The Japan pavilion is one of the original World Showcase pavilions. It had been in planning since the late 1970s, and Disney worked closely with Japanese architects to ensure the accuracy of the buildings.[1]
Many attractions have been proposed for the pavilion and one show building was built, but left unused.Meet the World was one planned attraction and was a clone of the attraction Meet the World that was once atTokyo Disneyland.[citation needed] However, management thought that the Japanese film's omission ofWorld War II might upset many Veterans, it was dropped. The show was so close to opening that the show building and rotating platform was built, but not used.
Numerous attractions were planned and purposed. Only one (Meet the World) was constructed.
For years, Imagineers have considered building an indoorroller coaster attraction based on Japan'sMount Fuji. The attraction would have been designed similarly toMatterhorn Bobsleds from Disneyland. The coaster would have been housed inside a replica of Mount Fuji.[2] At one point,Godzilla or a large lizard attacking guests in their cars was considered.[citation needed]Fujifilm originally wanted to sponsor the ride in the early 1990s, butKodak, a major EPCOT sponsor, convinced Disney to decline the sponsorship.[2] Luckily, the Matterhorn derived design elements survived to be incorporated intoExpedition Everest atDisney's Animal Kingdom ThemePark.[citation needed]
Another proposed attraction was a walk-through version ofCircle-Vision, in which guests would board and walk through aShinkansen (bullet train) and look through windows (actually film screens) that showcase Japan's changing landscapes. The train would have shaken and moved like a train traveling through the countryside.[2]
Meet the World (fromTokyo Disneyland) was planned for the pavilion. Unlike the other attractions that did not make it past the planning stages, Meet the World's show building was constructed with the theater intended to be built on the second floor. However, due to miscalculations made in the building's design, the rotating theater put a lot of stress on the support beams. For the attraction to be able to function safely, the show building would have to have major rework done. As EPCOT construction was behind schedule, it was decided to move forward without the attraction. Today, the current space is used for rehearsals and storage.
Pagoda resembling theHoryuji Temple at the Japan pavilion.
The Japan pavilion is made up of buildings surrounding a courtyard. The entrance to the courtyard features a Japanese pagoda based on theHoryuji Temple. Atorii gate, modelled after that ofItsukushima Shrine, decorates the water in front of the pavilion. The area is filled with Japanese pools and gardens. At the end of the courtyard is the gate to a Japanese castle, including a moat, which leads into a display of Japanese culture.
Bijutsu-kan – An exhibition gallery hosting long-term exhibits on Japanese art and culture. Its current presentation, "Kawaii Life", features a look at Japan's "Culture of Cute."
Teppan Edo is ateppanyaki-style restaurant, meaning that the food is cooked right in front of you at the table. The restaurant is directly above, and connected to, theMitsukoshi department store.[3] The decor and theming is intended to reflect the "vivaciousness" of theEdo period. Foods that are cooked on the table aresteaks, chicken,shrimps,scallops, andvegetables. Selectsushi rolls,miso soup,edamame, andtempura is offered as an appetizer, and variousice cream flavors, as well asmousses are options for dessert.[4] Kids meal are served inmonorail-shaped boxes.[5]
Katsura Grill: A counter-service restaurant located on a hill adjacent to the pagoda.
Tokyo Dining: Originally occupied by two separate restaurants, Tempura Kiku and the Matsu No Ma lounge, Tokyo Dining is now a sushi restaurant. They serve sushi, tempura and some other grilled items (such as steak, grilled chicken and so on).
Mitsukoshi Department Store: The store is separated into four zones: Festivity, Silence, Harmony, and Interest, and sells many Japanese items, including clothing, jewelry, books,manga,anime items (such asposters), and toys. It has been expanded in recent years to include a far greater variety of items than before. More specifically, a greater portion of thestore sellsJapanese pop culture related items, presumably to take advantage of the growing interest in these types of products inAmerica. To date, this is the only remaining branch of Mitsukoshi located in North America following the closure of Mitsukoshi's New York City location.
Matsuriza are traditionalTaiko drummers and a Japanese Storytellers located at the base of the pagoda.[7] Taiko performed at EPCOT began in 1983 when Kanto Abare Daiko became the first group to perform taiko at EPCOT.[8] Eventually, in 1993, they left and were replaced byOne World Taiko, consisting of Gary Tsujimoto and Nancy Ozaki, who were eventually joined byMatsuriza, and then replaced entirely by Matsuriza, who are the sole performing group at EPCOT to this day.[9][3]
The showIllumiNations: Reflections of Earth as seen from the Japan pavilion
