Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens connect South Florida to Japan. In 1904 a graduate student named Jo Saki brought Japanese immigrant to the Boca Raton FL region to start a farming community called Yamato. The farming community after several years, disbanded and members sought other opportunities. The museum and gardens are dedicated to Japanese art and culture.
The museum opened in 1933. It has exhibits of the farming community, three exhibition galleries, a 225 seat theater, authentic tea house, research library, classrooms, and cafe. There are six gardens on 16 acres of land with strolling paths, waterfalls, stone structures, islands, a lake, and wildlife. There are 200 acres of park land with hiking trails, pine trees, and picnic areas.