Lovely vistas, Bonsai collection, traditional Japanese gardens. Stay for lunch, their restaurant is great! The gift shop has a nice selection of unique items.
You can almost feel your blood pressure dropping by the minute. Go early, especially on the weekend. We got there just after opening and enjoyed quiet reflection at every stop. By the time we were leaving (about 2 hours) there were soooooo many people. It's layed out as a nice loop with different examples of Japanese gardens, making a gem of a landscape.
The gardens were very relaxing to walk around and quite beautiful. My favourite stops were the grouping of large bamboo trees that you could hear knocking against each other in the wind; the display on bonsai trees; and, the house that talked about the history of the Japanese Settlement in the South Florida area and showing what life in Japan is/was like in the 20th/21st century compared to North America. I had really wanted to eat in the restaurant, since it's supposed to be excellent, but there was a waiting list to be seated so we didn't stick around as it was our last day in Florida.
If you're looking for a serene peaceful and beautiful walk through nature the Morikami Park is the place to visit.Steeped in Japanese history is remarkable Garden in the West Palm Beach area is perfect for a is full walk pictures and events a wedding birdwatching or just a peaceful day. Enjoy.
Feeling nostalgic for my days riding around Japan on the Shinkansen from Tokyo past Mount Fuji into Nagoya stopping in Kyoto and on to Osaka...I always loved the people, the views of the buildings and the greenery.Going to Morikami gave me a real flashback rush. I really felt like I was back in Japan. Totally worth the price of admission. Everyone seemed relaxed and tranquil like the Koi in the ponds.You must eat at Cornel Cafe. Oishi
We had a wonderful afternoon visiting the gardens even though it wasn't Orchid season. The map and audio they provided was helpful and well worthwhile taking the time to listen. There were so many picture opportunities i was on overload. Would love to visit again during another part of the season.
Interesting little museum and well-worth the visit. They don't have a huge collection of Japanese antiques but there is a sufficient amount of interesting items to make one feel as if for a brief moment in time, we are in Japan. I highly recommend going there as early as possible (they open at 10:00am) for several reasons. One is that it's cooler in the morning (once I went there and there was a light fog which added to the atmosphere) and the other if you want to avoid the vacationing families with SUVs loaded to the gills with kids. I do like kids but the Morikami museum and its gardens are best appreciated when it's quiet. I've been there several times and would return again, and that says something about a place. Keep in mind that they are closed on Mondays! If I had a wish, it would be that they open earlier then 10:00am.
The Morikami Museum is one of the Treasures of Florida.This was my first visit here on my own without my aging Mom to slow us down and we walked every part of the trails for the first time ever and it was a revelation.The trails were so peaceful and covered so much diverse and interesting experiences, Everything form the unique sounds of the bamboo forest, which was spooky and gave my an understanding of Japanese mysticism and foke lore. Stand in the forst close your eyes and you can imagine all sorts of spirits being there. The rock gardens were contemplativeMy personal favorite was the Bonsai exhibit and I was just enthralled by the Bonsai that has been in continuous growth since the 1600's.The indoor museum has a nice collection of Japanese artifacts and always includes some rotating exhibits. My last 3 visits were Samurai Outfits, Modern Japanese Street life, and this time was pottery.Be sure to take in the introductory 15 minute movie that grounds one on how this place came to be.The lunch place actually has excellent well priced Sushi but the service is perfunctory and there are often lines during peak times.Be sure to take in the Island by the Bonsai that has a recreation of what some of the living quarters were like during the colony phase that the Murikami is partly designed ot preserve.This visit had something that I found very moving, which was a wall of letters from Children affected by the recent Disaster of the Tsunami and Nuclear Power plant accident. Some of these letters wre haunting with Children speaking of loss of family and homes and pets. They were so Authentic and I will carry these with me for a long time. It really gave one a sense of how his tragedy and its aftermath were experienced from a Childs view of the world.The gift shop is excellent with something for everyone and Perlita the clothes horse bought a Beautiful Dress and wants to comeback and get a full length Kimona next visit.Staff is very friendly with no attitude and will help to answer any questions.Overall this is a vey unique Museum that can be experienced on many levels. A must see for lovers of Japan and a different time for those who just want something new to go to.
Serene gem in the middle of a bustling city. I have visited the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens a couple of times, and there is always something new to see. Just beautiful!
We spent a blissful couple of hours wandering through the grounds at Morikami and each step brought us another beautiful vista. Perfectly balanced, Calm and invigorating. It's a place that you experience not so much for your head as through all of your senses. And then again you can go to the museum and learn about the Japanese community in Florida or you can go to the lovely café and have a fabulous lunch. Great place for a soulful walk on the hot Florida day