Our family has a special interest in bonsai’s and the Japanese culture. How fortunate we were to discover the Morikami Museum and Gardens on a trip to Delray Beach.

We arrived at 11:00 on a stunning Sunday: sunshine and cool weather with a slight breeze. The parking lot was already filled so we parked in overflow parking a short distance from the entrance. Others have suggested visiting during the week if possible. I agree. The walk around the lake is gravel, the reason other reviews have mentioned wearing close-toed shoes.

We took advantage of the senior ($13.98) and military admission($14.95) rates. Once paid and given admission bracelets, we received a map and brief orientation by a helpful docent. The two-sided map details 25 stops around the lake, an easy .5 mile walk dotted with many benches and places to stop and absorb the beautiful views.

Two restrooms are available in the registration building and another along the path around the lake. We were not at all bothered by bugs or mosquitoes in late February.

We enjoyed learning more about the bonsai culture in the Morikami Bonsai Collection. Bonsai, literally, “tray-planting” are trees or groupings of trees artistically-shaped and cultivated in a container. It was interesting to learn the date each tree was grown and then the year it was put “in training” to become a specific bonsai shape.

Rock gardens, bridges, islands, bridges, waterfalls, gates, displays, koi, basking turtles and more will keep you enchanted and visually inspired. Don’t forget to seek out the Buddha, Hotei, the resident god of happiness. He’s not as large as anticipated.

We did walk through the gift shop which was expensive. We left 1:00 pm. I was hoping to get a highly-recommended Bento Box but we didn’t have enough time to wait in the long line at prime lunch time.