Japan’s share of the World Showcase Lagoon shore.
Previously on Midlife Crisis Crossover:
Each year Anne and I take one (1) road trip to a different part of the United States and see attractions, wonders, and events we didn’t have back home. One thing we rarely do is fly. We’d much rather drive than be flown unless we absolutely have to…or are given some pretty sweet incentives to do so. Fast-forward to December 2022 and a most unexpected opportunity: The Powers That Be at Anne’s rather large place of employment recognized her and several other employees nationwide for outstanding achievements in the field of excellence. Their grand prize was a Disney World vacation! We could at last announce to friends and family, “THE GOLDENS ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!”
For Anne it was officially, legally a business trip. Much of the time, she’d have to work. Not ME, baby…
Most of my EPCOT experience was spent dawdling in the World Showcase, a combination outdoor international shopping mall and museum complex, subdivided into eleven nation simulations across four of the seven continents. Guests can learn about their cultures, sample their cuisine, buy their merchandise, and decide for themselves which bits are authentic carryovers and which are fun stereotypes. All the artifacts, curios, and souvenirs were doubtlessly vetted by multiple committees, but opinions will nonetheless vary among subscribers to the “Death of the Curator” interpretive theory.
Some areas showed up more in my photos than others. Exhibit B: Japan, whose pavilions and architecture were kept far from the China area, which really helped in keeping my pics straight.
Welcome to Disney’s Japan!
The distinct architecture of Japanese yore abounded.
Modest bonsai collection.
Sample pagoda.
Chimes and other percussion decorate the gardens.
Shishi-odoshi, a complex fountain set up to ward hungry animals off from their gardens.
More Shishi-odoshi, literally “deer-scaring”.
Pond and more greenery in front of the Katsura Grill, another of EPCOT’s high-end restaurants.
A horseman statue tucked away in a souvenir shop alcove.
Merch on hand included Cowboy Bebop Funko Pops, for folks with limited anime experience like me.
Kawaii-Zilla! Plush kaiju for the entire family, most of them apparently variations on the Super Mario universe or Gamera.
SWORDS!
Most intriguing was an entire exhibit about the fun world of Kawaii.
Blasts from the past included Astro Boy and Macoto Takahashi’s Dreaming Girls.
A variety of regional mascots and adorable critters.
The Salaryman merits an entire shelf of one cabinet.
Tanuki Daruma! IYKYK, i guess, idk.
Melty-Go-Round (Harajuku Girl), a 2015 tribute sculpture by Sebastian Masuda.
Whereas some cultures have a thousand gods, Japan has a billion IPs to love, so every child’s bedroom looks like this, I guess.
To be continued!
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Midlife Crisis Crossover! 