Japan House aims to make the beauty of traditional Japanese arts and culture accessible to everyone.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Professor Emeritus Shozo Sato. Sato sensei lived an extraordinary ninety-one years, leaving a long legacy of achievements and accomplishments.
Register for upcoming public events via EventBrite! Join us for a public tea ceremony and other events. Please enjoy strolling the Arboretum as summer flowers come into bloom!
The tea garden is currently closed for construction of the Ogura-Sato Annex. The Arboretum remains free and open to the public at this time. Japan House is a university teaching facility and the building is used as a classroom for students taking university courses in Japanese arts and aesthetics during the week. For public events and programming, please visit our EventBrite for more information. If you have any questions, please email us at japanhouse@illinois.edu.
Shop Online for delightful gifts and other wellness items from Japan House. Wagashi: Season by Season by Kimiko Gunji is available for purchase!
Plan your Visit
Study at Japan House
Study Opportunities
University Classes
Community Classes
Internship Opportunities
Through cultural courses and seminars, community outreach programs, and international visiting artists, Japan House builds bridges and generates connections that unite us in our collective humanity.
Japan House offers a variety of comprehensive classes in traditional Japanese arts for both University of Illinois students as well as community members.
Learn More
Urasenke Tea Ceremony
Urasenke is one of the main schools of tea in Japan with history and tradition going back 400 years.
Our History
The roots of Japan House go back to the 1960s teachings of Shozo Sato. This permanent facility opened in 1998 under the direction of Kimiko Gunji.
The Grounds
Japan House is surrounded by Japanese gardens, including a tea garden, a dry rock garden, and an allée of fifty cherry trees.