Morikami Japanese Garden
Morikami Japanese Gardens in Florida
Japanese Gardens in Florida….If you want some magnificent pictures of Japanese Gardens, you must visit Morikami Japanese Garden! 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. Morikami Japanese Garden is an expansive 200-acre Japanese garden of pure beauty and tranquility. You might say a place of true Zen.
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. What will you see at Morikami Japanese Garden? You’ll see lots and lots of bonsai trees, Japanese garden bridges, some beautifully designed Japanese garden waterfalls, Japanese water features, bright colored koi fish in the pond (you can buy food to feed them), and on the nature trails you will likely see lots of wildlife. A camera is a must for some exclusive pictures of Japanese Gardens!
Two 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.
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.
Sushi and Stroll
Morikami Japanese Garden
In the summer months of June through September take a break 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! Nonmembers pay $5, and children 6 and under are free. Grab yourself a tasty beverage (beer, wine, soda, water) from their café on premises, and then take a stroll and enjoy a breathtaking sunset along the walking path through the tranquil Japanese garden. During the 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 at last year’s Sushi & Stroll at The Morikami. Tickets to the Ronin Taiko 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.
2009 Sushi and Stroll Schedule
June 13, 2009
July 11, 2009
August 15, 2009
September 11, 2009
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.The Morikami Museum & Japanese Garden is a lovely place! This place is fantastic. The Japanese garden is beautiful and well kept. My friend and I also ate at the Cornell Cafe, the Japanese food there was good. You must go and the prices were just right. I am not a specialist of Japanese gardens but I loved very much the place. 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. I found the place really relaxing and is of course very suitable for meditation. Also - not to be missed - next door is the American Orchid Society... an Orchid lover's heaven. 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 worth a visit nevertheless! First, the Morikami Japanese Garden is not to be missed. I'm not really a garden person but these were outstanding. 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. You will see large (iguanas) and small lizards roaming free. A friend took me to Morikami and shared some insights into the Japanese garden. There is meaning in everything in the gardens so at a minimum you should get the audio tour. If there is a docent tour, you should to that. The gardens should help you relax and release your mind for the time you are there. There is a spectacular bonsai garden, little waterfalls, the talking bamboo, just a few of the many distinct areas in the Japanese gardens. We were blown away by the layout and the beauty of the place. It's so amazing. I have been three times in the last 4 months and I live two hours away, and can't wait to go again. The peace and quiet is so relaxing and enjoyable I leave feeling like I just left from getting a massage. My favorite part is the bamboo forest, especially if I am the only one walking through at that moment. When the wind rustles the leaves it sounds like the most gentle of rain storms. Then you hear the beautifully eerie creak of the bamboo; it puts your mind into a relaxed state. You will never tire of seeing the amazing bonsai trees, the koi and turtles, the Japanese rock gardens or the wonderful exhibits in the Morikami museum.
Morikami Japanese Garden Information
Open 10 AM - 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday. 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. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors, $6.00 for children and students ages 7 to 17 and free for members and kids 6 and under.
Summer Passes
Morikami Japanese Garden
Limited Offer
Now offering a new summer pass for only $25.00! With a summer pass, 20 visitors will gain free admission to The Morikami from May through September, including the Sushi and Stroll and the signature summer Bon Festival in August. The pass is also good for 10% off in the Cornell Cafe and Morikami Museum store. The pass can be purchased online or at the museum. A limited amount available, first come, first serve. The Morikami Japanese Garden is open year-round. This site will soon be updated with more history of Japanese Gardens in Florida and with more pictures of Japanese Gardens, so do check back!
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