Morikami provides informative and unique experiences for all ages through its Special Programs. Here you will find educational and cultural programming related to our current exhibitions and all things Japan—lectures, films, performances, special events, and more!
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.
Explore each special programs page or browse the full list.
Calligraphy (Shodo) Performance Dance (Butoh) Performance Films Kite Fly Morikami Book Club Mori Stories Music (Koto) Performance Obon Weekend Orchid Weekend Speaker Series Sunset Stroll Stroll for Well-Being A Taste of Asia Youth Music Camp
Experience the Garden Early
Member Morning Walks
Open to all Morikami Members
We are excited to announce the start of a unique program - Member Morning Walks. This is an exclusive opportunity for our valued members to experience the gardens in the calm of morning, before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. Starting June 7th, every Wednesday, you can escape into the serene beauty of our …
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 3, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 10, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 17, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 24, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 31, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 7, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 14, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 21, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 28, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 5, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 12, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 19, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 26, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 9, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 16, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 23, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 30, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 6, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 13, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 20, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 27, 2024
Morikami Gardens
Sponsored by the JM Family Enterprises
Who are you? The Stories Behind the Hapa Project
Talk by Kip Fulbeck
Learn more about our latest exhibition Hapa.me, with the artist and curator, Kip Fulbeck. Fulbeck has photographed thousands of people, inviting them to define themselves in their own words and with their own handwriting. In this energetic and entertaining artist talk, Fulbeck shares some of his behind-the-scenes experiences working with these individuals -- showing some never before seen images and extrapolating how these stories reflect our contemporary world.
1:00PM, Friday, May 3, 2024
Morikami Theater
(Tickets available the day of the event at a first come, first served basis. Limited seating available.)
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Children’s Day
Come join us to celebrate the Japanese holiday of Children’s Day by making a pinwheel, playing Japanese games, or making a Japanese flying carp called koinobori!
10:00AM, Sunday, May 5, 2024
Sakai Room (Library)
Take a cinematic journey through Japan with the Morikami Film Series
Film: Weathering With You
Sponsored by the The Rubens Family Foundation
Weathering With You is by director Makoto Shinkai and producer Genki Kawamura, the creative team behind the critically-acclaimed, global smash hit Your Name. The summer of his high school freshman year, Hodaka runs away from his remote island home to Tokyo, and quickly finds himself pushed to his financial and personal limits. The weather is unusually gloomy and rainy every day, as if to suggest his future. He lives his days in isolation, but finally finds work as a writer for a mysterious occult magazine. Then one day, Hodaka meets Hina on a busy street corner. This bright and strong-willed girl possesses a strange and wonderful ability: the power to stop the rain and clear the sky…
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. Morikami Book Club 2023-2024 Selection October 11 - Dead-end Memories Stories: By Banana Yoshimoto A collection of 5 …
12:00PM, Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Craft activities for kids of all ages.
Virtual Family Fun Days
Virtual craft activities for kids of all ages.
12:00AM, Sunday, May 12, 2024
Virtual
Kirigami Mother’s Day Card
12:00AM, Saturday, August 31, 2024
Virtual
Tofu Day
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Documentary Film: Hafu: The Mixed Race Experience
Discussion led by Director Megumi Nishikura and Moderator Dr. Mitzi Carter
"HAFU" is a documentary that explores the complex experiences of mixed-race Japanese individuals in modern-day Japan. The film follows the lives of five "hafus," or people who have one Japanese parent and one non-Japanese parent, as they navigate their multicultural identities in a country that proudly proclaims to be mono-ethnic. For some hafus, Japan is the only home they know, while for others, living in Japan is an entirely new experience. Still others find themselves caught between two different worlds.
Experience the Morikami Gardens After-Hours
Sunset Stroll
Join us for an enchanting evening at our Sunset Strolls. Each evening includes exhilarating Taiko drum performances and a variety of cultural and culinary delights. Explore the beauty of our gardens at dusk, enjoy Japanese name writing, and visit the Sean Danconia Pop Surreal Art Show. This event is perfect for a romantic evening out, a family …
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 24, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Festival Fans
Summer is here, the time to go to festivals while keeping cool! Make a festive fan of your own for Independence Day.
12:00PM, Saturday, June 29, 2024
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
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 3, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Thursday, July 4, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Friday, July 5, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Saturday, July 6, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Sunday, July 7, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Mini Folding Screen
Make your own miniature Japanese paper folding screen to decorate your desk!
12:00PM, Saturday, July 20, 2024
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Educational Programming
Registration Opens for the NEW Season Today
All programs open for Registration and Ticket purchase(s).
The season runs from October of the present year through the summer of the following year. The season is available for registration and ticket purchases on August 1st every year.
10:00AM, Thursday, August 1, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Cicada Noisemaker
Cicadas, or semi in Japanese, are famous for their chorus of buzzing in the summer. Imitate their buzzing by making your own noisemaker!
12:00PM, Saturday, August 17, 2024
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Shubun no Hi Flowers
Celebrate Shubun no Hi, the Autumn Equinox, with the flowers of the season in a tissue paper craft.
12:00PM, Sunday, September 22, 2024
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Educational Programming
NEW Season Starts Today
All programs open for Registration and Ticket purchase(s).
The season runs from October of the present year through the summer of the following year. The season is available for registration and ticket purchases on August 1st every year.