In the Japanese language “Taiko” means “great Drum”, and the Japanese Taiko drums have been enthralling audiences for centuries in religious ceremonies and festivals.
Epcot’s Japan Pavilion hosted the Matsuriza Drums from 1998 until 2020, the thundering sound of the great drum could be heard all around World Showcase. A stroll around World Showcase will be a little different without the drums in the background. We learned via Social Media that the final performance after almost 25 years was March 15th, 2020. Here is a performance from an ordinary summer day at Epcot in 2015, before the transformation. Take a look at the “skyline” of World Showcase at the beginning, that view will change dramatically as the transformation continues.
I’m happy to report, the Matsuriza Drummers have returned to Epcot’s World Showcase, here is the updated Show.