Motomiya Eiga Gekijo

Motomiya Eiga Gekijo is a three-story wooden theater building that seated approximately 1,000 spectators and operated as a cinema. The interior features traditional Japanese architectural elements and retains its original projection equipment from the early 20th century.

The building opened in 1914 as Motomiya-za playhouse and was converted to a cinema in 1943. It operated until closing in 1963.

The theater served the community as a gathering place for films, stage performances, wrestling matches, and traditional storytelling acts. It shaped local entertainment culture for generations.

Weekend guided tours are available by advance telephone reservation to explore the original projection equipment and movie memorabilia. Plan your visit in advance to secure a tour slot.

The theater preserves its original carbon arc projector from 1914, maintained continuously by a dedicated manager for over five decades. This working projector is one of the oldest functional machines of its kind.

GPS coordinates: 37.51303,140.40069

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41