A Japanese Garden In South Florida - Morikami Garden

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a center for Japanese arts and culture in Delray Beach, Florida. There are two museums and the gardens in a 188.5-acre site that is named after George Morikami. George, a native of Miyazu, Japan, who donated his farm to be used for this park, was the only member of the Yamato Colony, Florida to stay in the area after World War II. The principal museum here was opened in 1993 and there are six historical gardens with bridges, waterfalls and ornamental statuary.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The Yamato Colony was an attempt to create a community of Japanese farmers in souther Florida in the early 20th century.

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With the encouragement of the Florida authorities, as many as 75 Japanese men, some with families were recruited to live here.

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Yamato Colony: The Pioneers Who Brought Japan to Florida

By Kawai, Ryusuke

Delray Beach

By Credle-Rosenthal, McCall

The Art of the Japanese Garden: History / Culture / Design

By Young, David, Young, Michiko

There were many difficulties involved and the colony never grew as planned and gradually declined and was finally dispersed during World War II.

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The Model Land Company was created by Henry Flagler to hold title to the land granted to his Florida East Coast Railway. The company encouraged settlements. Jo Sakai, an New York University graduate purchased 1,000 acres from Model Land Company.

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Sakai recruited young men from his home town of Miyazu to settle here, some grown pineapples until the Pineapple blight of 1908 destroyed the crops.

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As a result many of the colony returned to Japan or relocated to other areas in the United States. The only member of the Yamato Colony to stay in the areas was George Morikami, who continued to farm in neighboring Delray Beach.

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A traditional gravestone for George Morikami was erected in 1989 as a gift from the people of Miyazu, his hometown.

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Hotei, the resident god of happiness

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Chie No Wa Wisom Ring is a replica of a 500-year-old stone lantern

Inside the museum galleries

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What you should know:

• There are walking trails throughout the various gardens.

• Restrooms are available.

• Free parking is available on-site.

• Garden tours are self-guided.

• Tickets can be purchased on-site.

• Staff is friendly and informative.

• You could spend a couple of hours to an entire day exploring here, depending on your level of interest.

• Check website for days and hours of operation, as well as special events calendar.

Location: 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446

For more information: Morikami Garden & Museum