Trips
Shofuso Tea House
Every fall we take a group of students to the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden for a tour of the grounds and an authentic traditional tea ceremony led by a local tea master. The Japanese house, built in 16th century style, is located on the grounds of the Horticultural Center in the West Philadelphia section of Fairmount Park. The perfectly proportioned architecture of the main structure and adjoining tea house is enhanced by an ornamental garden and picturesque pond.
For more information on the tea house, visit their
website!
UN/Mitsuwa Market
Every spring we take a trip to the United Nations in New York City followed by a stop at Mitsuwa Marketplace right across the Hudson River in New Jersey. We spend the morning at the United Nations where we go on a guided tour of the building. On our way home we stop at Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese grocery store on the East Coast, which offers a large variety of Japanese foods and products. Adjacent to the grocery store are Japanese and Asian related specialty stores with toys, books, magazines, crafts, clothing, ceramics, and electronics. There is also a large selection of Japanese restaurants and cafes.
For more information on the marketplace, visit their
website!
Cherry Blossom Festival
Every year the Japan-America Society of Washington D.C. hosts the Japanese Street Festival as part of the annual 2-week National Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri). The Japanese Street Festival brings together local, national, and even international vendors, musicians, and performers to celebrate the blossoming of the 3,000 cherry trees given to the people of Washington D.C. by the city of Tokyo in 1912. Activities include Japanese arts and crafts, games, shopping, musical performances, martial arts demonstrations, food vendors, and more.
For more information on the festival, visit their
website!