Morakami Gardens

Nearing the end of our exploration of the twisting paths in Morakami Japanese Gardens we paused to gaze out across the calm brown water. Is this heron hunting or just walking about? I wonder if it worries about aligators. --February 6, 2019 at 12:21 PM. Delray Beach, FL, United States

Morakami Gardens and Museum is about an hour away located in Boca Raton, Fl.. We visited there years ago but I cannot say I recall the visit. I think this visit should remain in memory. The museum and japenese gardens sit on land once owned by George Morakami who was part of a colony established in the early 1900s that did not succeed but I guess has still left a mark. My understanding is there was some idea of bringing Japanese-style farming practices to Florida to help improve the economy. It did not work. Morakami was one of numerous young men who came, planned to make a fortune, and then return to Jpan. While most settlers came and then left with likely little money Morakami remained and eventually , upon his death, gifted the land he had acquired to Boca Raton.

We first explored the Japanese art in the museum. The pieces were generally large sculptures made of plaster and hemp coated entirely by lacquer which was often inlaid with mother-of—pearl and other precious substances. I can’t really describe what we saw except to say it was impressive. The amount of work an artist has to put into a piece is extraordinary and the quality is evident even if you , like me, generally do not really absorb all the nuances of a piece.

The Morakami Japense Gardens are worth your time to visit even though they are a good hour from Miami. We explored the quiet, constantly changing scenery for at least an hour. You could certainly spend much more time contemplating plants like this Phillipene Fireworks plant ( Clerodendrum quadriloculare), the waterfalls, rock gardens, and so much more. --February 6, 2019 at 11:59 AM. Delray Beach, FL, United States

The gardens are just as impressive. You leave the main buildings to stroll along gravel paths and across wooden bridges spanning brown waters that seperate a wide variety of gardens. The gardens certainly do engender a sense of peacefulness. In many places you could pause , catch your breath, contemplate the surroundings. I think you can do that even though their are quite a few people wandering through the gardens with you. Perhaps you can stand on the zig-zag bridge and watch a turtle slowly glide on by, sit by an endlessly recycling waterfall, examine the zen rock gardens, or just amble along the pathways. We thoroughly enjoyed are stroll and no doubt could have spent more time exploring than we did. Ending the visit with lunch at the cafe was a fine capstone to the visit. The cafe can be crowded but the quality of the food makes the wait worth it.