Pavilion much in the same way you can today , though some of the restaurants and merchandise offerings have changed .
Pavilion layout from an excerpt of the EPCOT brochure circa 1984 . SCAN & RESTORATION BY RAIN BLANKEN
The buildings in the Japan Pavilion are not from a single region in Japan ; instead , they showcase landmarks from all over the country .
Even the Cultural Representatives of Japan are impressed with the authenticity of the Japan Pavilion grounds . Koichi Hirano , a Chef at Teppan Edo in the Japan Pavilion , expressed to us his appreciation for how his country has been represented : “ I like the atmosphere … we have very nice pavilion buildings , which showcase famous places in Japan .”
The five-story Goju-no-To Pagoda ( on which you may have seen the Matsuriza taiko drummers perform ) is a reproduction of a temple by the same name in the Tohoku ( northeast ) region of Japan . You can spot this eye-catching temple across World Showcase Lagoon ; the majestic icon often draws visitors into the pavilion .
At the back of the pavilion , a faithful reproduction pays tribute to Himeji Castle , often called “ Shirasagi-jo ” or “ White Heron Castle ” ( shirasagi means white heron ; jo means castle ) due to its elegant white sloping walls and imposing stature . It is located in the southwest area of Japan , far from the real Goju-no- To Pagoda . The copy at EPCOT houses part of the Mitsukoshi Department Store and the Bijutsu-kan Gallery .
The subject of many PhotoPass photos , the traditional red Japanese torii looks as though it has been in the waters of the lagoon for ages . Torii gates mark the entrance of Shinto shrines in Japan and represent the crossing between the secular and sacred worlds . This particular gate pays homage to the famous Itsukushima Shrine floating gate , which still wades peacefully in the waters of western Japan .
Across from the Goju-no- To Pagoda is a replica of the Shishinden . The real thing served as a ceremonial hall at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto , a romantic city