Image: Palm Beach Illustrated

On January 8, the annual Oshogatsu Festival will take place at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens to celebrate the New Year.

The Japanese cultural center is known for being one of the most picturesque places in Palm Beach and it holds many events throughout the year, but none as anticipated as the Oshogatsu Festival. In Japanese culture, the New Year is considered the most important holiday of the year and celebrations usually last for about a week. The museum regularly stages exhibits that showcase traditional Japanese culture and explores modern life for Japanese people in America. They also hold cooking classes, Japanese calligraphy classes, ceramics courses, Zen lessons and special ceremonies.

According to Home Away, this year the celebrations will feature lion dancers, demonstrations of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, mocha rice cakes, live entertainment, customary rice pounding and calligraphy lessons. Visitors will also have the opportunity to receive an omikuji, a fortune written on a paper scroll to get a glimpse of what the new year holds.

In the Morikami Gardens guests can enjoy different styles such as traditional rock gardens, modern gardens and even a Paradise Garden intended to reflect Japanese gardens reminiscent of the 13th century.

Tickets to the Festival cost $10 and can be purchased at the door. If you buy them online, you may be able to get a discount.

Image: EventCrazy.com

Source: Home Away

Like Haute Living South Florida? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingFL. Want Haute Living South Florida delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.