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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 opened, it included three restaurants (Temoura Kiki, Matsu No Ma lounge, was inspired by various structures from all of Japan's different regions. Imagineers and consultants from Mitsukoshi designed the Teppanyaki Dining Room), pavilion to give guests a large store, and the Bijutsu-kan (representative sampling of a museum). The icon variety of traditional structures, which would also serve practical needs. For example, the Japan pavilion is a five-story pagoda, a building that is most associated with Buddhism's torii was modeled after one found near Hiroshima Bay. The five tiers of the Goju No To pagoda each represent an element which Buddhists believe on the universe other hand was created from. Guests can often see live entertainment near the pagodabased on a similar structure in Nara.

There are two main buildings in the The Japan pavilion; eventually opened with the first is large imposing building modeled after the Gosho Imperial Palace in Kyotorest of [[EPCOT Center]] on October 1, 1982. Known as At this time, the Hall Of Ceremoniespavilion included three restaurants (Temoura Kiki, Matsu No Ma lounge, and the Teppanyaki Dining Room), this building holds the Mitshukishi department store on the first story as well as Tokyo Dining , and Teppan Edo on the secondBijutsu-kan (a museum). The back icon of the Japan pavilion is themed to look like the Goju No To five-story pagoda, a fortress and building that is most associated with Buddhism. The five tiers of the pagoda each represent an element which Buddhists believe the universe was modeled after created from. Guests can often see live entertainment near the Himeju Castlepagoda. ===Meet The fortress is surrounded by a moatWorld===When the Japan was initially built, and it currently houses a Kidcot station, a museum and a portion of massive show building was constructed behind the Mitsukoshi department storefortress <ref name= "Book"> The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>. The pavilion also holds building was going to be home to an attraction known as "Meet the World"- a garden "carousel theater" type show which is centered around was being developed for [[EPCOT Center]] and Tokyo Disneyland simultaneously <ref name= "Martin"/>. Unlike [[The Carousel of Progress]] which used stationary sets with a koi pondrotating 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"/>.

Throughout its history The Meet the Japan pavilion has seen World attraction would have followed a relatively few number of changes. In 2007young boy, a young girl, and a magical crane, as they led the audience through Japan’s Teppanyak Dining Room Restaurant was completely redesigned and expandedhistory<ref name= "Martin"/>. The restaurant show was divided into two restaurantsto have consisted of four acts, the Teppan Edo & Tokyo Dining. The two other restaurants which would use in Japan Temoura Kiki-theater effects, Matsu No Ma lounge also closed. Later that yearprojections, and Audio Animatronics, to tell the refurbishment on story. Act I of Meet the pavilion’s fortress World was also completegoing to show the origin of Japan's islands and their volcanic beginnings. In 2011this scene, the Katsura Grillaudience 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, a new restaurant openedand the world coming to it. BijutsuThis scene would have ended with the country in self-kan is currently displaying, imposed isolationism<ref name= "Spirited Beasts: From Ancient Stories to Anime StarsMartin" which shows how mythological creatures are being Incorporated into Japanese pop-culture/>. Picking up here, Act III was going to show the battle between the proponents of isolationism and the proponents of expansionism<ref name===Meet "Martin"/>. Finally, Act IV would have shown Japan just after the World==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"/>.When [[Image:Gate.jpg|400px|thumb|The torii gate in the Japan pavilion was built, a massive . Photo by Harslight]]Although the show building was constructed behind designed and ready to go, Meet the fortressWorld 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 going decided that a new show building would need to be home an created, and this put the future of the attraction known as in jeopardy<ref name= "Meet the WorldMartin"- a "carousel theater" type attraction which was being developed for />. With EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland simultaneously. Unlike [[The Carousel of Progress]] which used stationary sets with a rotating theateralready over budget, Meet the World attraction was going 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 a stationary theater with rotating setsbeen due to the fact that the show glossed over Japan's involvement in World War II <ref name= "Jack"/>. The theater would feature six, 600 seat theaters, giving No matter the ride an hourly capacity of 3reason behind the decision,600 guestsMeet the World was never installed in the Japan pavilion.

The Since Meet the World attraction would was cancelled, other ideas have followed a young boybeen suggested for the empty show building. One idea, called for a young girl and Circlevision-360 film aboard a magical cranebullet train <ref name= "Jack"/>, as they led while in the audience through Japan’s history. The show would have consisted of four acts which would use in theater effectsearly 1990s, projections, and Audio AnimatronicsImagineers pitched an indoor roller coaster, which was to tell be housed inside a replica of Mount Fuji <ref name= "Martin"/>. Adding the story. Act I potential of the show was going this proposal, Fuji Film offered to show cover the origin cost of Japan’s islands the coaster’s construction and their volcanic beginningsoperation in return for sponsorship <ref name= "Martin"/>. In this sceneThe deal stalled, the audience would have been introduced to their hostshowever, as they traveled back due to island’s early history. Act II, would have then featured Japan reaching out to the world, and the world coming to it. This scene would have ended Kodak’s (who sponsored [[Journey Into Imagination]] among other things in Walt Disney World) unhappiness with the country in self-imposed isolationismFuji Film moving into Walt Disney World. Picking up hereEventually, Act III was going to show plans for the battle between the proponents of isolationism coaster fell through <ref name= "Martin"/> and the proponents of expansionismshow building still remains unused. Finally, Act IV would have shown ===History Since Opening Day===Throughout its history the Japan just after the 1940s, now pavilion has seen a modern nationnumber of changes. The first came in 1991, and once again reaching out to when the world. A final scene would then have featured the hosts saying goodbyeYakitori House was expanded <ref name= "Martin"/>.

Although In 2007, the show Japan’s Teppanyak Dining Room was designed completely redesigned and ready to go, Meet expanded <ref name= "Martin"/>. The restaurant eventually reopened as the World never made its debut in the Japan pavilionmore modern [[Teppan Edo]] <ref name= "Book"/>. The reason for this may have been that during construction errors were found two other restaurants in Japan, Tempura Kiki and the show building. It was decided that Matsu No Ma lounge, were combined into a new show building would need to be createddining location called [[Tokyo Dining]] <ref name= "Book"/>. Later that year, and this put the future of refurbishment on the attraction in jeopardypavilion's fortress was also completed <ref name= "Martin"/>. With EPCOT Center already over budgetIn December 2011, the attraction Yakitori House closed for refurbishment. When the restaurant reopened, its name was eventually pushed changed to Phase II of the park[[Katsura Grill]] <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/yakitori-house.htm </ref>.  On October 20, with 2015 a new exhibit titled "Kawaii - Japan's Cute Culture" opened in the expectation Japan pavilion. This gallery features various pieces that give guests a taste 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> On July 5, 2019, [[Takumi-Tei]] opened in the attraction would Japan pavilion <Ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/05/takumi-tei-restaurant-to-open in late 1983-summer-2019-at-epcot/ </ref>. UnfortunatelyThis new table service restaurant is operated by Mitsukoshi USA, Phase II of Epcot never came and was designed to fruitiongive the Japan pavilion a signature dining experience. Funds that were originally earmarked for World Showcase were instead diverted to  ==Current Layout==There are two main buildings in the construction of HorizonsJapan 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 [[The Living SeasTokyo Dining]] and the [[Journey Into ImaginationTeppan Edo]] attraction. Another reason on the attraction was not built may have been because the show glossed over Japan's involvement in World War IIsecond. No matter The back of the reason behind the decisionpavilion is themed to look like a fortress, Meet the World which was never installed modeled after a castle known as Shirasagijo in the pavilioncity of Himejie <Ref name= "name"> https://www. Since the attraction was never built, other ideas have been suggested for the empty show buildingdisneydocs. One idea, called for net/_files/ugd/5db718_0b875a96406e4bc4a103b184e3d1dc11.pdf </ref>. The fortress is surrounded by a Circlevision-360 film aboard moat. Currently the fortress houses a bullet trainKidcot station, while in the early 1990sa museum, Imagineers pitched an indoor roller coaster, which was to be housed inside and a replica portion of Mount Fuji. Adding the validity of this proposal Fuji Film offered to cover the coast of the coaster’s construction and operation in return for sponsorshipMitsukoshi department store. 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 Disney WorldJapan pavilion also holds a garden which is centered around a koi pond. Eventually, plans for  Perhaps the coaster fell through two most recognizable structures are the pavilion are the Goju No To pagoda and the show building still remains unusedtorii gate located on the pavilion's shore.

[[Image:drummers.jpg|400px|thumb|Matsuziza performing. Photo by Curtis Palmer]]At this time, the Japan pavilion does not feature any attractions. ==Exhibits=='''Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent PKawaii - Japan's World Showcase AdventureCute Culture'''- On this interactive adventure, This gallery gives guests use a "F.O.N.E." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) to help Agent P. stop Dr. Doofenshmirtz, by looking for clues throughout World Showcasetaste of Japan's Kawii culture. The adventure is based exhibit opened on October 20, 2014 replacing the Disney cartoon Phineas and FerbSpirited Beasts exhibit. 

'''Mitsukoshi Department Store'''- This large store sells all kinds of authentic Japanese merchandise. Items sold here include, : clothing, jewelry, books, and toys.

''' [[ 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.

'''[[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.

'''Matsuziza'''- This group of Japanese taiko drummers perform five days a week The Japan pavilion has no live entertainment at the base of the pagodathis time.

''' Miyuki’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.

* 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 Japan pavilion are illuminated two three times each year- 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"/>.