These Japanese Gardens in Florida are one of the most treasured cultural attractions in Palm Beach County and it ranks as the #1 attraction in Delray Beach.
You don't want to miss it! If you want some magnificent pictures of Japanese Gardens, you must visit Morikami Japanese Garden and bring the camera!
Beautiful Pictures of Japanese Gardens in Florida!
Morikami Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, Florida ranks 8th among more than 300 Japanese Gardens outside Japan. This ranking is by the Journal of Japanese Gardening.
There are six different gardens, each inspired by a different historical period and type of Japanese gardens. Morikami Japanese Garden is an expansive 200-acre Japanese garden of pure beauty and tranquility. You might it's say a place of true Zen.
Another Beautiful Picture of the Japanese Gardens
And, another Beautiful Picture of the Japanese Gardens
What Will You See?
You’ll see lots of bonsai trees, a bamboo forest, Japanese garden bridges, some beautifully designed Japanese garden waterfalls, rock gardens and water features, bright colored koi fish in the pond, and lush and serene beauty in every direction!
What Will You Hear?
I love the sound of water. Water, and especially the ocean, is always a molecular fix to my soul. Water symbolizes purity, clarity and calmness, and reminds us to cleanse our minds and souls of impurities.
There are lots of beautiful Japanese water features and soothing waterfalls like this one.
Soothing Japanese Waterfalls
On the nature trails you will likely see lots of wildlife such as turtles, lizards, iguanas and much more.
A Very Big Iguana
Suggestions For Your Morikami Japanese Garden Tour
FIRST SUGGESTION: Buy fish food before you begin your walk/tour. You’ll have fun feeding the fish.
The koi fish are vivid in colors of all varieties, they are huge and they love to be fed! And, so do the turtles!
SECOND SUGGESTION: Take advantage of the self-guided audio tour. This is free for members and $3 for nonmembers.
It takes you through the design and history of Japanese gardens and provides you with information on the Japanese museum as well.
There is also a family fun track which is excellent for your kids! It’s specifically designed for your children with questions and ideas that will interest them.
THIRD SUGGESTION: You'll want to wear comfortable shoes and allow yourself a minimum of at least two hours.
Or, if you're like me, and you really enjoy the tranquility of nature, and if the sound of water soothes your soul like it does mine, you just might find yourself spending the entire day here at Morikami Japanese Gardens in Florida.
FOURTH SUGGESTION: Bring the camera! You'll want to get lots of beautiful pictures of your tour of these Japanese Gardens.
History of Japanese Gardens
Let me give you a brief history of the Japanese Gardens...
In 1973, the property that is now Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden was generously donated to Palm Beach County by George Morikami.
In 1979, this property was developed to become what we now know as Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden.
In 1993, a second building was opened to meet the demands of a growing community and the popular demand for a Japanese garden in Florida and Japanese culture in Florida.
The second building is the main Morikami museum building and features the exhibition galleries, a 225-seat theater, an authentic tea house with viewing gallery, a library, classrooms, Japanese museum store, cafe and lakeside terrace with a Japanese courtyard garden.
In 2001, The Morikami completed a major garden expansion and renovation. The new modern Japanese garden now reflects major periods of Japanese garden design, from the 18th century to the 20th century.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden is one of the most treasured cultural attractions in Palm Beach County and it ranks as the #1 attraction in Delray Beach.
Enjoy Morikami Sushi Stroll in the Summer Months May Through September
In the summer months May through September consider taking a break and do the sushi stroll at Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden and enjoy The Morikami Sushi and Stroll Sunset Walk Event from 5:30 – 8:30 PM.
If you’re a member, you get in for free! Non-members pay $7, kids 4-17 pay $5 and kids 3 and under are free.
Grab yourself a tasty beverage (beer, wine, soda, water, whatever) from their café on premises, and then take a stroll and enjoy a breathtaking sunset along the walking path through the tranquil Japanese gardens.
During the Morikami Sushi and Stroll event, the Japanese gardens are open for you to stroll through and peacefully enjoy at your own pace.
The café and store are both open too, but you might want to make note that the museum exhibits are closed during the Sushi and Stroll event.
For entertainment and back by popular demand is Ronin Taiko, with his Japanese taiko drumming ensemble that electrified audiences in last year's Morikami Sushi Stroll at The Morikami.
Tickets for the performances are an additional $2. Performances are at 6:30 PM & 7:30 PM each evening. Seating is limited. Tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 5:30 PM.
Oshogatsu Japanese New Year Celebration Held in January Every Year
The Morikami's Traditional New Year celebratory festival includes games and entertainment throughout the museum and its gardens. A New Year's Celebration -- Japanese Style!
Hatsume Fair Held in March Every Year
Celebrate the first bud of spring, with Morikami's largest annual event, The Hatsume Fair. This festival transforms the normally tranquil Morikami Park into a unique Japanese spring festival.
The Bon Festival Held In August Every Year
The Morikami celebrates Bon Festival in one fun-packed evening in the month of August.
Highlights include rousing taiko drum performances, traditional Japanese folk dancing with audience participation, ghost stories, and a street fair with games and shop stalls.
The highlight of the evening begins at sunset when Morikami Pond is transformed into a tranquil sea when lighted lanterns are turned loose on the pond.
And a special fireworks display caps the enchanting evening.
Family Fun Activities and Other Fun Events at Morikami
You'll find activities and classes like Japanese language, flower arrangements classes, garden photography, tea demonstrations, garden design workshops, Japanese writing through calligraphy and a lot more!
The Family Fun Programs are offered on Saturdays and are made for the entire family to enjoy!
Learn and explore about Japanese culture through hands-on arts and crafts projects and make things like wind chimes, Valentine fun thingies, Japanese fans and more in an open workshop environment.
Admission Information
Open 10 AM - 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
Morikami is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach.
Owned and operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, in public-private partnership with the Morikami, Inc.
Testimonials
Don't miss the annual Bon Festival in August. Bring bug spray because you'll need it. However, it is beautiful at night when they launch all the little Japanese lanterns onto the lake and at the end of the evening is a firework display!
The layout is quite nice and consists of a variety of Japanese gardens laid out in a large park area along with a small museum of Japanese art capturing the history of Japanese Gardens in Florida. The surrounding lake is filled with koi fish and local wildlife.
We visited in November and the gardens were still beautiful.
Each section of the walking tour provided another reflective garden, representing different eras and styles associated with Japanese gardens. We also ate lunch at the Cornell Cafe and it was surprisingly good Japanese food.
Across the street is a beautiful Orchid garden, American Orchid Society. It's not associated with this garden but it is definitely a MUST-SEE!
You will never tire of seeing the amazing bonsai trees, the koi fish, the turtles, the iguanas, the Japanese rock gardens, the bamboo forest or all the other wonderful exhibits in the Morikami museum.
Bamboo Forest
The gardens are very tranquil and to get the most out of your walk you should get the audio tape or go with a guide.
It's so amazing. I have been three times in the last 4 months and I live two hours away.
If you’re a member, you get in for free! Non-members pay $7, kids 4-17 pay $5 and kids 3 and under are free.
The Morikami celebrates Bon Festival in one fun-packed evening in the month of August.
