Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Art museum · Palm Beach County ·
Japanese gardens, art, and culture with tranquil waterfalls
Japanese gardens, art, and culture with tranquil waterfalls
"In Delray Beach, this serene escape offers 16 acres of tranquil Japanese gardens and landscapes—a meditative, nature‑rich counterpoint to the area’s high‑gloss social whirl." - Lisa A. Beach
"The Palm Beaches offer a sunny New Year's with shopping, dining, and live music. Resorts host celebrations, and cultural attractions like the Norton Museum of Art provide entertainment." - Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina,
"Take an excursion to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, about a 20-minute drive west of downtown. The museum pays tribute to Yamato, a colony formed by Japanese farmers that moved to the area in 1904, and sits on 200 acres, 16 of which are traditional Japanese gardens designed by Hoichi Kuriso. The museum houses Japanese art and artifacts along with rotating exhibits."
"In 1906, 19-year-old George Morikami immigrated to the United States after being recruited (along with many other Japanese farmers) to join the Yamato Colony located in what is now Boca Raton, Florida. The purpose behind establishing the Yamato Colony was to form a community of Japanese farmers, mostly from Miyazu, Japan, who would cultivate pineapples in South Florida. However, due to pineapple blight in 1908 and increased competition from cheaper pineapples from Cuba, the Yamato Colony was not a success. After only a few years many of the colony’s farmers left Yamato and relocated to other parts of the United States, while some even returned back to Japan. Subsequently, as the United States entered World War II, what remained of Yamato Colony was claimed by the U.S. Government, and used to create an Army Air Corps training base. In spite of all of this George Morikami stayed the area, moving to the neighboring city of Delray Beach, and by the end of the war he had purchased a farm. After farming in South Florida for more than 65 years, George Morikami donated his 200 acres of farmland to Palm Beach County in 1973. Three years later he passed away at age 89. His ashes were returned to Miyazu, and in his honor Delray Beach, FL is now a sister city to Miyazu, Japan. Today, The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens are open to visitors, and with its brilliantly manicured gardens, fascinating wildlife, appetizing cafe, and informative exhibits, truly provides guests with an oasis for the mind, body, and stomach." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
"At the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, I was transported away from Florida by exhibits that pay homage to Japanese culture and art and by lush, landscaped gardens featuring tranquil waterfalls, ponds, forests, and an impressive bonsai collection." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines