All programs are open for registration on August 1st of each year for the upcoming season. Each season runs from October through the summer of the next year.
Ikebana Flower Arrangement
Ikebana Sogetsu Class
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. The Sogetsu School is a contemporary school which focuses on the creativity and individuality of ikebana. The idea is that ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, with almost anything. Students will learn the basics of Sogetsu and create pieces each week to take home and enjoy. Beginners and Intermediate students welcome!
10:30AM, Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Oki Education Center
Tea Ceremony Class
Sado: Beginner I & II
Thursday or Sunday Sessions
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season.
10:15AM, Thursday, November 6, 2025
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, December 7, 2025
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, December 11, 2025
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, January 4, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, January 8, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Monday, February 2, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, February 5, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, March 8, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, April 16, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, May 31, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, June 4, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, July 5, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, July 9, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, September 13, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, September 17, 2026
Tea House
Tea Ceremony Class
Sado: Intermediate Classes
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season.
1:00PM, Thursday, November 6, 2025
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, December 7, 2025
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, December 11, 2025
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, January 4, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, January 8, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, February 1, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, February 5, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, March 8, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, April 16, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, May 31, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, June 4, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, July 5, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, July 9, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, September 13, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, September 17, 2026
Tea House
Talk by Artist Mariko Kusumoto
Speaker Series: My Creative Journey
Learn about Kusumoto’s journey as an artist, beginning with her undergraduate studies working in 2-dimensional medium (oil painting and printmaking), and then her 18-year career as a metalsmith, and how she transitioned into working with fabrics. As new opportunities presented themselves, the direction of her work was able to evolve by allowing her instinct to lead her. Through that evolution her career has been like a journey.
1:00PM, Friday, November 7, 2025
Morikami Theater
Japanese Traditional Instrument
Koto Class
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn about the history, culture and techniques in how to play this exquisite instrument in this 5-week course. Instruments will be provided for participants to use in the class.
10:30AM, Saturday, November 8, 2025
Morikami Theater
10:30AM, Saturday, January 10, 2026
Morikami Theater
10:30AM, Saturday, February 21, 2026
Morikami Theater
The Art of Bonsai
Bonsai means “a tree in a tray.” The art of bonsai creates the illusion of age and maturity of a tree which has developed and sustained the effects of nature for many years. Students of bonsai learn to artfully trim and train a tree in a container. Beginner and Intermediate Students welcome!
9:00AM, Sunday, November 9, 2025
Oki Education Center
9:00AM, Sunday, January 4, 2026
Oki Education Center
9:00AM, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Oki Education Center
9:00AM, Sunday, March 22, 2026
Oki Education Center
Japanese Drums
Taiko Class
Taiko is a Japanese word, which means a Japanese drumming style, a drum group, drum music and a drum itself. There are a wide variety of shapes and sizes of taiko. Learn about the history, culture, and techniques of how to play this exquisite instrument in this 5-week course. Instruments will be provided for participants to use in the class.
2:30PM, Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Morikami Theater
2:30PM, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Morikami Theater
2:30PM, Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Morikami Theater
2:30PM, Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Morikami Theater
Morikami Book Club
Open to all Morikami Members
Embark on a thrilling literary journey with Benefactor member Christine Carton and fellow Morikami members as they kick off a brand new season of riveting book explorations! To join the Morikami Book Club, please reach out to Christine Carton at christinec@gate.net. All meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 12 pm at …
12:00PM, Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Friday, May 8, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Adult Workshop
Shibori Indigo Workshop
The use of indigo dye, or aizome, has a long and cherished history in Japan. The deep blue colors for which Japanese textiles are celebrated come from the leaves of the tade ai, a plant introduced to Japan from China in the sixth century. Shibori is a Japanese technique of manual resist dyeing used to make patterns on fabrics. Learn various shibori techniques and get a chance to make your own shibori creation.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Chitose Ame Bag
Chitose ame are long pink and white candy sticks given to the children to wish for a long and sweet life. These are carried in special candy bags. Make your own chitose ame bag on this special day!
12:00PM, Saturday, November 15, 2025
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Japanese Traditional Tea Ceremony
The Way Of Tea: Sado Demonstration
Observe Japanese sado, an ever-changing demonstration rich in seasonal subtleties. Your involvement in the true spirit of sado — harmony (wa), reverence (kei), purity (sei), tranquility (jaku) will help you bring a calm perspective into your busy life.
12:00PM, Saturday, November 15, 2025
Morikami Theater
2:00PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, January 17, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, February 7, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, March 14, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, April 18, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, May 16, 2026
Morikami Theater
Museum Closed for National Holiday
We are closed on major national holidays, including: 4th of July Thanksgiving Christmas Day New Year’s Day Easter General Museum Hours Open Tuesday through Sunday | 10am – 5pm Last Admissions Ticket Sold at 4:30pm Closed Mondays and major holidays Administrative Offices Open Monday through Friday | 9am – 5pm Cornell Café Open Tuesday through Sunday | 11am …
10:00AM, Thursday, November 27, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Thursday, December 25, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Thursday, January 1, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Ikebana Flower Arrangement
Ikebana Ikenobo Class
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. Dating back to the 15th century, the Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles and style of Ikenobo, creating fresh flower arrangements each week to take home and enjoy. Beginners welcome!
11:00AM, Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Oki Education Center
11:00AM, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Oki Education Center
11:00AM, Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Oki Education Center
11:00AM, Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Oki Education Center
11:00AM, Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Oki Education Center
11:00AM, Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Oki Education Center
Adult Workshop
The Art of Kokedama
Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil. It is wrapped with string and contains an ornamental plant growing inside. These beautiful and decorative plants bring an organic and natural touch to planting orchids, succulents, and other ornamental plants. Learn the mechanics of how to make kokedama, creating two regular size and one small one to decorate your home or to give away to a special person.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Nengajō: New Year’s Cards
Join us throughout the holiday season to create a nengajō, a Japanese New Year’s card, to share with friends and family.
10:00AM, Saturday, December 13, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Sunday, December 14, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Thursday, December 18, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Friday, December 19, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Saturday, December 20, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Sunday, December 21, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Friday, December 26, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Saturday, December 27, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Sunday, December 28, 2025
Lobby
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Tea Day
Celebrate the culture of tea at the Morikami!
10:00AM, Saturday, December 13, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Adult Workshop
The Art of Japanese Gift Presentation Workshop
Learn the customs and art of Japanese gift presentation in this hands-on workshop. Combining traditional with contemporary aesthetics, participants are introduced to the beauty of Japanese packaging and design, often times incorporating natural and unconventional materials. Learn to wrap with washi (Japanese traditional handmade paper), create uniquely designed boxes, and other techniques to give your gift an Asian-inspired elegance. Workshop tools and materials will be provided for the participants to use.
Delve into the world of Japanese folklore
Mori Stories: Kamishibai Folktales
Japanese Paper Theater
Bring the whole family and delve into the world of Japanese folklore or stories through kamishibai, Paper Theater. Join us for a reading of these classic stories. Reading starts on the hour with a short related activity to follow.
12:00PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
1:00PM, Thursday, April 16, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
11:00AM, Saturday, July 18, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Speaker Series: What’s All The Fuss: The Global Enthusiasm for Japanese Green Tea & Matcha
Talk by Rona Tison
Matcha, sencha, gyokuro, hojicha — how many kinds of Japanese green tea do you know? At this talk, Rona Tison, Tea Ambassador & Executive Advisor of ITO EN- North America, the global leaders of green tea will take you through the fundamentals of this time honored beverage. Learn how to best brew and drink the teas, the health benefits you may expect, and the new trends in the world of tea.
12:00PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025
Morikami Theater
Craft activities for kids of all ages.
Virtual Family Fun Days
Virtual craft activities for kids of all ages.
12:00PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025
Virtual
Karesansui Raking Demonstration
Karesansui or dry landscape garden, is founded on Zen ideology using carefully composed rock arrangements and gravel or sand. A karesansui is carefully raked to represent characteristics of water such as currents and waves while boulder arrangements may be interpreted as islands. Learn about our Late Rock Garden and observe how the raking can be a practice in mindfulness and meditation.
10:30AM, Thursday, December 18, 2025
Morikami Gardens
10:30AM, Thursday, January 15, 2026
Morikami Gardens
10:30AM, Thursday, February 26, 2026
Morikami Gardens
10:30AM, Thursday, March 19, 2026
Morikami Gardens
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Year of the Horse Paper Craft
In the Japanese Zodiac, 2026 is the year of the horse. Come celebrate the Year of the Horse, by making your own horse to take home for the New Year.
12:00PM, Saturday, January 3, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
New Year's Traditional Japanese Archery Demonstration - Omato-shiki
Experience the elegance and discipline of Omato-shiki, a rare and ancient ceremonial form of Japanese archery, performed by members of the Ogasawara-ryū American Branch. This ritual originated over 1300 years ago and is a strictly codified ceremonial practice, performed with deep precision and reverence as an act of prayer. Today, Omato-shiki is still performed at …
12:00PM, Saturday, January 3, 2026
Morikami Gardens
Introduction to Japanese Language
Nihongo Language: Level I & II
Sunday Sessions
These preliminary levels introduce basic survival Japanese, grammar, and hiragana writing and reading. Topics include, but are not limited to, meeting people, shopping, and dining. Each level has 3 parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) which should be taken sequentially before you can move on to the next level.
10:15AM, Sunday, January 4, 2026
In-Person or Virtual
10:15AM, Sunday, March 1, 2026
In-Person or Virtual
Koto performance by Morikami Students
Koto New Year Concert
Our theater tends to be cold. You may want to bring a sweater or a jacket with you.