Sakata Minato-za, Cinema hall in Sakata, Japan

Sakata Minato-za is a cinema in Sakata, Yamagata, with three screens seating 165, 50 and 30 people. The facade bears the words "Glittering Images and Sound". The original projection system decayed, so screenings now use a DVD player and projector.

The building was founded in 1887 and initially presented drama and kabuki performances before becoming a cinema in 1910. Following its closure in 2002 as the city's last cinema, it gained renewed attention through its appearance in the 2008 film Departures.

The cinema's name, Minato-za, refers to Sakata Harbour, where it was built in 1887. Local restaurants offer discounts to customers who show ticket stubs, part of efforts to bring film-going back to the city centre. The facade bears the words "Glittering Images and Sound".

The cinema is easily accessible and offers regular film screenings and special events throughout the year. Nearby restaurants often provide discounts for those visiting the venue, making it convenient to plan a full outing.

The building was acquired in 2008 by the non-profit Sakata Location Box, which was searching for shooting locations for Departures; director Yōjirō Takita agreed to take it on after his first viewing. The scene shot there shows Daigo, played by Masahiro Motoki, posing as a corpse for a training video.