Germany is a pavilion located within World Showcase in [[Epcot]]. It is located between the [[The American Adventure]] and [[Morocco]]<html><style> .smaller img { width: 250px; height: 300px; }</style><div class="smaller"></html>
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==Pavilion History and Layout==Although a Japan pavilion had always been planned for Once it was decided that each World Showcasepavilion would have architecture and theming unique to the individual country, the pavilion went through many changes before its creation. Original WED Imagineering initially chose building designs for the Japan pavilion were based on the traditional Pagoda, which had actually originated in China. Once this error was recognized, the whole pavilion had to be re-imagined<ref name= "Martin"> http://www. When martinsvids.net/?p=90 </ref>. The final version of the Japan pavilion finally was inspired by various structures from all of Japan's different regions. Imagineers and consultants from Mitsukoshi designed the pavilion to give guests a representative sampling of a variety of traditional structures, which would also serve practical needs. For example, the pavilion's torii was modeled after one found near Hiroshima Bay. The Goju No To pagoda on the other hand was based on a similar structure in Nara. The Japan pavilion eventually openedwith the rest of [[EPCOT Center]] on October 1, it 1982. At this time, the pavilion included three restaurants (Temoura Kiki, Matsu No Ma lounge, and the Teppanyaki Dining Room), a large the Mitshukishi department store, and a museum (the Bijutsu-kan(a museum). The icon of the Japan pavilion is a 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. There are two main buildings in ===Meet The World===When the Japan pavilion; the first is large imposing was initially built, a massive show building modeled after was constructed behind the Gosho Imperial Palace in Kyotofortress <ref name= "Book"> The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>. Known The building was going to be home to an attraction known as "Meet the Hall Of CeremoniesWorld"- 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 building holds 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 Mitshukishi department store on ride an hourly capacity of 3,600 guests <ref name= "Martin"/>. The Meet the first story World attraction would have followed a young boy, a young girl, and a magical crane, as they led the Tokyo Dining 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 Teppan Edo restaurants on Audio Animatronics, to tell the secondstory. The back Act I of Meet the pavilion is themed World was going to look like a fortress which 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 modeled 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 Himeju Castlethe 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 castle is surrounded 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 moatnew show building would need to be created, and it currently houses a Kidcot stationthis 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 museum and Circlevision-360 film aboard a portion 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 Mitsukoshi Department storepotential 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 also holds has seen a garden which is centered around a koi pondnumber of changes. The first came in 1991, when the Yakitori House was expanded <ref name= "Martin"/>. In 2007, the Japan’s Teppanyak Dining Room Restaurant was completely redesigned and expanded<ref name= "Martin"/>. The restaurant was divided into two restaurants, eventually reopened as the more modern [[Teppan Edo & Tokyo Dining]] <ref name= "Book"/>. The two other restaurants in Japan Temoura Kiki, Tempura Kiki and the Matsu No Ma lounge also closed, were combined into a new dining location called [[Tokyo Dining]] <ref name= "Book"/>. Later that year, the refurbishment on the pavilion’s pavilion's fortress was also completecompleted <ref name= "Martin"/>. In December 2011, the Yakitori House closed for refurbishment. When the restaurant reopened, its name was changed to [[Katsura Grill]] <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/yakitori-house.htm </ref>. On October 20, 2015 a new restaurant exhibit titled "Kawaii - Japan's Cute Culture" openedin the Japan pavilion. BijutsuThis gallery features various pieces that give guests a taste of Japan's Kawaii culture. <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/japan/news/20oct2015-kan is currently displayingphotos---epcots-japan-pavilion-gallery-updated-with-new-kawaii---japan's-cute-culture-exhibit.htm </ref> On July 5, "Spirited Beasts2019, [[Takumi-Tei]] opened in the Japan pavilion <Ref> https: From Ancient Stories //disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/05/takumi-tei-restaurant-to Anime Stars" which shows how mythological creatures are being Incorporated into Japanese pop-cultureopen-summer-2019-at-epcot/ </ref>. This new table service restaurant is operated by Mitsukoshi USA, and was designed to give the Japan pavilion a signature dining experience. ===Meet the World=Current Layout==When There are two main buildings in the Japan pavilion was built, a massive show building was constructed behind ; the fortress. The first is large imposing building was going to be home an attraction known as "Meet modeled after the WorldShishinden Shrine <Ref name= "name"/> . Meet Known as the World was going to be built "carousel theater" type attraction built in Epcot and Hall Of Ceremonies, this building holds the Mitshukishi department store on the first story, as well as [[Tokyo Disneyland simultaneously. Unlike Dining]] and [[The Carousel of ProgressTeppan Edo]] which has stationary sets with on the second. The back of the pavilion is themed to look like a rotating theaterfortress, Meet the World which was going to have stationary modeled after a stationary theater with rotating setscastle known as Shirasagijo in the city of Himejie <Ref name= "name"> https://www.disneydocs.net/_files/ugd/5db718_0b875a96406e4bc4a103b184e3d1dc11.pdf </ref>. The theater would feature sixfortress is surrounded by a moat. Currently the fortress houses a Kidcot station, 600 seat theatersa museum, giving the ride an hourly capacity and a portion of 3,600 gueststhe Mitsukoshi department store. The Japan pavilion also holds a garden which is centered around a koi pond. Perhaps the two most recognizable structures are the pavilion are the Goju No To pagoda and the torii gate located on the pavilion's shore.
Meet the World would have followed a young boy, a young girl and a magical crane, as they led the audience through Japan’s history. The show would have consisted of four acts which would use in theater effects, projections, and Audio Animatronics, to tell the story. Act I was going to show the origin of Japan’s islands and their volcanic beginnings. The audience would have been introduced to their hosts, as they traveled back to islands early history. Act II, would have featured Japan reaching out to the world, and the world coming it. It would have ended with the country in self-imposed isolationism. Act III was going to show the battle between the proponents of isolationism and the proponents of expansionism. Finally, Act IV would have showed Japan just after the 1940s, now a modern nation, and once again reaching out to the world. A final T scene would then have featured the hosts saying goodbye. Unlike the Carousel of Progress, the seats would be in the center and the scenes would rotate.
Although the show was designed and ready to go, during construction errors were found in the show building. It was decided that a new show building would need to be created, and this put the future of the attraction in jeopardy. With Epcot already over budget, the attraction was eventually pushed to Phase II of Epcot, with the expectation that the attraction would open in late 1983.
Unfortunately, Phase II of Epcot never came to fruition. Funds that were originally earmarked for World Showcase were instead diverted to the construction of Horizons, the [[Living Seas]] and the [[Journey into Imagination]] attraction. Others speculate, that the attraction was not built because the show glossed over Japan's involvement in World War II. Either way, since the attraction was never built, other ideas have been suggested for the empty show building. One idea, called for a Circlevision-360 film aboard a bullet train. In the early 1990s, Imagineers pitched an indoor roller-coaster, which was to be housed inside a replica of Mount Fuji. Fuji Film offered to cover the coast of the coaster’s construction and operation, in return for sponsorship. The deal stalled however, due to Kodak’s unhappiness with Fuji Film moving into Disney World. Eventually, plans for the coaster fell through and the show building remains unused.
==Attractions==
Although not specific to Italy[[Image:drummers.jpg|400px|thumb|Matsuziza performing. Photo by Curtis Palmer]]At this time, guests travel to the Japan pavilion when playing does not feature any attractions. ==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 interactive Kim Possible World Showcase AdventureSpirited Beasts exhibit.
'''Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure'''- On this interactive adventure, guests can grab a communicator and travel around World Showcase to help Kim and Ron save the world! The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure takes place in every one of the World Showcase countries.
==Shopping==
'''Mitsukoshi Department Store'''- This large store sells all kinds of authentic Japanese Merchandisemerchandise. Items sold here include, : clothing, jewelry, books, and toys.
==Dining==
''' [[ Kabuki Cafe]]''' - This quick service stand sells soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and the popular kakigori (shaved ice with flavored syrup and condensed milk).
'''[[Katsura Grill]]''' - designed Designed to resemble an authentic tea house, this counter service restaurant specializes in sushi.
'''Garden House''' - Located across the 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 second floor of the Hall Of Ceremonies.
'''[[Teppan Edo]]'''- Located next to Tokyo Dining, 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 perform performed five days a week at the base of the pavilion's pagoda. Matsuzika'''Miyuki'''- Based near the Mitshukishi Department Stores final performance was on March 15, Miyuki turns heated rice dough into different animals2020.
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
* Original The original name for the planned Meet the World attraction was "Winds of Change"<ref name= "Jack"/>.
* The five elements represented on the Japan pavilions 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 pavilion’s these lanterns Japan pavilion are illuminated three times each year. Once - once during the Setsubun Mantoro Festival in February, and then again 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==
http://www.mousebuzz.com/forum/wdw-restaurants/14644-epcot-restaurant-renovations.html
http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_jap.htm
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/02/epcots_japan_pavilion_part_one.html
http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id207.htm