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.
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Speaker Series: Restoring America's Promise: The Fight for Justice
Talk by Dr. Mitchell T. Maki
Join us for a truly impactful and interactive presentation that delves into the poignant history of the Japanese American WWII experience. Nationally recognized redress movement scholar, Dr. Mitch Maki, will guide you through this critical chapter in American history, exploring the challenges of incarceration and military service, and culminating with the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Through the blending of historical facts with compelling community anecdotes and audience perspectives, Dr. Maki fosters a dynamic dialogue that connects this history to today's crucial issues of social justice and the enduring strength of democracy. This is more than a presentation; it is a moving and inspirational opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the unwavering Go For Broke spirit of the Japanese American soldiers and the ongoing relevance of their fight for the freedoms and liberties we all cherish. This is a chance to explore how their legacy impacts us and future generations
1:00PM, Saturday, May 30, 2026
Morikami Theater
Adult Workshop
Nerikomi Ceramic Workshop
Nerikomi is a hand-building pattern technique made with colored clay, by mixing colored clay and then press it together. “Neri” means to mix, and “komi” means to press. The clay is layered in different patterns to create a block of clay. After, you slice the block into thin layers. Finally, you make a pattern in a repetitive (or abstract) way from these slices to create different objects. In this workshop students will learn in the first class to create a patterned block of two colors of clay. The second class will be dedicated to cut the slabs and transform them into nice trays, plates or vessels.
Sado: Tea Ceremony Workshop
Omotesenke School
This workshop teaches the basics of sadō – The Way of Tea – necessary to understand the aesthetics of sadō and to fully enjoy the tea ceremony itself. Participants become familiar with how to participate as a guest, how to make a bowl of tea, and serve it.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Father's Day Tops
Spin your way into Father’s Day by designing your own wooden top (koma) to give to dad or a special person.
12:00PM, Saturday, June 13, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
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.
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, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Thursday, July 2, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Friday, July 3, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Sunday, July 5, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Tuesday, July 7, 2026
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.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Yōkai Mask
Journey through the world of yōkai, Japanese supernatural creatures, through our exhibition and day of fun craft activities and story telling. Make your own yōkai mask for based on spirits and creatures from Japanese folklore and much more! Come dressed as your favorite Japanese yōkai!
10:00AM, Saturday, July 18, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
Yōkai Day
Journey through the world of yōkai, Japanese supernatural creatures, through our exhibition and day of fun activities. Come dressed as your favorite Japanese yōkai!
10:00AM, Saturday, July 18, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Underwritten by The Rubens Family Foundation
Film: Spirited Away
A film by Toshio Suzuki, animated by Studio Ghibli
During her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl, Chihiro wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
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.
Grades 3rd – 12th
Youth Origami Workshop
Make unique pieces of art with paper! Learn how to make origami by using various techniques and simple folds.
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.
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 15, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Sunday, August 16, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Lantern Craft
Join us for Obon Weekend and make your own special paper lantern to light the night.
11:00AM, Saturday, August 15, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
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.
Traditional Japanese Instrument
Koto Workshop
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn the fascinating history of this exquisite instrument and how to play it in this one-day introductory workshop. Instruments will be provided for participants to use in the workshop. To further your studies on the koto, sign-up for our koto class series or summer guest artist workshops.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Dragonfly Clip
The dragonfly, called tombo in Japanese, are known to be abundant in late summer. Design and make your own dragonfly clip to hold together your important papers or a special picture.
12:00PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Orchid Weekend
Saturday, February 6 & Sunday, February 7, 2027 Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: FREE with your paid museum admission Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of orchids during Orchid Weekend at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Stroll through our picturesque gardens and discover the remarkable beauty and diversity of these exquisite blooms in a setting inspired …
10:00AM, Saturday, February 6, 2027
Morikami Gardens
10:00AM, Sunday, February 7, 2027
Morikami Gardens