The Japanese House and Garden
Fairmount Park ,Philadelphia
Admission: $2.50, $2.00 for reserved group members, seniors, students
Free for children 6 and under
Hours: May through October, 
Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00am-4:00pm

For a different sort of experience during your Philadelphia excursion, don't overlook the Japanese House and Garden, located in Fairmount Park.  The Garden aims to promote intercultural understanding through cultural and educational programs, and to preserve, maintain and exhibit Shofuso, the house, and the surrounding garden.  This is a beautiful, quiet, and often-overlooked site, but one that's well worth a visit.

The Japanese House was built in the style of an early 17th-century palatial residence, complete with a formal tea complex as well as a garden.  The site used to be occupied by a gate from a Buddhist temple, which was brought to the United States back in 1904.  The house that currently occupies the space in Fairmount Park was a gift from the Japanese government in honor of the Bicentennial.

The house is connected to the teahouse by a wooden bridge, providing the perfect atmosphere for truly appreciating the setting.  Although small in size, the teahouse displays a replica of traditional wooden bath and toilet facilities.

The garden itself is worthy of the price of admission.  Beautiful plants and rocks give way to a placid stream under which "golden carp" live and feed, and paths lead straight to the house's front entrance.  Look for bamboo, pine, and azaleas, among other flora, which really brighten the path and provide an authentic experience.

If you're looking for something off Philly's beaten path, you can't go wrong with a visit to the Japanese House and Garden.  It's quiet and completely authentic scenery and furniture illustrate the lifestyle of the 16th and 17th-century Japanese, and the peaceful atmosphere is perfect for a mid-afternoon break from the hustle and bustle.