by Cummings, Jay

Every city I’ve ever visited or lived in has a bevy of secret spots tucked away amidst the more common attractions.  They’re usually cheap or free, typically overlooked by most visitors and residents, and sometimes tucked right in the heart of the city itself.  Here in Philadelphia if you can get past the throngs of cheese steak eaters and constitutional historians, a spot that I go back to again and again is the Japanese House, an intimate architectural wonder, and an incredibly peaceful respite in the middle of a bustling city.  It’s the kind of place you can go to on a sunny spring Sunday, and not have to fight off a swarm of tourists.