EKŌ-Haus der Japanischen Kultur e.V. — Attraction in Dusseldorf

Well I am with EKO house for more than 20 years ... So it's for me like a second home. The atmosphere of its garden and temple is something that can help people to feel better after spending there a while far from everything else...but sure it depends on the individual's sensetivity and open mind to find silent communication at this place. There are many I saw just walking through looking and taking pictures which is possible as long people are not misusing this place as their private stage to look a bit more famous to others... If a stage-like photo session is wanted this can be dealt by a special request to the general manager of EKO House...EKO house presents a complete temple installation where people meet and celebrate their religion. There are several rooms underneath the temple which are used for different events and exhibitions about the Japanese culture. It includes every year several courses for people who want to learn the Japanese language or Japanese arts like ikebana or calligraphy. Once a month you can watch Japanese movies in another room underneath the kindergarten. One who wants to get to know Japan and its culture will find at EKO House several opportunities which will need some extra budget. It is not really possible to meet Japanese people you may talk to like to a neighbor or friend ... This is not about EKO house alone...it's one of the biggest problems in Germany that all foreign people are living separately from our culture with few exceptions...since corona the EKO house could not be visited as before and still it seems like the number of regular events still has not reached yet the quantity as before ...like we had no summer festival again...so we are looking out for 2024 that we should have this event again. For pictures see the home page or just google navigation and street view as well. You are well advised to use the EKO site to check all news there because I have met numerous people already standing in front of the locked gate... that must not be like that and feeling bad about the lost time and money. There is still a lack of manpower and money which keeps the EKO houss quite silent and even the design is no longer as perfect as it used to be......

OK sooo I really like Japanese culture and architecture. I wanted to see that up close and personal and I thought yeah it's perfect place let's go.... Unfortunately we were disappointed to the point that we couldn't believe that we paid for that 🤣 but anyways interior and whole experience was something that I would NOT recommend even if they pay to come and visit.... When you go outside it is a bit better because there traditional buildings and garden but jet again small "river/pond" for Koi fishes is empty there is no water and of course no fishes 😅 One more thing they have this policy about taking Photos that is really wierd and contradict itself 🤣 worker there told me that for privat use I can make photos but not post them online and I thought he meant for commercial use or so, but NOP he ment online in general and explanation why was that:"... well "SOMEONE COULD SEE THE PHOTOS"..... No S** thats the point of photography.... SOMEONE TO SEE IT.... And I paid for it soo anyways this is just informative/news/documentary review so any photo that doesn't violates someone's personal life and deep privacy is allowed and I hope it will help them to understand that this is not what they have advertised and 101% not what I was expecting and what is presented through their "controlled marketing". There is this poster inside that says/illustrates that normal photographer/tourist/visitors are allowed to take photos but something like planed Photo Shoots with models and Weddings etc are not allowed (which is completely understandable and I support it).... I didn't read any reviews but I saw their photos and marketing materials and it was amazing until I went there personally 😂 soooo point is read others opinions and reviews DO NOT FALL for controlled marketing and presentations.... I struggle to take few photos to at least appreciate and show beautiful Japanese architecture and tradition because of poor presentation and experience in general.... I tried my...

I loved the peaceful moment I had there!

They don't work on weekends. They also don't work on Monday. So, make sure to go any other day if you want to visit the garden. The visit to the garden is free, the only requirement is not to be loud, as to not disturb the peace.

You can visit the museum for 3.5€ as of May 2025, not sure about prices later.

In the museum, you have the bottom hall which explores the Japanese letters, and the explanation is given in German, if you don't know it or don't have someone to explain, then you are not going to enjoy that part. The second part of the museum is when you have to take off your shoes and wear the white socks, then you explore traditional Japanese house. If you are young(er), you'll probably geek out like I did. You can keep or throw socks to trash.

I went solo but if you want to relax you'll need like 30-50mins for both the Garden and Museum.

And also I'd like to thank the receptionist at the desk in museum for being very kind and sweet. Arigato...