In a clearing in West Fairmount Park stands a complete 17th-century-style Japanese house, built in Nagoya in 1953 and presented to the Museum of Modern Art in New York before being relocated to Philadelphia in 1958 as a gift to the city. Shofuso — "Pine Breeze Villa" — is one of the most authentic traditional Japanese structures outside Japan, constructed by master craftsmen using cypress and hinoki wood joinery without nails, and surrounded by a garden designed by Sano Toemon VIII, one of Japan's most celebrated garden designers.
The koi pond, waterfall, and tea garden are stunning in all seasons — especially in spring during cherry blossom time, when the trees around the pond bloom simultaneously. Inside, the fusuma screens were painted by artist Hiroshi Senju in 2014, adding contemporary Japanese art to a building that otherwise faithfully represents the Shoin style of 400 years ago. The teahouse holds regular ceremonies and seasonal events. Getting here requires a car or the Fairmount Park trolley; it is worth the effort.