The collections of the Morikami Museum focus on objects that help generate an understanding of the culture of Japan, particularly the period during which the Yamato, Florida colonists and the museum’s namesake, George Morikami, lived, i.e. mid-19th to late 20th centuries. Central to the collections are Japanese articles of daily life dating from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) to the present, including fine arts and folk arts from the same and earlier periods.

The Morikami Museum offers a variety of educational programs for all ages. Providing informative and unique experiences in learning Japanese culture through classes, workshops, lectures, family programs, cultural demonstrations, and educational outreach. In addition, gallery talks, discussions, videos and film showings are held in conjunction with the lecture series and exhibits, enhancing and adding a new dimension to the educational programming.

The Yamato-kan, Morikami’s original museum building, opened in 1977 and served as the primary exhibition space until the main museum building was added in 1993. Modeled after the 17th-century Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto, the 2,000-square-foot structure sits at the heart of the gardens and reflects traditional Japanese design, with natural materials, balanced proportions, and a ring of exhibition rooms surrounding a tranquil dry garden.

The name Yamato-kan honors the Yamato Colony, a Japanese farming community established in Boca Raton in 1904. “Yamato” means “great peace,” and “kan” means building. Inside, visitors can view short documentaries on the Yamato settlers and garden designer Hoichi Kurisu, explore digitized archival materials—including photos, newspaper clippings, and diary excerpts—and enjoy rotating exhibits that explore Japanese culture and history.

The main museum building, opened in 1993, expanded Morikami’s capacity to serve the public with three exhibition galleries, a 226-seat theater, an authentic tea house with a viewing gallery, classrooms, a museum store, the Cornell Café, and scenic lakeside terraces. Its architecture continues to draw inspiration from traditional Japanese aesthetics.

County

We are a Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Facility.

The museum’s (non-lending) Donald B. Gordon Library houses 7,000 volumes on all topics Japanese.

Access: General Public, Members

Appointment required: False

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offers a rich variety of services designed to engage visitors, support events, and provide cultural experiences:

Shop in person or online for unique items inspired by Japanese culture and art.

Morikami has become one of South Florida’s premier venues for hosting a wide range of social and corporate events. Whether you’re planning a sunset wedding ceremony overlooking the lake, cocktails and dinner on the terrace with garden views, a corporate presentation in the theater, or a special anniversary celebration, Morikami provides a distinctive and picturesque setting. Our beautiful gardens, featuring Japanese bridges, waterfalls, and landscaped areas, offer romantic ceremony sites and stunning backdrops for formal portrait photography. We offer multiple rental packages to accommodate both large and small gathering

Located on the terraces with open-air and air-conditioned seating, the Cornell Café overlooks the tranquil gardens and serves a Pan-Asian inspired menu from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Please note that dining at the Cornell Café is a benefit of Morikami membership. Non-members must pay museum admission to access the café. Seating is first come, first served, with no reservations.

Morikami offers a variety of tours tailored to different groups and interests: Mobile-Guided Tour: Explore the gardens and exhibits at your own pace with exclusive audio and images accessible via your smartphone. Group Tours: Docent-led tours for adults and children, including museum and garden tours, the Seishin-an Tea House, and educational programs. Tours can be customized to fit group preferences. Booking in advance is recommended. Children’s Tours: Designed for students from K-12, these engaging tours explore Japanese culture, art, gardens, and history, with options for docent-led or self-guided experiences. Special STEAM-based programs are also offered to integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math with garden exploration. Educational Programs: Morikami provides enriching educational opportunities year-round, including the MORY (More Opportunities to Reach Youth) program, Summer Tour Plus, and the Full STEAM Ahead tour. These programs offer hands-on cultural activities and tours specifically designed for youth and school groups, often with financial assistance available for qualifying schools. OtherServices=Gift Shop;Online Gift Shop;Special Event Rental;Restaurant/Cafe/Lunch Room;Tours