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.
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
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, Sunday, December 14, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Monday, December 15, 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, Monday, December 22, 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
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)
Koto performance by Morikami Students
Koto New Year Concert
Registration opens on August 1st, 2025. Our theater tends to be cold. You may want to bring a sweater or a jacket with you.
Adult Workshop
Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) Workshop for Beginners
Learn brush strokes using sumi (charcoal) ink and a brush to write Japanese characters. After practicing on paper you will create a final calligraphy piece on shikishi board to take home. Just bring your curiosity!
Underwritten by Linda and Michael Sonnenreich
Film: Come Back Anytime
Hirayama works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. He seems content with his simple life. He follows a structured everyday life and dedicates his free time to his passion for music and books. Hirayama also has a fondness for trees and photographs them. More of his past is gradually revealed through a series of unexpected encounters.
Adult Workshop
The Way Of Taiko: The Heartbeat Of Japan
Traditional Drum Workshop
The workshop includes an introduction to the history of taiko. Participants are taught how to understand sounds and movements, i.e., how to connect nature and the meaning of body movement. They become familiar with the way of taiko and drumming techniques. Instruments are provided for you.
Orchid Weekend
Saturday, February 7 & Sunday, February 8, 2026 Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Cost: FREE with your paid museum admission Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of orchids at the Morikami Museum’s Orchid Weekend! Wander through our picturesque gardens and discover the beauty and diversity of these exquisite blooms. Meet a curated selection of orchid vendors, suppliers, …
10:00AM, Saturday, February 7, 2026
Morikami Gardens
10:00AM, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Morikami Gardens
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Paper Orchids
Celebrate Orchid Weekend at the Morikami and make your own paper orchids to take home.
11:00AM, Saturday, February 7, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
The Art Of Japanese Fabric Wrapping
Furoshiki Workshop
People have used furoshiki, a square reusable wrapping cloth, since the 16th century in a variety of ways to wrap differently sized and shaped objects. Learn how to wrap a wine bottle, a watermelon, books, and how to make a tote bag from a furoshiki.
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Kimono Culture Demonstration
Japanese Traditional Clothing
Not all kimono are created equal! Learn about traditional styles of kimono, with their rich culture, seasonal subtleties, and symbolic nuances. Observe a demonstration on how to properly put on and wear a kimono. Learn about the elegance of the formal kimono with its exquisite designs and finery worn to attend weddings, parties, special celebrations, and holidays.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Hinamatsuri Dolls
Girls’ Festival or Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri) is celebrated on March 3rd in Japan. A set of dolls representing the emperor and empress and their court (three ladies-in-waiting and five musicians) is set up in the family home to mark the occasion. Celebrate Hina Matsuri by making a special craft to take home.
12:00PM, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
Adult Workshop
Kurinuki Ceramic Workshop
Kurinuki is a traditional Japanese ceramic hand building technique starting with a solid block of clay and hollowing it out to create a vessel. Create a chawan, Japanese tea bowl using this beautiful ancient technique. In this hands-on workshop, learn basic techniques to work with clay and enjoy a presentation of Japanese ceramics.
A Taste of Asia: A Culinary and Cultural Experience
Join us for an evening under the stars as we present “A Taste of Asia: A Culinary and Cultural Experience” on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 6:30–11:00 p.m. Relish the vibrant flavors and rich traditions of Asian culinary culture in a Japanese garden setting during this special inaugural event.
6:30PM, Saturday, March 7, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Adult Workshop
Basics Of Sushi Workshop
Sushi has entered the American palate as a cultural influence from Japan. But do you know what sushi is? Few know that sushi is not actually raw fish, but rice made with a bit of vinegar and sugar. Served with a variety of accompaniments, cooked or raw fish and vegetables, it can take many forms.
Participants in this hands-on workshop, led by Mitsutoshi Sekita, sushi chef and owner from a Japanese restaurant in Plantation, Florida will learn cultural information about sushi, how to make sushi, and, of course, enjoy eating the sushi. Both classes teach you how to create the same sushi.
Poetry Workshop: Renga: Japanese Collaborative Poetry
In this workshop, participants will learn about the traditional and contemporary use of the form, through reading of various examples, and learn various techniques for writing successful haibun.
Butoh Dance Performance
A Dance Performance by Pinar Sinka
Butoh, a type of Japanese dance theater came on the scene in 1959 and over the decades has grown beyond Japan and onto the international scene. Join us for an evening of this unique Avant-garde dance performed by Butoh performer Pinar Sinka.
DEMONSTRATION OF KYUDO: The Way of the Bow
Kyudo is the traditional Japanese practice that uses the act of shooting the Japanese bow for the cultivation of the person and the development of physical and mental wellbeing. It is now a worldwide practice that has both cultural and sporting aspects. Kyudo places greater emphasis on the beauty of form, with accuracy being seen as an expression of correct shooting rather than "hitting for hitting sake." Learn about the history of Kyudo and observe a demonstration of the Shaho Hassetsu, known as the Eight Stages of Shooting, explained by instructor Jade Fraundorfer.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: April Showers Chigiri-e Flowers
Celebrate Orchid Weekend at the Morikami and make your own paper orchids to take home.
12:00PM, Saturday, April 4, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Underwritten by Linda and Michael Sonnenreich
Film: Tokyo Cowboy
Discussion led by Director Marc Marriott
Brash businessman Hideki convinces his Tokyo bosses he can turn a profitless Montana cattle ranch into a premiere-performing asset. However, when his Japanese Wagyu-beef expert fails him, Hideki is poised to fail unless he identifies a missing element that's key to the transformation: himself.
Adult Workshop
Block Printing Workshop
Japan has a long, rich history of woodblock printing, called mokuhanga, dating back to the 11th century. The ukiyo-e genre of block prints flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries. Morikami is offering a workshop with a modern twist on this ancient art form, where participants can carve and print with linoleum blocks to create unique and exciting imagery. Instructor Brian Reedy has been teaching this method for over 20 years, and offers an approach that is easily accessible for beginners, yet challenging for seasoned artists. Printing inks can stain clothes, so dress appropriately. Please wear old clothes or bring an apron.
Adult Workshop
The Joy of Carving - Chirirenge Ramen Spoon Edition
Chirirenge in Japanese is the name of the soup spoons from Asia and used as ramen spoons in Japan. Unlike the western spoon, it has a flat bottom and is deep to hold more soup. The handle is curved upwards and the shape mimics a fallen petal of the lotus flower called renge in Japanese. The word chiri means “to fall off.”