Original WED building designs for Japan were based on the traditional Pagoda which originated in CHina<html><style> . Once this error was pointed out, smaller img { width: 250px; height: 300px; }</style><div class="smaller"></html>{{Template:Infobox Disney ride || image=Japanpavilion.jpg| caption='''The pagoda located within the whole Japan pavilion had to be reimagined. Pavilion was originally going to contain a massive show building. The interior hallway would have led to three destinations. The store was exbanded in 1984'''| Country= Japan| land=World Showcase| park= Epcot| opened=October 1, a small exhibit and a preshow are 1982| custom_label_1 = Number of Attractions| custom_value_1 = 0| custom_label_2 = Number of Restaurants| custom_value_2= 5}}<html></div></html>Japan is a carousel theater. The attraction known as "Meet the pavilion located within World" was going to be built Showcase in [[Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland simultanisouly]]. It is located between the [[The attraction would have featured a young boy American Adventure]] and girl with [[Morocco]].==Pavilion History==Although a magical craneJapan pavilion had always been planned for World Showcase, which would lead guests the pavilion went through Japans historymany changes before its creation. The show would have consited of four main acts which would use in theater effectsAs early as 1977, projections and Audio AnamatronicsImagineers had planned an omnimover attraction for the Japan pavilion <ref> http://progresscityusa. The projections would have been com/2012/06/16/a combination of live action and animation-secret-showcase/ </ref>. Act 1 was going to be the origin of Japan's Islands and their volcanic beginnings. We would then be introducted to our hosts as they traveled in At this time to islands early history, Disney still planned on having each World Showcase pavilion inside an identical semi-circular building. Act II would have featured Japan reaching out to the world and the world coming to it. It would have ended with the country in self imposed isolationism. Act III was going show the battle between isolation and expansionInside however, and Act IV guests would have shown Japan just after the 1940s as a modern nation once agian meeting the world. The fifth scene would have shown our hosts telling us goodbye. Unlike the Carousel of Progress, the seats would be in the center boarded their ride vehicles and the scenes would rotate. 6 600 seat theaters would rotate within the static scenes. Giving the aride an hourly 3600 taken guests capacity. The Sherman Brothers wrote on a complete score and lyrics for the attraction. However during consruction errors were found in the showbuilding. It was decided that tour of a new show building would need to be created, wide variety of Japan's landscapes and with Epcot already over budget the attraction was pushed to phase II. The Japan pavilion opened on October 1, 1982landmarks.
Since the the attraction Once it was never built, other ideas decided that each World Showcase pavilion would have been pitched architecture and theming unique to the individual country, Imagineering initially chose building designs for the showbuildingJapan pavilion were based on the traditional Pagoda, which had actually originated in China. One idea Once this error was for a circlevision journey aboard a bullet train. In recognized, the early 1990s an indoor rollercoaster was proped inside a replica of MOunt Fuji. Fuji Film offered whole pavilion had to cover its coast of construction and operation in return for sponsorhsipbe re-imagined <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=90 </ref>. The attraction however final version of the Japan pavilion was never built, although some inspired by various structures from all of itJapan's elements were later incorporated in Expedition Everestdifferent regions. Deal stalled due to Kodak's unhappiness with Fuji Film moving. Another plan was for modern day Japan to be added to Imagineers and consultants from Mitsukoshi designed the pavilion in to give guests a replica representative sampling of a variety of traditional structures, which would also serve practical needs. For example, the Ginza districtpavilion's torii was modeled after one found near Hiroshima Bay. Resturant redesigned and expanded in 2007. 2004-2007 The Goju No To pagoda on the fortress decor and roof other hand was refurbishedbased on a similar structure in Nara.
The Japan pavilion eventually opened with the rest of [[EPCOT Center]] on October 1, 1982. At this time, the pavilion included three restaurants (Temoura Kiki, Matsu No Ma lounge, and the Teppanyaki Dining Room), the Mitshukishi department store, and the Bijutsu-kan (a museum). The icon of the Japan pavilion is the Goju No To five-story pagoda, a building that is most associated with Buddhism. The five tiers of the pagoda each represent an element which Buddhists believe the universe was created from. Guests can often see live entertainment near the pagoda.
===Meet The World===
When the Japan was initially built, a massive show building was constructed behind the fortress <ref name= "Book"> The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>. The building was going to be home to an attraction known as "Meet the World"- a "carousel theater" type show which was being developed for [[EPCOT Center]] and Tokyo Disneyland simultaneously <ref name= "Martin"/>. Unlike [[The Carousel of Progress]] which used stationary sets with a rotating theater, Meet the World was going to have a stationary theater with rotating sets <ref name= "Jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/02/epcots_japan_pavilion_part_one.html </ref>. The theater would have featured six, 600 seat theaters, giving the ride an hourly capacity of 3,600 guests <ref name= "Martin"/>.
The Meet the World attraction would have followed a young boy, a young girl, and a magical crane, as they led the audience through Japan’s history<ref name= "Martin"/>. The show was to have consisted of four acts, which would use in-theater effects, projections, and Audio Animatronics, to tell the story. Act I of Meet the World was going to show the origin of Japan's islands and their volcanic beginnings. In this scene, the audience would have been introduced to their hosts as they traveled back to islands' early history<ref name= "Martin"/>. Act II would have then featured Japan reaching out to the world, and the world coming to it. This scene would have ended with the country in self-imposed isolationism<ref name= "Martin"/>. Picking up here, Act III was going to show the battle between the proponents of isolationism and the proponents of expansionism<ref name= "Martin"/>. Finally, Act IV would have shown Japan just after the 1940s, now a modern nation, and once again reaching out to the world. A final scene would then have featured the hosts saying goodbye<ref name= "Martin"/>.
[[Image:Gate.jpg|400px|thumb|The torii gate in the Japan pavilion. Photo by Harslight]]
Although the show was designed and ready to go, Meet the World never made its debut in the Japan pavilion. The reason for this may have been that during construction, errors were found in the show building <ref name= "Martin"/>. It was decided that a new show building would need to be created, and this put the future of the attraction in jeopardy<ref name= "Martin"/>. With EPCOT Center already over budget, the attraction was eventually pushed to Phase II of the park, before the project was cancelled <ref name= "Martin"/>. Another reason the attraction was not built may have been due to the fact that the show glossed over Japan's involvement in World War II <ref name= "Jack"/>. No matter the reason behind the decision, Meet the World was never installed in the Japan pavilion.
Since Meet the World was cancelled, other ideas have been suggested for the empty show building. One idea, called for a Circlevision-360 film aboard a bullet train <ref name= "Jack"/>, while in the early 1990s, Imagineers pitched an indoor roller coaster, which was to be housed inside a replica of Mount Fuji <ref name= "Martin"/>. Adding the potential of this proposal, Fuji Film offered to cover the cost of the coaster’s construction and operation in return for sponsorship <ref name= "Martin"/>. The deal stalled, however, due to Kodak’s (who sponsored [[Journey Into Imagination]] among other things in Walt Disney World) unhappiness with Fuji Film moving into Walt Disney World. Eventually, plans for the coaster fell through <ref name= "Martin"/> and the show building still remains unused.
===History Since Opening Day===
Throughout its history the Japan pavilion has seen a number of changes. The first came in 1991, when the Yakitori House was expanded <ref name= "Martin"/>.
Japan has two iconsIn 2007, a massive torii gate taht welcomes guests, located just off the pavilion shoreJapan’s Teppanyak Dining Room was completely redesigned and expanded <ref name= "Martin"/>. The restaurant eventually reopened as the more modern [[Teppan Edo]] <ref name= "Book"/>. The two otherrestaurants in Japan, is Tempura Kiki and the Matsu No Ma lounge, were combined into a goju-no-to or five-story pagodanew dining location called [[Tokyo Dining]] <ref name= "Book"/>. Later that year, the building is associated with Buddisim. The five tiers of refurbishment on the pagoda each represent an element which Buddistists belive the universe pavilion's fortress was created fromalso completed <ref name= "Martin"/>. They are earthIn December 2011, waterthe Yakitori House closed for refurbishment. When the restaurant reopened, fire, wind, and skyits name was changed to [[Katsura Grill]] <ref> http://www. Live entertainmentwdwmagic.com/dining/yakitori- '''Matsuziza'''- This group of Japanese taiko drummers perform five days a week at the base of the pagodahouse. Dining- Kabuki Cafe- This quick service stand sells soft drinks, alcholoic beverages, and the popular kakigori (shaved ie with flavlored syrup and condensed milkhtm </ref>.)
There is also On October 20, 2015 a garden which is centered around new exhibit titled "Kawaii - Japan's Cute Culture" opened in the Japan pavilion. This gallery features various pieces that give guests a kou pondtaste of Japan's Kawaii culture. <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/japan/news/20oct2015-photos---epcots-japan-pavilion-gallery-updated-with-new-kawaii---japan's-cute-culture-exhibit. htm </ref>
Katsura GrillOn July 5, 2019, [[Takumi-Tei]] opened in the Japan pavilion <Ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/05/takumi-tei-restaurant- designed to resemble an authentic tea house, this counter -open-summer-2019-at-epcot/ </ref>. This new table service resturant specializes in shushirestaurant is operated by Mitsukoshi USA, and was designed to give the Japan pavilion a signature dining experience.
At ==Current Layout==There are two main buildings in the Japan pavilion; the first is large imposing building modeled after the Shishinden Shrine <Ref name= "name"/> . Known as the Hall Of Ceremonies, this building holds the Mitshukishi department store on the first story, as well as [[Tokyo Dining]] and [[Teppan Edo]] on the second. The back of the pavilion is themed to look like a fortress whcih , which was modeld modeled after Himeju Castlea castle known as Shirasagijo in the city of Himejie <Ref name= "name"> https://www.disneydocs.net/_files/ugd/5db718_0b875a96406e4bc4a103b184e3d1dc11.pdf </ref>. The castle fortress is surronded surrounded by a moat. The Currently the fortress today holds houses a Kidcot station , a museum , and a portion of the Mitsukoshi Department department store. Orignal name for Meet the World was "Winds of Change". Meet the world glossed over The Japan's involvment in World War II. Museum named Bijutsu-kan, exhibits change every 2 to 5 years. Rock Garden, These lanterns are illuminated three times each year -- once during the Setsubun Mantoro Festival in February and twice during the Obon Mantoro Festival in Augustpavilion also holds a garden which is centered around a koi pond.
Miyuki- Near Perhaps the Mitshukishi Department Store she turns heated rice dough into different animalstwo most recognizable structures are the pavilion are the Goju No To pagoda and the torii gate located on the pavilion's shore.
Garden House- Located across ==Attractions==[[Image:drummers.jpg|400px|thumb|Matsuziza performing. Photo by Curtis Palmer]]At this time, the courtyard from the Mitshukishi department store, this stand sells refreshmentsJapan pavilion does not feature any attractions.
There is also ==Exhibits=='''Kawaii - Japan's Cute Culture'''- This gallery gives guests a taste of Japan's Kawii culture. The exhibit opened on October 20, 2014 replacing the Spirited Beasts exhibit. ==Shopping=='''Mitsukoshi Department Store'''- This large imposing building modeled after store sells all kinds of authentic Japanese merchandise. Items sold here include: clothing, jewelry, books, and toys. ==Dining=='''[[ Kabuki Cafe]]''' - This quick service stand sells soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and the Gosho Imperial Palace popular kakigori (shaved ice with flavored syrup and condensed milk). '''[[Katsura Grill]]''' - Designed to resemble an authentic tea house, this counter service restaurant specializes in Kyotosushi. Known as '''Garden House''' - Located across the hall of ceremonies the building holds courtyard from the Mitshukishi department store , this stand sells refreshments. '''[[Tokyo Dining]]''' - This table service restaurant serves a traditional sushi meal. Tokyo Dining is located on the first story and second floor of the Hall Of Ceremonies. '''[[Teppan Edo]]'''- Located next to Tokyo Dining or , Teppan Edo features chefs who prepare stir fry in front of guests. '''[[Takumi-Tei]]'''- The Japan pavilion's signiture restaurant, Takumi-Tei offers guests both a la carte options, as well as a a multicourse tasting menu. ==Live Entertainment==The Japan pavilion has no live entertainment at this time. ===Former Entertainment==='''Miyuki'''- Based near the Mitshukishi Department Store, Miyuki turned heated rice dough into different animals. Miyuki’s final performance at Epcot came in November of 2013. '''Matsuziza'''- This group of Japanese taiko drummers performed five days a week at the base of the pavilion's pagoda. Matsuzika's final performance was on March 15, 2020. ==Fun Facts and Trivia==* The original name for the secondplanned Meet the World attraction was "Winds of Change" <ref name= "Jack"/>. * The five elements represented on the Japan pavilion's pagoda are: earth, wind, fire, water and sky <ref name= "Martin". * The Sherman Brothers wrote a complete score and lyrics for the unbuilt Meet the World attraction <ref> https://waltdatedworld.com/id207.htm </ref>. * The lanterns in the Japan pavilion are illuminated three times each year- once during the Setsubun Mantoro Festival in February, and twice during the Obon Mantoro Festival in August <ref name= "Spence">http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/02/epcots_japan_pavilion_part_two.html </ref>. * The exhibits in the Bijutsu-kan change every two to five years <ref name= "Spence"/>. ==References==
