Japan
Germany is a pavilion located within World Showcase in Epcot. It is located between the The American Adventure and Morocco.
| Japan | |
| |
| The pagoda located within the Japan pavilion | |
| Epcot | |
| Land | World Showcase |
|---|---|
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| Number of Attractions | 0 |
| Number of Restaurants | Three |
|
| |
Contents
Pavilion History and Layout
Although a Japan pavilion had always been planned for World Showcase, the pavilion went through many changes before its creation. Original WED 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. When the pavilion finally opened, it included three restaurants (Temoura Kiki, Matsu No Ma lounge, and the Teppanyaki Dining Room), a large store, and a museum (Bijutsu-kan). 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, the building holds the Mitshukishi department store on the first story and the Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo restaurants on the second. The back of the pavilion is themed to look like a fortress which was modeled after Himeju Castle. The castle is surrounded by a moat, and it currently houses a Kidcot station, a museum and a portion of the Mitsukoshi Department store. The pavilion also holds a garden which is centered around a koi pond. In 2007, the Japan’s Teppanyak Dining Room Restaurant was completely redesigned and expanded. The restaurant was divided into two restaurants, the Teppan Edo & Tokyo Dining. The two other restaurants in Japan Temoura Kiki, Matsu No Ma lounge also closed. Later that year, the refurbishment on the pavilion’s fortress was also complete. In 2011, the Katsura Grill, a new restaurant opened. Bijutsu-kan is currently displaying, "Spirited Beasts: From Ancient Stories to Anime Stars" which shows how mythological creatures are being Incorporated into Japanese pop-culture.
Meet the World
When the Japan pavilion was built, a massive show building was constructed behind the fortress. The building was going to be home an attraction known as "Meet the World". Meet the World was going to be built "carousel theater" type attraction built in Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland simultaneously. Unlike The Carousel of Progress which has stationary sets with a rotating theater, Meet the World was going to have stationary a stationary theater with rotating sets. The theater would feature six, 600 seat theaters, giving the ride an hourly capacity of 3,600 guests.
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 Japan, guests travel to the pavilion when playing the interactive Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure.
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 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 popular kakigori (shaved with flavored syrup and condensed milk).
Katsura Grill - 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.
Live Entertainment
Matsuziza- This group of Japanese taiko drummers perform five days a week at the base of the pagoda.
Miyuki- Based near the Mitshukishi Department Store, Miyuki turns heated rice dough into different animals.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- Original name for Meet the World was "Winds of Change".
- The five elements represented on the Japan pavilions pagoda are: earth, wind, fire, water and sky.
- The Sherman Brothers wrote a complete score and lyrics for the Meet the World attraction.
- The lanterns in the pavilion’s these lanterns are illuminated three times each year. Once during the Setsubun Mantoro Festival in February, and then again during the Obon Mantoro Festival in August.
- The exhibits in the Bijutsu-kan, change every two to five years.
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
