The Mitsukoshi Department Store in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

By Lisa Green

I’m planning to write an article about my favorite stores in Walt Disney World – so I started thinking about them – where they’re located, what type of merchandise they carry, and why I love them.  I’m still going to write that post, but in the middle of all that thinking….I couldn’t get my mind off the ONE most fantastic store in the World.  It really deserves its very own place in the limelight – without being grouped in with other great, but, let’s face it, lesser…or maybe I should say, more mainstream or ordinary stores.

If you’ve visited Walt Disney World but passed up the opportunity to visit the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion – I can understand how that could happen, but I need to…well…point out the error of your ways.  The store isn’t out there, up front with attractive window displays designed to draw you in.  The understated entrance gives no hint of the riches to be found inside – a treasure trove of unimaginable variety.  Do NOT pass through the World Showcase without taking at least a few minutes to look around at this huge and fascinating collection of Japanese goods!  I’ve been in Mitsukoshi many times, but every time feels like the first – and I always discover some new section I didn’t know existed.

Believe me, I’m not exaggerating or building this up for a good story.  Unless you’ve had the chance to visit Japan (the actual country), I cannot believe you wouldn’t be impressed and, dare I say, enthralled by the enormous selection of unique merchandise within this building!  All the things you would expect to find are there – and so much more!!!  Traditional Japanese shoes and clothing?  Yes.  Incense, teas and teapots, chopsticks, swords, and fans?  Check!  Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Sanrio, Domo tees and collectibles – they’ll fix you up!  Tabi socks, books and jewelry – it’s all there!  But there’s also so much more!

The Pick a Pearl counter allows you to choose a live oyster from a tank for a Cast Member to open for you…and retrieve your pearl!  You can have it made into a piece of jewelry right then and there or take it with you as is.  Ever wanted a Bonsai Tree of your very own?  The have a tiny forest from which to make your selection.  Too hard to take it home?  Buy a Bonsai seed kit instead!  Curious about Japanese food, candy and soft drinks?  Go wild in an entire room full of every imaginable snack, sweet, cracker – if you’re having a hankering for some shredded dry fish?  Not to worry!  They have that too (and it tastes better than you’d think)!

One of Joseph’s favorite things to do at Walt Disney World is to take his time at Mitsukoshi and pick out a variety of Japanese packaged foods to try.

So much there is unlike anything we’ve ever had before!  At this point, he’s been to the store enough to have some favorites he’ll buy each time we visit.  Last week while we were there, he enlisted Megan’s assistance in picking out some new and different snacks (I even got to pick out something!).  Some of the candy looked so strange but was surprisingly tasty!  The descriptions on most packaging are completely in Japanese – so you’re pretty much guessing what you may be getting based on pictures and/or what the candy or snack looks like.  The mystery of it is what makes choosing treats so much fun! 

There is literally something for everyone at Mitsukoshi and if it’s souvenirs you’re after – you’re guaranteed to find special and unique treasures for everyone on your list!
Have you been to Mitsukoshi?  What did you think?

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast! 

Traveling With an Old Friend to Walt Disney World

by Beth Skarp

I just returned from a trip to Walt Disney World. This trip, just my youngest sister and myself went. Due to medical reasons, the rest of the family could not join us (we had just returned from the World a mere three weeks prior). 

This trip we were to meet up with some Disney friends who are part of a special Disney Facebook group I belong to. This particular group came from overseas—mostly England—although I did manage to meet up with and enjoy some time with some local friends as well. Our meet-up was called the “British Invasion”. Many from the Facebook group wanted to be a part of the British Invasion, but for one reason or another they were unable to attend. Since this particular Disney Facebook group uses Jiminy Cricket as the Mascot, I figured I would take Jiminy along with me, and I'm so glad that I did!

First off, let me mention that Jiminy is a rather “rare” stuffed character. Several of the cast members I encountered commented that Jiminy had not been seen in the parks “for a good many years”. I can't begin to count the number of times I was approached and asked where in the “World” I got Jiminy. One guest even flashed me a one hundred dollar bill and asked if they could purchase my Jiminy right on the spot—dirty nose and scuffed up as he was. Sorry, Jiminy was not for sale. I have had Jiminy for many years and was unwilling to part with him.

I wanted Jiminy to do all the things that my fellow Disney Facebook group members would do, if they were with us. But I got to thinking. Jiminy was rather small. He could possibly do things that someone of my size could not. So, what sort of things could Jiminy do?

First off, Jiminy took a trip completely around World Showcase, visiting each and every land and posing with something or someone that would depict that particular Country. Since I love the Gran Marnier Orange Slushie from France—our group even has a “special” table we frequent all the time when we go—I figured we would begin our Jiminy Adventure here. I quickly learned that Jiminy loves the same drinks I do. How do I know this? Every time I tried to pose him, he would fall face first into my drink. I am sure Jiminy is not really a lush, but my sister and I got a laugh out of his doing this no matter what we tried. We quickly learned to keep the wet-wipes handy to clean his face.

Here are some pictures of Jiminy's Adventures Around World Showcase. He really had quite the Adventures.

 Jiminy, going through security at International Gateway.

 

With the Boat Captain who piloted us to International Gateway.

Notice how I had to "prop" Jiminy up here. This is after he fell face first into the first glass.

  

Getting a little bit artsy in France.

Stopping for a quick nibble in Morrocco.

Everyone has to try on the Fez hats....including Jiminy.

Hmmmm....I wonder if that kimono comes in a size small enough that I could wear. As a matter of fact, it does.

 

Wow, that fish pond in Japan looks really inviting. Have you ever taken the time to view the fish here?

Since I knew how much Nicholas Maglio loves beer, i wanted to capture this shot. I am curious....has anyone ever had any of these beers?

This wonderful Cast Member loved Jiminy and asked if she could pose with him outside of the American Adventure Gift Shop.

Jiminy enjoyed visiting the KidCot Centers as well. Here he is in Italy.

He also tried to "hide:" among the masks. He didn't really succeed.

I think Jiminy was still fun from France, or he would have enjoyed a stein of beer in Germany as well. He did enjoy getting cooled off from the fountain though.  

 
The FIFA Soccer games were going on. Jiminy wanted to show a bit of his soccer side as well.

On the pathway in the Outpost area, just before you get to the bridge.

 

 China.

 Rubbing Buddaha's belly for good luck.

Troll hunting in Norway.

Trying on the Viking hat.

  
A Jiminy sized Sombrero.

A Goofy sized hat.

 
My favorite shot actually. This cast member worked and worked to get Jiminy to hold still long enough for this picture. Just outside of Le Cellier in Canada.

Our final stop....Rose & Crown in United Kingdom.

Since Jiminy had a great time at World Showcase, we figured we would venture out and see what other mischief we could get into. Stayed tuned for the further adventures of Jiminy's Travels in the World. 

The Torii Gate in the Japan Pavilion, Epcot

By Barbie

This is called the Torii Gate, at the Japanese Pavilion in Epcot. It overlooks Spaceship Earth and is a prime photography spot for everyone who passes by. I know that we have helped many people set up their perfect family shot, making sure that everyone was included in the picture.

The area surrounding the Gate is lovely, with a koi pond, pools and lush plantings.

Just recently, the Torii Gate was painted, and it just doesn't seem to be the tranquil place of antiquity that it used to be. Wow who picked out that color! I hope it fades soon!

Epcot - Japan Candy Artist

by Gaylin

Until recently, on the Epcot schedule, Japan had a candy artist. Her name was Miyuki and she was a wonderful artist, a great entertainer and her results were edible! Her cart was in front of the store at Japan and it was partially cordoned off as the rice candy had to be kept very hot to be pliable. Sadly she retired on November 23, 2013, she had been entertaining at the Japan pavilion since 1996.

She would ask for suggestions from the crowd as to what animals to make and once she had an idea, she would colour some of the rice candy and start working! She made more than one piece of art per show and it was amazing how fast she worked.

When we saw her, the first piece she made was a unicorn.

 

The second piece was a bird, not sure what kind but it is a beautiful shade of blue.

Miyuki did not always stay behind the cart, she walked around and sculpted while she walked and talked – multi-tasking at its finest. This is the beginning of a dragon.

The finished dragon.

I am not sure what this is but it was by far the most complicated piece of the show.

And finally, she asked me what I would like, I blurted out dolphin and got this lovely creature! Sadly I can't tell you how the candy tastes as it is made from rice and I am allergic. My friend said it was very good, he was glad to not have to share.