Special Programs

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.

An Afternoon of Violin and Piano Author Reading and Haiku Workshop Families ReadingTogether Kick-Off Event Films Koto New Year Concert Morikami Book Club Mori Stories 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. Every Wednesday and Friday, you can escape into the serene beauty of our lush …

9:00AM, Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, February 21, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, February 28, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, March 7, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, March 14, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, March 21, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, March 28, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, April 4, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, April 11, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, April 18, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, April 25, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 2, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 9, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 16, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 23, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, May 30, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 6, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 13, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 20, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, June 27, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 4, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 11, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 18, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, July 25, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 1, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 8, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 15, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 22, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, August 29, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 5, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 12, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 19, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Morikami Gardens
9:00AM, Friday, September 26, 2025
Morikami Gardens
Take a cinematic journey through Japan with the Morikami Film Series
Film: Touch
Underwritten by Linda and Michael Sonnenreich
A romantic and thrilling story that spans several decades and continents, Touch follows one man’s emotional journey to find his first love who disappeared 50 years go…before his time runs out.
7:00PM, Friday, February 28, 2025
Morikami Theater
Taste of Asia A Culinary and Cultural Experience March 8th, 2025
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 8, 2025, 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 8, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
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, March 12, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Stranger in the shogun’s city. By: Amy Stanley
12:00PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Honeybees and distant thunder. By: Riku Onda
12:00PM, Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
African Samurai. By: Thomas Lockley
12:00PM, Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Shutting out the sun; How Japan created its own lost generation. By: Michael Zielenziger
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.
1:00PM, Thursday, April 3, 2025
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Taiko Drumming Show outside at sunset with guests viewing from the terrace
Experience the Morikami Gardens After-Hours.
Sunset Stroll
Sunset Strolls run throughout the summer.

2025 Sunset Stroll Dates: April 10, 2025 May 22, 2025 June 12, 2025 September 11, 2025 Taiko Drumming Performances by Fushu Daiko Experience thrilling Japanese drumming performances with a beautiful backdrop across Morikami Lake. Performances are on the outside terrace. 6:10 pm – 6:35 pm - Fushu Daiko Taiko Show #1 6:50 pm – 7:15 pm - Fushu …

5:30PM, Thursday, April 10, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
5:30PM, Thursday, May 22, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
5:30PM, Thursday, June 12, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
5:30PM, Thursday, September 11, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
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, Sunday, April 20, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Happy Holidays!
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
Craft activities for kids of all ages.
Virtual Family Fun Days
Virtual craft activities for kids of all ages.
12:00PM, Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Virtual
12:00PM, Sunday, May 18, 2025
Virtual
Underwritten by JM Family Enterprises
Documentary Film: Fall Seven Times, Get up Eight: The Japanese War Brides
Discussion led by Director Kathryn Tolbert and Moderator Dr. Mitzi Carter
Despite lingering wartime enmity, tens of thousands of Japanese wives -- the biggest influx of Asian women in U.S. history -- crossed the Pacific. They began new lives in difficult and to them mysterious circumstances, scattered across the country in places where they were often the first Japanese ever seen. What was it like to abandon family, friends and country, and marry a former enemy? Even for those whose choice of spouse proved to be a tragic mistake, there was no turning back. Many in Japan viewed them as social outcasts and even today the words "war bride" in Japanese carry such a stigma -- of bar girls, even prostitution -- that people don't like to say them. Now these women are in their 80s. This is their story, of lives shaped by one irrevocable decision. Kathryn Tolbert was a
7:00PM, Friday, May 2, 2025
Morikami Theater
Black Pine
World Bonsai Day
Join us at The Morikami for World Bonsai Day, where you can explore the ancient art of bonsai. Celebrate World Bonsai Day with bonsai pruning and potting demos, bonsai vendors, and Japanese artisan vendors.
10:00AM, Saturday, May 10, 2025
Morikami Gardens
Children in Kimono playing Koto
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
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
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.
6:30PM, Sunday, August 17, 2025
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
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