South Florida is a part of America that is attractive to everyone. The beaches, the nightlife, the restaurants, it is all truly unparalleled. There are people of all origins in South Florida, as the weather and culture make it one of the most livable areas in America. For Japanese-Americans, one place in South Florida is the epicenter of Japanese culture and is a celebration of all things Japan: the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.
The Japanese-American population in Florida is relatively small, with an estimated 14,073 people of Japanese descent in Florida in 2015, according to a report by the Consulate General of Japan in Miami. That number has only grown since then, and the number of Japanese tourists that frequent Florida every year is significant. From same report, the number of Japanese tourists in Florida had risen from 150,000 in 2008 to 278,000 in 2012. That number has likely continued to increase almost a decade later.
Morikami Museum is a place for Japanese-Americans, Japanese tourists, or anyone else who appreciates great exhibitions to come and appreciate the best of Japanese culture. The museum is located in Western Delray Beach, a small city on the Southeastern coast of Florida. Delray Beach is under an hour and a half drive from Miami, so if tourists are visiting the bigger city, Delray is worth the day trip. Delray Beach is a quaint beach town with tons of great shops, surf, food, and of course, museums.
Morikami Museum has a ton to offer people of all ages. There are two different primary areas of Morikami: the museum and the gardens, and they are both intended to highlight Japanese culture. Let’s look at some of the exhibits, displays, and activities available to visitors at both of these locations.
Museum:
The museum has several exhibitions of incredible art and artifacts that are from Japan or done by Japanese artists. The museum has a huge variety of pieces, much of which is from the museum’s collection, but also includes pieces loaned from other galleries and museums and private collectors. While tons of artworks and artifacts are displayed year-round, different exhibitions rotate throughout the year.
From now until March of 2022, the primary exhibition in Morikami is called Painting Enlightenment. It features works by Iwasaki Tsuneo, a Japanese scientist, and artist. Tsuneo’s unique combination of science and art is present in his work. Many of the works on display are of scientific wonders, such as lightning, DNA, and other naturally occurring phenomena.
Another part of the museum that makes it such an attraction is the traditional Japanese tea house. At these tea houses on specific dates, guests can witness and learn about the formal and traditional tea ceremonies that would’ve been performed in Japan in the past. There are also classes and workshops on the tea ceremony traditions.
Gardens:
The gardens are considered a living exhibition, and there are six different ones that are inspired by well-known gardens in Japan. The gardens are based around significant periods of Japanese culture and are influenced by the forms and aesthetics of the period that influences them. The gardens have ponds, brooks, and other features that make them incredibly beautiful and tranquil.
In fact, the gardens instill such a sense of peace that Morikami offers a program called the Stroll for Well-Being. This therapeutic garden-walking program utilizes the calming influence of the garden to soothe visitors. The gardens also include outdoor exhibitions that make it a consistently engaging visit.
Bonsai trees are one of Japan’s most well-known exports, and the garden is filled with stunning bonsai art. Visitors can walk through the bonsai garden and witness exhibits that explain how to create the perfectly sculpted bonsai trees they see before them.
Conclusion:
Whether you are a Japanese-American or not, the Morikami Museum and Gardens is an incredible and stunning place to visit. With a huge supply of art, artifacts, and natural beauty, there is something for everyone at Morikami. If you’re ever in Delray Beach or anywhere that’s a trip away, make sure you take a visit to Morikami to admire the incredibly diverse beauty of Japanese culture.
