Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A little piece of Japan

Visitors are surprised to discover a century-old connection between Japan and South Florida.  It was here that a group of young Japanese farmers created a community intended to revolutionize agriculture in the Sunshine State.

Their crop experimentations were disappointing and the group fell apart, except for one man—George Sukeji Morikami.  He continued to cultivate local crops, raise a family, purchase land and fall so much  in love with this area and our country that he donated land to Palm Beach County to be used as a park to preserve the memory of the Yamato Colony.

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This is not a botanical garden, where you will find trees and plants identified.  It is a place of tranquility and grace, where one can sit on a bench and enjoy a break from the noise of life.

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And see a turtle or two…or koi searching for food

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A few tourists…

 

 

 

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P1010025Lots of bonsai trees…and trees that are pruned and being artfully shaped by bamboo poles…and rock gardens.  Oh yes, and a good café!

This is a very nice place to visit and learn a little about Japanese culture.  Check it out at www.morikami.org.  We’ll have to go back again some day.  It’s worth a second look.

Sayonara for now, y’all!

9 comments:

Barb said...

And it's also a place where it is warm enough to wear shorts and capris! Woohoo!

Big hugs :]

ivana said...

Sayonara!!!!

I like these places, with trees and love for nature!!!
I'd wear light dresses like you...but we have under 0°C!!!!

Have a great Tuesday...
Hugs!!!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

as long as we have lived here (30 years now) we have never gone there. too bad!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Odat said...

Looks so peaceful!

Peace

Joy said...

Sounds like a fascinating place - I enjoyed the pictures. And yes, the shorts and capris look pretty good, too!

Get Off The Fat Bus said...

What a neat little place. I can feel people being happy while they created this.

Sandee said...

How cool. We would like this place and hubby would really like this place. He's a big fan of the Japanese culture. Particularly the Samurai (ancient warriors of Japan).

What a great bunch of photographs. Especially of you and Dick. Just saying.

Have a terrific day. Big hug from yet foggy California. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, it look (and sounds) so peaceful!

Haley D. said...

The gardens look beautiful, and I especially enjoy seeing the familiar faces there.