Somewhat of a surprise, south Florida's Delray Beach was once the home for early 20th century Japanese pioneers. Jo Saki, a graduate of New York University, organized a group of Japanese farmers and led them to Florida’s eastern coast. Never growing larger than a population of 35 settlers, the Yamato Colony crop experimentation failed and by World War II all but one member moved on. Despite losing his property twice, George Sukeji Morikami continued on, raising and selling local crops. By the mid 70s, Morikami was in his 80s and decided to donate his property to Palm Beach County.
   Today, Morikami Museum and Gardens are a tribute to the Yamato Colony and especially George Morikami. Expanding on Morikami's wishes for the land to become a park, the gardens provide an authentic Japanese cultural experience and a center for inspiration and education. The garden's original Yamato-kam house offers a marvelous example of Japanese architecture, including a central open-air courtyard and dry gravel garden, all accessed through traditional sliding door panels and surrounded by lush tropical plantings.
   Located on 200 acre setting, the museum features over 5000 art objects and artifacts. Garden pathways encircle the lagoon, leading to a tropical Bonsai collection, a series of themed gardens and an assortment of garden sculptures. Space Shuttle astronaut Col. Ellison Shoji Onizuka and his Challenger crew mates are honored here at the gardens with a plaque and Kasuga style lantern (inset photo). Colonel Onizuka was a member of the STS 51-L crew which launched from Florida's Space Coast on January 28, 1986. All seven crew members died after the spacecraft broke apart a minute into the launch.

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