Disney World After Dark: Japan

We have just enjoyed watching The American Adventure and are now making our way back out into this clear evening in the World Showcase. Although we were able to rest a little during the show, we still need a quite moment to be at ease and to reflect on our day. We have come to just such a place - Japan.

"The torii gate is found throughout Japan at the entry to ancient shrines. A great vermilion torii on the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon, adapted from the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Bay, is the entry to Disney's shrine to the architecture and heritage of Japan in World Showcase.

Looming 83 feet above the pavement is a pagoda, adapted from the seventh-century Horyuji Shrine at Nara. (Although similar to the Chinese pagodas that inspired them, Japanese pagodas use less color, less curve, and less ornamentation, emphasizing instead the grace of the designs and simplicity of line.) Its five stories symbolize earth, water, fire, wind, and sky; and the pagoda is topped by a sorin composed of nine rings, each with its own wind chimes."

from Since the World Began by Jeff Kurtti, pg. 110

Here is Japan. Enjoy the peace and listen to the quiet!