Japan — Timeless Beauty

Timeless Beauty

A new exhibit has opened in the Japan Pavilion. Entitled “Timeless Beauty,” this display heralds the World Heritage sites of Japan. The entrance is located at the back of the pavilion on the left side as you enter the castle.

Entrance to Timelss Beauty

In 1971, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted an international treaty to identify, protect and preserve natural and cultural places of outstanding value to humanity. World Heritage sites belong to all people, no matter the country in which they are located. This new exhibit showcases the 14 World Heritage sites found throughout Japan.

UNESCO World Heritage Map of Japan

When you enter the exhibit, the first thing you notice is the rock garden. Often called “Zen gardens,” these were influenced mainly by Zen Buddhism and can often be found at temples of meditation. Rock gardens first appeared in the Muromachi period of Japanese history (1392-1568) and create symbolic representations of natural landscapes using stone arrangements, white sand, moss and pruned trees. When reflecting on this work of art, one might wonder, “Does it represent islands floating on a sea, or mountain peaks rising above the clouds?”

Japanese Rock Garden

The walls of this tranquil room are lined with the photographs of Kazuyoshi Miyoshi. An honored Japanese photographer, Mr. Miyoshi published a collection of his works in 1998 entitled “The World Heritage In Japan” and some of his photographs can be seen here.

Miyoshi Photographs

If you want to learn more about the World Heritage sites of Japan, a pamphlet is available.

Japan World Heritage Pamphlet

Will this exhibit knock your socks off? Nope. Should you visit it anyway? Yep. After you’ve wondered through the Mitsukoshi Department Store, you’ll pass right by the entrance as you exit the building. This exhibit won’t take more than five minutes of your time. And the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful pictures found in this room will feel like a deep breath and give you the courage to face the throngs of people just outside the door. Please, give it a try and give some of the photographs more than a passing glance. You’ll be glad you did.

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6 Replies to “Japan — Timeless Beauty”

  1. Hey Jack,

    This is what I love about Epcot: all the little nooks waiting for guests to explore. This exhibit is a great example of what you won’t find at other theme parks. Thank you for blogging about it!

    I’ll be visiting this exihibit on my next journey to Epcot in March during the Princess Marathon Weekend. But, how long will this exhibit be here?

    -Kirstin

  2. Cool to see this blog and promotion, Jack. I visited this exhibit on my last trip (sigh, less than two weeks ago) and thought it was beautiful. It was also very quiet, and therefore a nice place to escape the noise and rain.

  3. This sounds really nice. Are the tin toys still there too?

    Jack’s Answer:

    The Tin Toys were completely removed to make room for this new exhibit. Disney changes displays periodically just to keep things fresh.

  4. I think its exhibits like this, that don’t take up alot of your time that are worth pausing for the 5 mins to actually check it out!! Thanks for update!!

    Jack’s Comment:

    As I often tell people, not everything needs to be an “E” attraction. There is plenty of room for “lesser” adventures. This new attraction in Japan is a perfect example.

  5. hey jack
    thanks for the great article on the new exibit in Japan. I have recently begun to enjoy art more this past summer and will definettly visit this exibit next time i visit. can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.

  6. Hi Jack,
    This exhibit sounds like something my art/photography teacher husband would love to see. I hope the exhibit will still be there in Dec.