What to do in Japan at EPCOT

What is easy to miss in the Japan pavilion?

The gardens. Behind the shops, the courtyard is filled with pools and gardens, with koi ponds, footbridges, rock gardens and waterfalls, as Resorts Gal describes them. At the back stands a Japanese castle with its own moat, and its gate leads into the Bijutsu-kan Gallery, according to Wikipedia's account of the pavilion.

The gallery's current show, on Disney's own page, is Kawaii: Japan's Cute Culture, on where the culture of cute came from, with Hello Kitty among the exhibits. It costs nothing extra.

How much is Pick-a-Pearl at EPCOT?

About $20 an oyster, MickeyBlog reported on 7 September 2026. Inside Mitsukoshi you choose a live oyster from a tank, a cast member opens it with some ceremony, and you keep the pearl. Settings to turn it into jewellery cost extra.

In September 2026 Mitsukoshi is running Pearl Tuesdays, on the 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, when a pearl can be drilled and set into jewellery the same day, MickeyBlog reports. On other days, custom drilled settings come only with ready-made pieces.

When do the Japan taiko drummers play?

Matsuriza, the taiko troupe, plays on giant drums near the base of the pagoda, Resorts Gal says. Disney does not publish a fixed timetable on its page for the show; the day's times are in the My Disney Experience app.

Rides, films and exhibits

• Bijutsu-kan Gallery
  An exhibit on kawaii, Japan’s culture of cute: where it came from and how it grew.

Shows and performers

Set times change daily and are in the Disney app; the links go to Disney’s page for each.

• Matsuriza
  A taiko drumming troupe.

Where to eat

Places we have written up come first, cheapest first, with the opening line of our verdict. The rest link to Disney’s page.

• Kabuki Cafe · Snacks, about $9 a head
  Yes, for the kakigori on a hot day.
• Katsura Grill · Counter service, about $19 a head
  Yes, for a calmer lunch.
• Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya · Sit-down, about $35 a head
  Yes, and it is the better Japan pavilion choice for most people.
• Teppan Edo · Sit-down, about $40 a head
  Yes, if you understand what you are booking, and it is the one EPCOT restaurant people most often misjudge.
• Takumi-Tei · Sit-down, about $250 a head
  For people who want a real kaiseki meal, yes, and nothing else at Walt Disney World offers one.

Shops

• Capsule Toy Kiosk
  Collectible Japanese capsule toys.
• Mitsukoshi Department Store
  A Japanese department store: gifts, anime, snacks and stationery.

Around the lagoon

Every pavilion has a Kidcot Fun Stop, where children colour and collect a stamp from each country, on Disney’s own description. Next door round the lagoon: The American Adventure and Morocco. Or see all eleven pavilions.