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.
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.
10:00AM, Saturday, June 14, 2025
Oki Education Center
Guest Artist Workshops
Youth Summer Music & Culture Camp
(Grade 3rd – 12th)
Campers will be immersed in Japanese culture participating in fun craft activities, Japanese cultural arts, and exciting music classes which include the 13-string koto (zither) and taiko drums, taught by professional musicians, Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, Koto instructor and members from the Fushu Daiko Taiko group. All materials and Instruments that campers need are provided for their use at camp.
9:00AM, Monday, June 23, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Guest Artist Youth & Adult Workshops
Japanese Traditional Music Workshops: Koto with Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto
There will be two opportunities for adults to take the Japanese traditional music workshops at the Morikami Museum. Instruments and sheet music will be provided for use in the workshops.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Tanabata
Make a wish for the Star Festival, Tanabata! Write your wish on a strip of colored paper, or tanzaku, and tie it to a branch of our Tanabata bamboo to celebrate.
10:00AM, Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Thursday, July 3, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Friday, July 4, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Saturday, July 5, 2025
Lobby
10:00AM, Sunday, July 6, 2025
Lobby
Grade 3rd – 12th
Calligraphy Youth Workshop
Learn how to write your name and some Japanese words with ink and brush, two traditional calligraphy writing implements in this hands-on workshop.
Adult Workshop
The Art of Kokedama
Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil.
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.
Celebrate Obon Weekend at the Morikami
Obon Weekend
Enjoy live taiko drumming performances in the spirit of Obon
We invite guests to take a contemplative stroll through the gardens, enjoy live taiko drumming performances in the spirit of Obon, and pay their respects to George Morikami at the Bon altar.
10:00AM, Saturday, August 16, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Sunday, August 17, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
AN EXCLUSIVE FUNDRAISING EVENT CELEBRATING OBON
Launch the Lantern Dinner
Join us this special fundraising dinner event followed by the floating of your personalized lantern on the lake.
(Grade 3-12)
Youth Workshop: The Way Of Taiko: The Heartbeat Of Japan
Traditional Drum Workshop
This workshop introduces participants to the history and practice of taiko drumming. Participants are taught how to understand sounds and movements, i.e., how to connect nature and the meaning of body movement. They will become familiar with the way of taiko and its drumming techniques.
11:00AM, Sunday, August 24, 2025
Morikami Theater