Morikami’s original museum, the Yamato-kan, houses two permanent exhibitions. The Yamato Colony: Pioneering Japanese in Florida presents the history of this daring agriculture experiment that brought George Morikami to the Sunshine State.
The Yamato-kan, Morikami’s original museum building, is closed for renovations and new exhibit installations. During this time, Yamato Island, which houses Morikami’s bonsai collection as well as the koi and turtle feeding area remains open for visitors (unless otherwise directed by construction demands.)
The Yamato Colony
Pioneering Japanese in Florida
Why do we find the name Yamato, an ancient name for Japan, here in Palm Beach County? Because the Yamato Colony was a small community of Japanese farmers who lived in present-day northern Boca Raton. Learn the history of our founder, George Morikami, and the community of pioneering immigrants that once settled the area in our permanent exhibit The Yamato Colony: Pioneering Japanese in Florida. Click below for an in-depth history of the colony, written by our former Curator and Cultural Director, Tom Gregersen.