Morikami Japanese Gardens

Day Trip #2 - A visit to Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens located in Delray Beach, FL between West Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale. ​​Morikami includes 6 distinct garden areas spanning 16 acres, two museum buildings, the Cornell Cafe, Sheishin-an Tea House and a lovely gift shop featuring Japanese art, tea sets & kimonos. There is also a 200 acre park to explore with trails, pine forests & picnic areas. We had an incredible day but did not see it all.

Wow - This is the exterior landscaping as you walk in from the parking lot!!

• Adult Admission for non-members is $15 per person with discounted rates for seniors, military, students & children. Members enjoy free admission.
• Plan ahead for groups, limited admission & contactless payments (no cash). 
• Hand sanitizer stations & bottled water are available. 
• Face masks are required in all indoor areas as well as outdoors when unable to maintain 6' social distance. 
• Sheishin-an Tea House & Yamato-kan are temporarily closed due to COVID. 
• Cornell Cafe has reduced seating. Outdoor patio dining is available. (We were full from breakfast so we did not try the cafe. Next time!)

The Morikami Japanese Gardens provides an experience unlike botanical gardens. Maps are provided to identify key areas but there is very little signage and no plant identification markers. Nothing to distract from the garden's purpose; personal insight, discovery and invigoration. There is no "right way" to interpret this garden.

​
​Roji-en

Garden of the
Drops of Dew

Designed by
Hoichi Kurisu

Visit Morikami's website, it's full of interesting info!

Roji-en ​Plant
​Identification Guide​

Shinden Garden
Heian Period - 9th to 12th Century
Incorporates lakes & islands. Meant to be viewed by boat.

Paradise Garden
Kamakura & Early Muromachi Period - 13th to 14th Century
Pure land "Buddha Heaven." Meant for strolling.

Early Rock Garden
Early Muromachi Period - 14th Century
Often inspired by Chinese ink paintings. May include dry waterfalls.

Karesansui Late Garden
Muromachi Period - 15th to 16th Century
Karesansui "dry landscapes" use rocks but few plants. Known as Zen gardens.

Hiraniwa Flat Garden
Edo Period - 17th to 18th Century
Shakkei "borrowed scenery" incorporates background landscape into garden designs.

Modern Romantic Garden
Meiji Period - Late 19th to Early 20th Century
Drew influence from nature. Gardens more modern but less abstract.

Morikami Falls

Lanterns, Statuary & Water Features

Flora

Fauna

I sought good fortune but was content to find happiness.

Hotei
​
​The Laughing Buddha

God of Contentment
​and Happiness

One of the
Shichi-fuku-jin
"Seven Gods of Luck"

Jason found wisdom.

Chie no Wa Wisdom Ring

The Wisdom Ring is a replica of the 500 year old stone lantern that stands at a Buddhist Temple dedicated to Monju, the God of Wisdom, in Miyazu, Japan.

This Wisdom Ring was donated by the citizens of Miyazu, Japan. A gift to their American "sister city" Delray Beach to honor and commemorate Morikami's 20 year anniversary.

The Bamboo Grove

It's impossible for me to choose a favorite garden at Morikami. They were all so different. However, I have to give a special mention to the bamboo grove. It was simple but offered an unexpected surprise. The bamboo grove is a living wind chime planted for sound. Beautiful & so relaxing. 

​Our visit to Morikami Japanese Gardens was an experience to remember & repeat. Japanese gardening might not be your style. Go anyway! This garden is worth a visit. Morikami is inspiring on so many levels. Incredibly beautiful, peaceful and calming. As I left the gardens I couldn't help but notice how good I felt.

Morikami Japanese Gardens & Museum is so spectacular I couldn't fit it all into one blog post. Coming up next, a look at Morikami's extensive Bonsai Collection & a visit to the Japanese Museum. Keep following.