Kinema Stroll, Part 6: "Kino Cinéma Yokohama Minato Mirai, a Small Cinema in Minato Mirai"
"Kinema Stroll" is a series introducing independent cinemas in Kanagawa Prefecture. This time, we're introducing "kino cinéma Yokohama Minato Mirai." Minato Mirai, a town loved by locals as well as tourists from both Japan and abroad, is lined with many leisure facilities such as shopping malls, amusement parks, and art museums. There are also several multiplex cinemas, and for me, watching a movie in Minato Mirai was a regular weekend activity during my student days. But did you know that there is an independent cinema in Minato Mirai?
Exiting from Exit 1 of Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line, you'll see two iconic Yokohama landmarks: Landmark Tower and Queen's Square. Turning your back on them and walking on, a modern building with a glass facade comes into view. On the first floor of this building, which faces Grand Mall, you'll find a TSUTAYA Yokohama Minatomirai store and a Starbucks, where you can enjoy reading your favorite book with a cup of coffee. And in this corner, where the aroma of coffee fills the air, is the entrance to kino cinéma Yokohama Minatomirai.
At the entrance on the first floor, pamphlets and informational panels for films currently showing and upcoming releases are displayed. The screen above shows the showtimes and availability for each film, making it easy to check the showtimes of films you're interested in, or to find information on films playing at a convenient time. This cinema, operated by the Kinoshita Group, handles a wide range of films, from popular blockbusters to independent films, in addition to films distributed by Kino Films. The lineup for this particular day included a highly acclaimed film nominated for an Academy Award recently, as well as a documentary focusing on a drummer.
Once you've decided which movie you want to see, it's time to head to the theater. Take the stairs or elevator at the back to the second floor, and you'll arrive at the theater. The blue lettering on the sign, the red flowers, the wood-grained door and white walls—in contrast to the modern atmosphere of the first floor, the interior is charming, reminiscent of a European streetscape. It's stylish yet unpretentious and warm, and as if to symbolize that atmosphere, familiar characters greet you with plenty of charm in the restrooms.
On the second floor, you'll find a shop and a small merchandise area, and thankfully, you can also order drinks from the drink bar. Three theaters line a long corridor extending from there; Theater 1 has 55 seats, while Theaters 2 and 3 each have 111 seats. The area in front of the theaters is open to the sky, allowing sunlight to stream into the spacious area, which feels wonderful. Throughout the building, you'll find displays and panels related to the films being shown.
The seats in the theater are spaced far enough apart. Each seat reclines, and the armrests on both sides are a welcome feature. You can relax and enjoy watching a movie in comfort.
Originally, this second-floor area was used for CD and DVD rentals, but the rental service ended in October 2018. The following year, in 2019, "kino cinéma Yokohama Minatomirai" opened in its place.
In this day and age, with the abundance of streaming services available, we can watch a wide variety of movies at home without having to rent them or go to the cinema. In this context, the opening of a cinema where you can enjoy movies of all genres seems to prove that the desire to watch movies in a cinema remains unchanged.
Kino Cinema Yokohama Minato Mirai is a recommended cinema for those experiencing a mini-theater for the first time. Its open, airy design makes it easy to casually drop in. Furthermore, its excellent location means you can enjoy watching a movie spontaneously, not just by planning ahead, but according to your daily schedule and mood. Whether it's in between shopping or sightseeing, or when you've parted ways with friends early, you might just pop in thinking, "I wonder if there's anything interesting playing?" You might just have a chance to stumble upon a masterpiece you've never even heard of before. It's a small cinema in a seaside town that's a part of everyday life.
kino cinéma Yokohama Minato Mirai
Homepage: Click here
4-7-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0012
Minato Mirai Mid Square 2F (TSUTAYA Yokohama Minato Mirai Store 2nd Floor)
The first installment of our cinema walk takes you to "Cinema Jack & Betty" in Wakaba-cho, Yokohama City.
The second installment of Kinema Stroll features "Cinema Novecento" in Fujidana Shopping Street, Yokohama City.
Cinema Walk No. 3 Yokohama City Isezakicho "Yokohama Cinemarine" is here
The fourth installment of our cinema walk takes us to "Cinecoya" in Kugenuma Kaigan, Fujisawa City.
Kinema Stroll, Part 5: "Kamakura City Kawakita Film Memorial Museum" is here
