I received complementary tickets to facilitate this post. However, all opinions are my own.
I’ve never been to Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens but I have heard so many great things about it. Mostly, about the beauty of the gardens. So, when I took my son, I wasn’t surprised at the magnitude of beauty that was there. But I was surprised at my lack of knowledge about the history of Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens coming to be. It’s quite interesting!
Driving up Yamato Road, I never thought too much about this street. I never knew that there was once a Yamato Colony; Japanese farmers living in present-day northern Boca Raton. While the pioneering community of Japanese settlers is no longer here in Boca Raton because they were dispersed during World War II.
Yamato’s name (an ancient name for Japan) lives on today thanks to the founder George Morikami, who opened Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in 1977.
As you wander the gardens you are surrounded by beautiful waterfalls. It is so calm and serene, you’ll want to sit for a while and take it in.
Sometimes, the hustle and bustle of life keeps us from forgetting the beauty that surrounds us. My son is always going and running but he sat for a while and when I impatiently told him to “let’s go” he jumped, and I caught him in a moment of peace. He told me that he was enjoying the breeze that just came over him. This was a moment I will never forget as I try to teach him to live in the moment and enjoy nature and what the universe has to offer. I will never forget that moment. Minutes before, I was telling him to pick up his feet when he walked. He enjoyed scuffing his shoes in the dirt as many boys do.
And then he pointed out a pine cone! So pretty…
Morikami’s gardens, named Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew, were designed to be a living exhibit complementing the museum. Here in Roji-en, designer Hoichi Kurisu sought to create a garden complex for the new millennium. Its six distinct gardens are inspired by, but are not replicas of, famous gardens of Japan. Kurisu has created a unique garden conceived and constructed in the spirit of the masters.
We fed turtles and ducks at Koi Pool & Kameshima (Turtle Island).
I enjoyed the beautiful Japanese plants that we don’t see out and about. This “droopy” one was one of my favorites.
There is so much to see, you need to plan a day there. There’s always events too like the Hatsume Fair coming up April 21st and 22nd.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has a great Gift Shop inside and also online. There is also a museum with exhibitions, collections, and a Tea House.
It offers different cultural programs and workshops, family fun days and children’s tours.
Morikami offers an assortment of Japanese cultural and art classes taught by experienced instructors. Class sessions run from 1 to 2 months each.
Morikami hosts 1 and 2-day workshops on diverse cultural arts and language taught by local and guest instructors. Regular workshops run at least an hour-and-a-half and include museum admission in the price. Mini workshops are one hour and do not include museum admission in the reduced price.
To volunteer click HERE.
For private events such as weddings and garden ceremonies click HERE.
Hours
- Monday: CLOSED
- Tuesday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Wednesday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Thursday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Admission
- Morikami Members: FREE!
- Adults (ages 18+): $15
- Seniors (65+) $13
- Military (with ID): $13
- College Students (with ID): $11
- Children (ages 6-17): $9
- Children 5 and under: FREE!
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