The Shofuso Japanese house was built in Japan in 1953 with traditional materials and techniques. It was exhibited in the courtyard of the Museum of Modern Art in New York before being moved to Philadelphia in 1958.

The 1953 Shofuso Japanese House and Garden landscape created by landscape architect Tansai Sano of Kyoto, Japan in historic Fairmount Park in Philadelphia has been restored, thanks to $75,000 raised by Friends of the Japanese House and Garden. The house and garden, considered the most authentic Japanese site outside of Japan, are modeled after those in 17th-century Japan.

A great deal lot of sludge was dredged to deepen the pond, which is home to koi. The masonry banks were rebuilt, the island expanded and the waterfall restored. This Japanese walled and fenced garden includes an island, a tea garden and a courtyard garden.