Changes

When the Japan pavilion finally openedin 1982, it included three restaurants (Temoura Kiki, Matsu No Ma lounge, and the Teppanyaki Dining Room), a large store, and the Bijutsu-kan (a museum). The icon of the Japan pavilion is a 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 the Japan pavilion; the first is large imposing building modeled after the Gosho Imperial Palace in Kyoto. 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 , and it was modeled after the Himeju Castle. The fortress is surrounded by a moat. Currently the fortress houses a Kidcot station, a museum and a portion of the Mitsukoshi department store. The Japan pavilion also holds a garden which is centered around a koi pond.