Japan is a cultural pavilion representing the country of the same name as part of the World Showcase area of EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. Its location is between The American Adventure and Morocco pavilions.

History

The Japan pavilion is one of the original World Showcase pavilions and had been in planning since the late 1970s. Many attractions have been proposed for the pavilion and one show building was built, but left unused. Meet the World was one planned attraction and was a clone of the attraction Meet the World that was once at Tokyo Disneyland. However, management thought that the Japanese film's omission of World War II might upset many Veterans, it was dropped. The show was so close to opening that the show building and rotating platform was built, but not used.

Planned attractions

Numerous attractions were planned and purposed. Only one (Meet the World) was constructed.

Layout

The Japan pavilion is made up of buildings surrounding a courtyard. The entrance to the courtyard features a Japanese pagoda. A torii gate decorates the water in front of the pavilion. The area is filled with Japanese pools and gardens. At the end of the courtyard is the gate to a Japanese castle, including a moat, which leads into a display of Japanese culture.

Attractions and services

Exhibitions

Attractions

Former attractions

Dining

Former Dining

Shopping

Entertainment

Matsuriza

Matsuriza are traditional Taiko drummers and a Japanese Storytellers located at the base of the pagoda. Taiko performed at EPCOT began in 1983 when Kanto Abare Daiko became the first group to perform taiko at EPCOT. Eventually, in 1993, they left and were replaced by One World Taiko, consisting of Gary Tsujimoto and Nancy Ozaki, who were eventually joined by Matsuriza, and then replaced entirely by Matsuriza, who are the sole performing group at EPCOT to this day.