Japan

Original WED building designs for Japan were based on the traditional Pagoda which originated in CHina. Once this error was pointed out, the whole 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, a small exhibit and a preshow are of a carousel theater. The attraction known as "Meet the World" was going to be built in Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland simultanisouly. The attraction would have featured a young boy and girl with a magical crane, which would lead guests through Japans history. The show would have consited of four main acts which would use in theater effects, projections and Audio Anamatronics. The projections would have been a combination of live action and animation. 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 time to islands early history. 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 expansion, and Act IV 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 and the scenes would rotate. 6 600 seat theaters would rotate within the static scenes. Giving the aride an hourly 3600 guests capacity. The Sherman Brothers wrote a complete score and lyrics for the attraction. However during consruction errors were found in the showbuilding. It was decided that a new show building would need to be created, and with Epcot already over budget the attraction was pushed to phase II. The Japan pavilion opened on October 1, 1982.

Since the the attraction was never built, other ideas have been pitched for the showbuilding. One idea was for a circlevision journey aboard a bullet train. In the early 1990s an indoor rollercoaster was proped inside a replica of MOunt Fuji. Fuji Film offered to cover its coast of construction and operation in return for sponsorhsip. The attraction however was never built, although some of it's elements were later incorporated in Expedition Everest. Deal stalled due to Kodak's unhappiness with Fuji Film moving. Another plan was for modern day Japan to be added to the pavilion in a replica of the Ginza district. Resturant redesigned and expanded in 2007. 2004-2007 the fortress decor and roof was refurbished.

Japan has two icons, a massive torii gate taht welcomes guests, located just off the pavilion shore. The other, is a goju-no-to or five-story pagoda, the building is associated with Buddisim. The five tiers of the pagoda each represent an element which Buddistists belive the universe was created from. They are earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. Live entertainment- Matsuziza- This group of Japanese taiko drummers perform five days a week at the base of the pagoda. Dining- Kabuki Cafe- This quick service stand sells soft drinks, alcholoic beverages, and the popular kakigori (shaved ie with flavlored syrup and condensed milk.)

There is also a garden which is centered around a kou pond.

Katsura Grill- designed to resemble an authentic tea house, this counter service resturant specializes in shushi.

At the back of the pavilion is a fortress whcih was modeld after Himeju Castle. The castle is surronded by a moat. The fortress today holds a Kidcot station a museum and a portion of the Mitsukoshi Department store. Orignal name for Meet the World was "Winds of Change". Meet the world glossed over 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 August.

Miyuki- Near the Mitshukishi Department Store she turns heated rice dough into different animals.

Garden House- Located across the courtyard from the Mitshukishi department store, this stand sells refreshments.

There is also a 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 or Teppan Edo on the second