Oshogatsu, A New Years Celebration - Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens NEW

Now in its 33rd year at the Morikami, Oshogatsu - the traditional New Year celebratory festival – is celebrated with games and entertainment throughout the museum and its gardens. The day's activities will include Japan's customary rice-pounding, making mochi rice cakes and a sado tea ceremony as well as kakizome, hands-on calligraphy; nengajo, New Year's card making and omikuji, fortune telling. Special appearances by shishimai, the lion dancer are sure to bring in good luck for the New Year!

The Japanese New Year is celebrated in accordance with the Japanese Zodiac, represented by 12 animals in a 12-year cycle. According to legend, Buddha invited all the animals to his kingdom, but only 12 showed up. Out of gratitude, Buddha named a year after each animal in the order of their arrival: mouse, ox/cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar. This year, we celebrate the Year of the Rabbit for those born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011.

GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AND SAVE!
Cost: $8 for adults, $4 for kids (Museum members and children 3 and under FREE)

Tickets at the gate:
Cost: $10 adults, $5 children (Museum members and children 3 and under FREE)

Oshogatsu Children's Activities
Hanetsuki
Celebrate your competitive spirit and play a Japanese game similar to badminton.
Continuous all-day activity

Fukuwarai
The future is in your hands.  Play the goddess of Happiness game. Continuous all-day activity

Jan Ken Pon
Try winning a prize with this traditional activity similar to paper, rock, scissors.
Continuous all-day activity

Go & Daruma Otoshi
For the gamer in you!  Try your hand at these Japanese favorites!
Continuous all-day activites

Year of the Rabbit craft making
Feeling crafty?  Come show off your creative side! Continuous all-day activity

Garden Trek Origami Making
Continuous all-day activity

Kid's Obstacle Course
Continuous all-day activity