SF-CA, you will probably not be super impressed, but if you're an Asiaphile or seeking a change of scene in Philly, this is a refreshing stop--definitely more dynamic than the Sunkaraku exhibit at the PMA. Oh, a huge plus is Shofuso's koi! They are gorgeous, HUMONGOUS and super cute!

Nice Japanese house and pond We were there in July. Not Much of a garden as I see it but maybe we missed the season for blooms and flowers At $14 and the different discounts you can get it's probably worth a visit but I think you will struggle to fill an hour. Port a potty facility only. Large pond with many fish

What a Beautiful Peaceful place Gardens, Coy pond Traditional tea house as if you were in Japan. Our guide Luna was absolutely awesome! Kind Knowledgeable and explained and answered all of our questions. I will return to this place for sure.

I love that Fairmount Park has this outstanding cultural landmark! I enjoy my visits to the Shofuso Japanese House for special events (Cherry Blossom Or The Ancient Tea Ceremony Festivals)! The Cherry Blossom Festival is my favorite! This visit included me taking my family who was visiting from out of town for the Obon Festival! There were drummers; dancers; food trucks selling Dim Sum l. There were vendors selling traditional Japanese clothes; chopsticks; sake cups, etc! The Japanese House admission is $12 for adults; $8 for senior and students! It is a great place to check out and learn about different cultural traditions while enjoying beautiful scenery!

Must see if you are in philly! It's so beautiful with this organized nature feeling, and the descriptions of indoor Japanese housing reminds me of my trips to Japan. Hidden gem fr! It is not big at all so definitely plan out other things to do, they close at 5 and I was there for around 40 minutes because we went exploring the park outside of it but Shofuso is definitely good to see out and take pictures.

I got up very early to earn the "first person in line" status to enter this wonderful little garden I have only heard about! What beautiful grounds (even on the outside!) Very exciting just to see that great gate !! When the staff opened those doors and welcomed us in... they told us the rules because we're still experiencing Covid restrictions at this time. Wear mask at all times, take off shoes if you enter the house. Limited amount of folks on the grounds at all times. Don't walk on the bridge where it is roped off. So there is a wonderful Japanese house & tea room and a beautiful garden with Koi fish swimming around. At this time you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom. It was a beautiful day to be outside! Even the surrounding grounds had oodles and oodles of blooming pink and white cherry blossom! There are about three staff members that I saw that were able to help explain the Japanese House and Garden and it's history. You're very kind very helpful please know that you have to keep your mask on while on their property. It really was a wonderfully relaxing time to see such a gorgeous wooden home plopped in the center of all this for his nature. I really look forward to returning back to this little oasis in the middle of Philadelphia when the seasons change and I can see you maybe autumn colors and maybe attend one of their event. On a lovely positive note they have a gift shop which is one of my weaknesses and I had to buy some cherry blossom Chopsticks and one of their wonderful books that tell their story. Also if you're interested there are some original waterfall paintings on the shoji screens inside the house by Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju. Interesting to see!!

My wife and I came here on a trip through Philly on a very hot day. It isn't a terribly large building to tour, but it all appeared well done. I found the outside garden with the koi pond to be very enjoyable, and had a blast feeding the fish. Apparently, they must get a lot of food as they were practically forcing themselves over others to get to the food on the surface. The rest of the outside park was easily seen in about 10 minutes. The staff seemed friendly enough. While you could ask the staff any questions you had, I wish there were more display or interactive boards to explain things without having to ask questions.

I think this is a nice place to see one in your life. It is a small historical site right outside of downtown Philadelphia and it would be a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The place is surrounded by a larger park with lots of other things to do and areas for picnics. Parking can be a major hassle during the weekends and definitely during the spring time since everyone - and I mean everyone - is trying to bum rush the place. I think when I came here, the place was packed and it took 3 hours to get inside the place... yes, you heard me. 3 Hours. After about 2 hours of waiting, I was too stubborn to give up even though I was getting a tad bit hungry. Inside was small, but would have felt bigger if it was not as busy. They do have the house area where you have to take off your shoes to walk around. Then they have the outside garden area. The little bridge to the island looks pretty, but you can't walk on those. I can see why. They have koi fish everywhere and you can buy food to feed them. I recommend making a friend in line while you wait for 3 HOURS and split the cost of feeding the koi fish. Overall, it was a nice experience and if you want to see more cherry blossoms in the spring, you can easily see more at the park right outside. Also, if you can, the weekdays are probably much better for the experience and likely can get some nice shots without people everywhere.

One of the very many things I love about Philadelphia is that there are any number of places where you can visit-and I am talking within city limits-and feel like you are somewhere else; far far away from this metropolis of 1,600,000 with the noise and pot holes, the guns and poverty, the murals and SEPTA, the bad and the good. This serene Japanese oasis has graced Fairmount Park since 1957. I try to visit at the beginning of each season (it's open from mid March to mid December) because that allows me to really drink in the most beautiful parts of the year. Shofuso isn't 'just' a tea house; it also has a bathhouse and a kitchen as well as a koi pond with a waterfall, a tea garden, a bamboo forest, an island in the pond and a courtyard garden. It's a neat, breathtaking parcel of old Japan placed down in Fairmount Park. One of my favorite ways of freeing myself from writer's block and my mundane life is to go mid week, take off my shoes (mandatory) and sit and watch the koi. You can take a self guided tour or have a docent show you around and provide history and background. Neither choice is right or wrong-it just depends on what you have time and a need for. As many times as I've joined a guided tour, I always learn new things. One of the sweetest visits I had was on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The guide was a young student and it was touchingly apparent as she took our very small group through the property how much she revered and treasured the place. That made me love it even more. When I'm here, my breathing deepens, my heartbeat slows down and I can feel my shoulders moving down from just under my ears back to where they belong. My pace becomes leisurely, my senses feel sharper as I pick up on the sounds of a koi leaping from the pond for an insect, the twitter of birds, the fluid sound of water cascading down the rain chain in one of the small courtyards and the soft creak and delicate crunch as someone steps on the grass mats in the tea house. Even if you know nothing about history, architecture or Japan-how can you resist such a beautifully exotic escape that requires no luggage, ticket or passport for only $12? While a self guided tour can take less than an hour, there is nothing preventing you from spending a full morning or afternoon at Shofuso-walking, reclining, meditating, feeding the koi, sketching, taking pictures and renewing your spirit.

Beautiful Japanese garden and temple. A must visit when spring is in full bloom and anytime during the summer. Parking around the garden is usually full on weekends, but there is plenty of spots nearby. Line to get in takes 15-30 mins and its well worth the wait. The park around is perfect for a picnic spot! In summer they have outdoor eatery right next to the garden, and its party time!

A serene escape from the frenzy of the city. My partner and I were visiting Philadelphia for a few days and were hoping to experience some nature while there. We were beyond excited to visit Shofuso and had purchased two tickets the night before ($9 per ticket with student discount). That said, the house and garden were much smaller than what we had expected, and it took maybe 10-15 minutes max to tour the entire place once. The scenery was beautiful and it was a great experience, but I really wish there was more to see or do, to make it well worth the long ride and entrance fee.

Car got broken into in the parking lot. Not much help from the museum or police. It you go just be ready, the clerk told me they have break ins at least once a week.

3.5 stars. It's a beautiful Japanese house and garden. It's pretty small though. You're pretty much done within 15 minutes. The house is a traditional Japanese house all with the sliding doors and mats. To get into the house, you must take off your shoes. If you do not have socks, they have disposable socks for you to wear. Some of the rooms are closed off after their events so you're basically walking around the house if you miss the tea ceremony events. (Check their calendar beforehand, if interested.) The garden is very pretty, but it's a really short walk. You do not get to walk all the way around the pond. The koi in the pond are huge. Cost of entry: $10 for adults, $5 for kids and students Free parking

A short self guided tour of this cozy Japanese house and garden. The whole thing took us about a hour and only because the kids were feeding the koi fish. It was a nice break from the city and would go back again.

We were so excited to visit Shofosu house on our trip to PA. When we arrived we realized we forgot our Military and Student ID so we paid $15 per person for entry. We waited 2 hours and 15 mins in line so there was no turning back and full of determination. Once we entered we were a bit disappointed. The interior was empty, without any literature, exhibits, or information explaining Japanese culture or the home. It takes all of 3-5 minutes to look at the entire home so I am unsure why it took so long to get there. The staff was friendly, but I would not say it was worth the $30, 4 hour drive there, or the 2+ hour wait. Very disappointing there was zero Japanese or Asian history taught here.

It was very pleasant to see some Japanese history in Philly. This garden is located in such a green area that it healed me as soon as we started driving to the garden. There is an entrance fee but they have discounts for students so I paid $8. At first I wondered why there was an entrance fee for such a small house + garden but I'm reading that it's for upkeep and maintenance costs. It's such a quaint house and you learn about how Japanese people structured their rooms. For $2 you can feed koi fish which was really fun and relaxing to do. It's such a nice place to calm yourself from the city. They even had a table of stuff to buy so I got an incense holder.

This was a boring waste of time and money. You can see into it from the road, so there's no reason to stand in line and pay. It's tiny, they are intensely dedicated to their arbitrary rules, and I didn't get anything out of it. It is pretty, but it was also pretty to the people standing 2 feet away taking the same photos I was. I wish I hadn't gone in.

Shofuso Japanese House is a great place to stop and unwind while in Philadelphia. The garden and landscape is well maintained. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. While in the house, you'll have to take your shoes off to protect the old wooden floors. The place itself is small, expect to spend about 20 minutes there. There is an entrance fee of $12 to get in, but you can use Groupon for a discount. It's worth checking out if no nothing else just the solitude and peacefulness you'll find here!

A gorgeous indoor/outdoor tea house with garden in Fairmount. We went there for the Japanese tea ceremony, which is a lovely experience. A bit on the pricey side for sure ($40 per person) - they included explanations of the whole ceremony, and I was swept with a sense of deep peace and calm joining them. The tea ceremony is a daily ritual turned meditation, and at least for me, it was a reminder of the way all rituals can become embedded and infused with presence and meaning. The guide also played a Japanese flute solo at the end of the ritual, which was a gift and treat - I can't guarantee that would happen at future ceremonies. All participants in the ceremony were given a cup of hot matcha tea and Japanese snacks. We were invited to ask questions, to examine the pottery - we really felt like guests in a Japanese home. I think my favorite part was actually hearing from those who had mastered the ritual, about what it meant for them and why it continues to hold such meaning. Wouldn't mind a longer ceremony, actually - it is normally 4 hours long, and they've shortened it for the modern audience. The rest of the garden and grounds are beautiful and calming as well, with curated stone and bamboo gardens, and hungry koi fish in the pond.

The cultural center was pleasant but small. The lake, with the kois, was well manicured and aesthetically pleasing. With the large crowds, it was difficult to take pictures. But the real reason we drove down from NY was to catch the display of Sakura. As much as we hate to say it, we were rather disappointed with the display of trees. There were hardly any pink flowering trees and those that were were not well bloomed. There was a fair amount of white flowering trees, but they weren't as noticeable in the daylight. If you're from far away, I wouldn't recommend making the trip to see it.

Honest review here... if your coming from out of the area - make more plans than just this but definitely include a stop here. It took us about 25 minutes to go thru twice, at a slow pace. It is BEAUTIFUL and worth stopping and worth the entrance fee (upkeep costs $). Learn something while you're here, appreciate the simple beauty and the small details. Feed the fish - it's fun to watch them. Be respectful of the space and customs.

It was a beautiful, clear, sunny 6 days into into Spring 2021. This zen like place must be visited. The volunteers are welcoming, knowledgeable, and friendly. The location in Fairmount Park relishes in the natural beauty of the area. The Japanese House and Garden must be visited several times a year to appreciate the changes in seasons and the harmony and peace you feel as you explore and experience all that it has to offer. Can't wait to return. Shout out to all the volunteers especially Harris.

It's just one house and a small garden so I just wish it offered more for the trip there. I guess it's good for the area they were given for this garden and for the price ($20 per ticket onsite, $10 per ticket via Groupon). Maybe it'd be more worth it if we came on an event day. It only really takes about 15 minutes to go around the whole area, but we took our time because we wanted to get the most out of it. You do take off your shoes to get into the house, but they provide sheer socks. I recommend taking the time to read all the signs they set up to explain each area and what things were used for. We paid a couple dollars to be able to feed the koi fish. That part was pleasant and there were little turtles in the pond as well! They also have a pretty reasonably priced gift shop compared to other museum type gift shops I've been to. I'm a big tea drinker so I got to add some cute stuff to my collection. All in all, the place is nice and the aesthetic is very pleasing, but I still wish there were more to see & do.

Shofuso holds a special place in my heart because 20 years separate my first and second visits. I went to Shofuso on a preschool field trip - I have pictures to corroborate that. I had completely forgotten about it, until one of my best friends - who coincidentally went to preschool with me - suggested that we come here on a day when we were both doing a whole lot of nothing. So my time here was intensely nostalgic - the beautiful verdure certainly enhanced those feelings. WARNING: This place is as hidden as hidden gets. It took me over half an hour of circling and re-circling the various Belmont Ave. side streets to find the winding path you'll need to take to end up here. But part of Shofuso's magic is how tucked away it is. This isn't the type of place you'll just stumble upon. But that's why it's a lovely little wonderland. While I know next to nothing about Japanese culture, I still enjoy visiting Shofuso. You don't need to be a world history aficionado to appreciate this place. Just some natural curiosity and an appreciation for something literally and figuratively off the beaten path. The $7 entrance fee did strike me as a bit steep initially, but this place is immersive in such a calming way that I didn't mind in the end. Not only can you tour the house and get little lessons on each room (note: there are several rooms you are NOT allowed to enter...which is a lot for a tiny house), but the surrounding garden and pond offer a mini-escape for people like me who are constantly busy/plugged in. I will echo what others have said: this should not be your "day plan". You can see everything, talk to some of the staff and feed the koi in under and hour - and it won't be tight. This should just be an outing - maybe on your way into or out of Philly. Note: If you can, go take a peek at the koi. Unbeknownst to me, koi are meek little fish. I quickly found out that they are actually very, very big fish. And assertive ones at that. If they so much as sense the presence of food, those mouths will be fighting each other mercilessly immediately. It's quite the spectacle, I must say. My friend and I were entranced by them for quite a while. Their color, unusual gaping mechanism, their size...yet another attraction. I want to end on how serene this place is, which is why I enjoy it so much. The pictures do not do the garden/pond justice. It's a gorgeous little sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. These types of places are sorely underappreciated in this day and age. Sure, we took some pictures, but for the most part we allowed ourselves to be wrapped up in the natural beauty here. That kind of experience is a gift - one that's impossible to replicate in front of a computer or TV screen.

A little slice of peace and tranquility right in Philadelphia! I'm so glad I got to -finally- check out Shofuso Japanese House & Garden. Shofuso is located in Fairmount Park, and there is a small parking lot onsite. You must leave your shoes on a rack before entering the house (don't forget to bring socks!). The gardens are small but lovely, and I especially enjoyed the koi fish in the pond, which were enormous! The house is very interesting; some rooms you can walk through while others you can only look into from outside, but each room has a sheet with information so you can learn more about the function of the room. The docents were all tied up with leading other people around the house but I overheard some of the information which was quite interesting. If you can snag a docent to lead you around, do it! The wraparound porch overlooking the pond was a great place to sit and relax after the tour. I could see myself going back on a nice day simply to enjoy a refreshing mental break. Philadelphians: add this to your summer to-do list!

Quite beautiful but it's definitely not something you could make a day trip out of unless you wanted to do other things in the city. It is a small exhibit and I was there for maybe an hour at most. Price is reasonable. Guides are there to explain things in depth and there are a ton of koi in the pond for you to feed.

Don't go! My car was broken into yesterday and my computer and cell phone were stolen. Just avoid!

Very nice for a relaxing and brief stop during the day. Essentially it is a model of a traditional Japanese home of a middle to upperclassman perhaps from the 1700's. It is one home with a small koi pond. Nice to take a walk through and sit down and relax. Dont plan you're whole day around it but definitely put it om the agenda. Tiny but Very lovely and peaceful little place Word of advice: Drive i through the Horticulture Center, stay on the path on the left and keep driving the loop to reach the Japanese Garden. It does have a parking lot behind it so no need to leave your car at the horticulture center like i did lol.

Most beautifully peaceful place I have ever visited! Friendly staff, wonderfully kept grounds and an amazing peek into a different culture!

Skip this, dont come here unless you have nothing to do, it is TINY!! I came knowing this place is small but i was still surprised at how small it is. We finished strolling around the whole place (outside pond + inside the house) in 5mins. Definitely not worth the $7 per person especially if you have been to Japan.. Aside from the fact that this is small, i dont find it pretty at all either... My picture pretty much shows the whole back garden of this place. If you do decide to come, make sure to check in on yelp and get your free pair of chopsticks!

Beautiful place. Very relaxing, great to take a walk or sit and meditate. Will come again

A large group of us contacted Shofuso and asked if we were able to do a photoshoot at the gardens and they allowed us to. The tickets are very well priced for the experience, and they welcome students so make sure to bring your ID. The space is absolutely stunning and it really feels like you've stepped into Japan for the day. The plants, koi pond and the waterfall really add to the entire experience. I didn't want to leave ! It is clear the entire staff is very passionate about caring for the space, and they were so patient and accommodating with our large group. There was no time limit and you are able to move through the gardens at your own pace. If you decide to give Shofuso a try, please be respectful of their rules, and be sure to read up on their website before entering the gardens. Make sure to bring shoes that are easy to take on and off as well, since you will need to take your shoes off when entering the rooms and veranda. It is important that you do this out of respect for the space so it stays beautiful for future guests for years to come. Overall it was an amazing experience and I hope to return one day soon !

This is a hidden gem. I've gone into Philly and recently discovered this place and I must say that it is a great place to come on a nice day out. The environment is so relaxing. If you are able to do the tour, I strongly recommend doing so.

Environment: 5/5 - Very beautiful and peaceful but it's very small. I would recommend bringing socks if you're planning to go inside the house, but there isn't much in the house anyways. I would recommend going there for pictures only. It costs money, but if you're a college student, you'll get a discount!

This is a tranquil oasis in the middle of a gritty city. I bring my kids to this lovely place in Fairmount Park every summer. There are traditional Japanese tea ceremonies going on, and you can walk around the whole house and feel like you are in ancient Japan. The best thing is the huge pond out back filled with koi, turtles, and catfish. You can sit on the veranda and enjoy the beautiful landscape, or walk down the path and feed the fish. I'm struggling with the right words to describe this place fully, because it is so peaceful and pretty. It costs $12 for adults, and $8 for kids. It is simply breathtaking.

This is a beautiful spot in Fairmount Park! The tea house and pond are surrounded by a wall. It's an authentic Japanese tea house. The tea house is beautiful with amazing handiwork. The pond has koi fish and and water lilies. There's a fee to enter this area but you can walk around the grounds surrounding it. The pond and tea house are visible from outside on one side. The grounds surrounding it are also beautiful with lots of trees, grass and walking trails. There is space to picnic. In Mid April the cherry blossoms bloom and are spectacular! It's peaceful place to sit and relax.

A truly beautiful, spiritual, peaceful place located in the heart of Fairmount Park, just a stones throw from where the cherry blossoms bloom and The Horticultural Center sits. I feel a visit here is a must for anyone who lives remotely close, for it takes you a world away. The house was built in Japan in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials. It then was housed in the courtyard at MOMA in New York. It moved to Philadelphia in 1958 onto the site of several previous Japanese structures and gardens dating all the way back to 1876. Crackling bamboo, stunning koi that come right to the surface, bonsais, a tea garden, statue of Jizu, protector of children and travelers, it's all just so lovely! They often host fantastic events here such as their annual ancient tea ceremonies which happens along side the Cherry Blossom Festival each spring. This is a fanatic time to visit! My family has participated in bonsai planting workshops which are pricey, but also in a sense, priceless. Check their site for other special classes and events. My children and their friend all loved it here despite it being a calmer, quieter atmosphere. We practiced yoga and meditated. If that's your thing, go for it here. It's the perfect place to do so! No one will disrupt you. You will be asked to remove your shoes as it is a sign of respect in this culture. They will provided "peds" for you if you do not have socks. The gardens and house are only opened seasonally from April through October. Children under 3 are free. Kids 3 and up are just $5! Fab Philly Mom says: if your kids can behave themselves and respect the surroundings, definitely being them! Sit on the edge of the pond and make friends with friendly the koi!!

Well, after almost 8 years living in Philly, I finally made it to Shofuso Japanese House & Garden. Let me tell you something, Shofuso is not as "magical" as I thought it would be. Yet, you MUST visit at least once. Tips: - Romance: Go on a nice date, when the sun is shining and birds are chirping. - Japanese tradition: Wear socks or stockings, as you'll remove your shoes as a sign of respect. - Parking lot.: available - Cost: $8/adult. - Hours: April-October. Three and Half Yelps.