Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Explore the fascinating history of the Yamato Colony, a pioneering Japanese farming community established in the early 1900s in Boca Raton, Florida. Jo Sakai, a native of Miyazu, Japan, and a graduate of New York University, founded the colony. In 1905, he brought settlers from Japan who initially grew pineapples before shifting to winter vegetables. Although the colony was short-lived, its story reflects a unique chapter in Florida's agricultural history, impacted by market changes, World War I prosperity, and land development. By the time of World War II, few settlers remained, and the United States government eventually took control of the land. Today, Yamato Road and the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens serve as lasting reminders of these early settlers and their enduring impact on Palm Beach County.
Explore the fascinating history of the Yamato Colony, a pioneering Japanese farming community established in the early 1900s in Boca Raton, Florida. Jo Sakai, a native of Miyazu, Japan, and a graduate of New York University, founded the colony. In 1905, he brought settlers from Japan who initially grew pineapples before shifting to winter vegetables. Although the colony was short-lived, its story reflects a unique chapter in Florida's agricultural history, impacted by market changes, World War I prosperity, and land development. By the time of World War II, few settlers remained, and the United States government eventually took control of the land. Today, Yamato Road and the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens serve as lasting reminders of these early settlers and their enduring impact on Palm Beach County.
