The beloved Japan Pavilion at EPCOT may look timeless , but a graceful evolution has been taking place here since opening day in 1982 .
To get a sense of what the Japan Pavilion is all about , we have to start with one name : Mitsukoshi . Mitsukoshi , Ltd . has been well-known in Japan for centuries . In 1673 , Takatoshi Mitsui opened up a kimono fabric shop in Tokyo before it was even called “ Tokyo .” Mitsui was a hit , and soon the business branched out , partnered up , and eventually incorporated . By 1904 , Mitsukoshi was
ABOVE & PREVIOUS PAGE : The Japan Pavilion at night . PHOTO BY CLIFF WANG
Japan ’ s first department store — and it remains the oldest department store in the world today .
Fast-forward to the late 1970s , when Mitsukoshi started to establish a foothold in America . A New York City headquarters opened , and soon Mitsukoshi was in talks with Mickey for a gate to Japan in the heart of a new park : EPCOT . Mitsukoshi , a successful and trusted Japanese brand , was ideal for bringing Japanese culture to life at Walt Disney World .
DEDICATIONS TO JAPANESE HERITAGE Back in 1982 , you could visit the Japan