As spring slowly creeps in each year, the cherry blossoms begin to bloom and form arches of color above the pathways winding through the University of Illinois Arboretum.
These paths surround Japan House, a beautiful spot set apart from the regular business of campus but still close enough to make the perfect date destination. When Champaign-Urbana feels a little too much like the middle of nowhere, few spots are better and more convenient than this for your romantic afternoon getaway.
Originally a Victorian house that was renovated for educational purposes, Japan House was founded by Professor Emeritus Shōzō Satō, who initially visited the University as an artist-in-residence at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in 1964. From the original house’s construction in 1975, Japan House stands today as a testament to Satō’s contributions to cultural arts education at the University.
You might be looking to impress that special someone with one of the more beautiful cultural spaces the University has to offer, or you’re just looking for a picnic spot that isn’t the Main Quad. Either way, Japan House has what you need to find romance on campus.
