I wanted to do a post about the hidden gems of the World Showcase in EPCOT, but I could not decide which gem to write about so I am going to do a series of posts called World Showcase Wonders. I’ll highlight one gem in each pavilion. These are features that people might not notice as they hurry from store to store and restaurant to restaurant. At the end of this series I’ll have a downloadable brochure that you can print out and take to the parks so you can see of these gems for yourself. Today we are in Japan.
My favorite part of the Japan Pavilion is the Matsuriza, the Japanese drummers. I could watch and listen to them all day. Their schedule is listed in the EPCOT Time Guide, and they are the one performance in the World Showcase that I never miss. It was while I was watching the drummers that I discovered a hidden gem of the Japan Pavilion, Kaki Gori.
As I was listening to the drummers I noticed that several Guests were eating what looked like over-sized cups of shaved ice. I love shaved ice and wondered where they bought them. I discovered that there was a cart right outside the Japan Pavilion that served shaved ice. They call it Kaki Gori.
This is not typical wimpy shaved ice that comes with syrup the consistency of Kool-Aid. This shaved ice comes with thick flavorful fruit syrups and optional milk. I got the rainbow ice that had three syrup flavors on it, strawberry, honeydew, and tangerine. It was amazing. I enjoyed it so much that when we came back to the World Showcase a few days later I got another one. This is a treat not to be missed.
Goofy Tip: If you are looking for something fun to do while in the World Showcase try out the Kim Possible Adventure. There are kiosks throughout the World Showcase that will explain the game to you. You will receive a cell phone that gives you instructions. I think the coolest part of the game is that you can make things happen in the pavilions that no one else can do. I was waiting for my group outside a store in the Japan Pavilion and I thought I heard singing. I looked around and didn’t see anyone. When I heard it again I realized it came from a statue. A child had a Kim Possible cell phone in his hand and was making the statue sing. I was impressed. This game is filled with fun and surprises. The best surprise is that it is free!