Botanical Gardens Day

In honor of National Botanical Gardens day, we were able to get free admission to the Japanese House in Fairmount Park.

Here's a little blurb off their website about what it is:

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is a traditional-style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park that reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia, from the 1876 Centennial Exposition to the installation of its contemporary paintings in 2007.

Shofuso was built in Japan in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials and exhibited in the courtyard at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It was moved to Philadelphia in 1958, to the site of several previous Japanese structures dating to the 1876 Centennial Exposition. In 2007, internationally renowned artist Hiroshi Senju, inspired by our waterfall, donated 20 murals to Shofuso. A viewing garden with koi pond and island, a tea garden, and a courtyard garden comprise the 17th century-style Japanese walled and fenced garden of this historic site and museum.

Since it's so close, we've been meaning to get there for quite some time, but never have. We're glad we finally did. It was a gorgeous day and the house and gardens we just amazing. Partake of some pictures:

The Becks went with us, and Oliver particularly loved the koi fish. We got some fish food and fed the fish. I wish I'd gotten some pictures of Oliver doing that because it was just adorable.

Now we can cross the Japanese House off our list of things still to do in Philadelphia.