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The last time we visited Morikami Park was the spring of 1999. The 200 acres of pine forest in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida had been nice, but nothing to rave about. The lunch, on the other hand, was excellent, so we decided to meet again at the Japanese Gardens. The first thing we did was head to the restaurant. I had intended taking a picture of the Japanese dish called Beef Bowl, but I forgot. I was hungry and the food is exceptional, at a very reasonable price. The picture shows the 32,000 square foot main building which houses a museum, gift store, and restaurant. This is a view of the back of the building and the restaurant is actual a porch on the far left side..

The menu gave a wide choice, such as Suchi Combo, Almond Crusted Grouper, Jumbo Shrimp with Asian Leek Sauce, Asian Eggplant with Garlic Sauce, Eel Bowl, Teryaki or Curry Chicken. We choose to put off desert until after the walk. Desert options: Japanese Cake Roll, Strawberry Banana Split Cake, Divine Chocolate Cake, Mocha/Dutch Chocolate Decadent Ice Cream Dessert, Chocolate Mousse Cake, Green Tea Ice Cream, Red Bean Ice Cream, Manju Ice Cream.

From the moment we sat down on the porch at the back of the main building, which was the restaurant, we knew things had changed. The large pond, I remembered, had been transformed into a small lake which was now the center of a vast garden. I walked out to the edge of the porch and took a closeup of the far side. Later I read that, in the centuries from the 9th-12th, Japanese nobles used Chinese concepts of lakes and islands in their own gardens. The Chinese often fashioned gardens to be viewed from boats on lakes. While there were no boats, the circular pathway that surrounds the lake, provides views of the opposing shore that are lovely. We found out that since our first visit, 3.5 million dollars has transformed the park.

In the 1900's Japanese settlers moved into South Florida creating an agricultural community called the Yamato colony. One of those colonists was George Sukeji Morikami who had emigrated from Miyazu, Japan. It was Mr. Morikami who donated the lands now providing a marvelous glimpse into Japanese gardens over the ages. The original museum and gardens opened in 1977. The museum is still there and now called the Yamato-kan. It is a model of a Japanese residence and features a permanent exhibition chronicling the history of the Yamato Colony.

The park has an area of shaded picnic pavilions and a rare bonsai collection of miniature trees, near the Yamato-kan. During the walk along the path surrounding the pond there are varieties of gardens to be viewed, water to be crossed by way of wonderful wooden bridges, streams and waterfalls to enjoy, sections of pine and bamboo, and ponds full of carp and turtles being watched over by birds, such as the Anhinga. There was a photo opportunity at every turn.

This 14th Century Rock Garden is a landscape design to abstractly express nature. While there is no water, the arrangement of rocks suggests its presence. Such gardens were inspired by the imported concept of Zen Buddhism.

Late Rock Garden of the 15th Century is a completely abstract garden space, enclosed by walls. It is principally a rock arrangement and coarse gravel. Used as a meditation aid in the Zen Buddhist discipline.

This small garden just outside the main building, can easily be duplicated in your own backyard.

If you would like to see more photos of the gardens taken on our visit please see:
Wildlife http://miami-dade-online.com/JapaneseGardens-2.htm
Water http://miami-dade-online.com/JapaneseGardens-3.htm
Wood http://miami-dade-online.com/JapaneseGardens-4.htm
Memorials http://miami-dade-online.com/JapaneseGardens-5.htm

You can see the Morikami Park website for admission prices and an events calendar at http://www.morikami.org/

and see a map at http://www.morikami.org/directns.htm

4000 Morikami Park Road,
Delray Beach, FL 33446
(561) 495-0233

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