Japanese House and Garden, Traditional Japanese garden in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, US.
The Japanese House and Garden is an authentic residence from Japan set within a landscaped garden featuring a pond, waterfall, and traditional bridges in West Fairmount Park. Wooden posts and carefully selected trees create a traditional Japanese setting in the middle of Philadelphia.
The house was built in Japan in 1953 and first displayed at New York's Museum of Modern Art before moving to Philadelphia in 1958. This relocation made it the first authentic Japanese residential structure on the East Coast of the United States.
The house was created as a gift symbolizing friendship between Japan and the United States. Visitors walk through rooms designed with Japanese principles that shape how spaces feel and function.
The site is typically open to visitors from April through October, with guided tours and occasional tea ceremonies available. Check in advance for any special events and consider the weather when planning a visit.
Inside are twenty wall murals by artist Hiroshi Senju created in 2007 specifically for this location. These large-scale artworks depict waterfalls and significantly shape the experience of walking through the house.
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