It is approximately 7,400 miles from Delray Beach to Tokyo. But, thanks to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, you don’t have to endure a 16-hour plane ride to experience the Land of the Rising Sun. Built on land donated by George Sukeji Morikami—a settler from the Yamato agricultural community—the Morikami is an ever-evolving ode to Japan’s interminable beauty.
The gardens, named Roji-en or Garden of the Drops of Dew, offer an escape from daily life, one that allows visitors to step back in time to eras of peaceful ponderings and inward reflections. Beyond the flora, the Morikami excels at bringing Japanese culture past and present to life.
Festivals like the Hatsume spring fair illustrate the country’s passion for popular culture, while demonstrations like Sado: The Way of Tea highlight its deep connection to tradition. The property also hosts temporary exhibitions that delve into various Japanese themes. This year, the museum explored the incarceration of Japanese-American citizens during WWII, the evolution of bamboo baskets, and the artistry of Japanese tattoo traditions—a man even got inked onstage at the exhibition opening.
Throughout the year, the Morikami imbues its stunning gardens with happenings like the Hatsume Fair, a festival celebrating the start of spring and the best of Japanese current and ancient culture.
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