Cinema Walk No. 6 "Kino Cinema Yokohama Minato Mirai, a small cinema in Minato Mirai"
"Cinema Walk" introduces mini-theaters in Kanagawa Prefecture. This time, we're introducing "kino cinéma Yokohama Minato Mirai." Minato Mirai, which attracts many tourists from Japan and abroad, is a city beloved by locals as well, lined with leisure facilities such as shopping malls, amusement parks, and art museums. There are also several cinemas, and watching a movie in Minato Mirai was a regular weekend activity for me as a student. But did you know that there is a mini-theater in Minato Mirai?
Exiting Exit 1 of Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line, you'll see the two towering towers that symbolize Yokohama: the Landmark Tower and Queen's Square. Turn your back on them and continue on, and a modern, all-glass building will catch your eye. On the first floor of this building facing the Grand Mall, you'll find the TSUTAYA Yokohama Minatomirai branch and a Starbucks, where you can read your favorite book with a cup of coffee. And in this corner, where the aroma of coffee wafts through the air, is the entrance to kino cinema Yokohama Minatomirai.
At the entrance on the first floor, pamphlets and introduction panels for films currently showing and those scheduled to be screened soon are lined up. The screen above displays the screening times and availability for each film, so you can either check the time of the film you're interested in or find information about films that are playing at a convenient time. This cinema, run by the Kinoshita Group, offers a wide range of films, from popular titles to independent cinema releases, in addition to films distributed by Kino Films. The lineup for the day included a popular film that was recently nominated for an Academy Award, as well as a documentary focusing on drummers.
Once you've decided on the movie you want to see, head to the theater. Take the stairs at the back or the elevator to the second floor and you'll arrive at the theater. The blue lettering on the sign, red flowers, wood-grain doors and white walls make for a charming interior reminiscent of a European cityscape, a stark contrast to the modern atmosphere on the first floor. It's stylish yet unpretentious and warm, and as if to symbolize this atmosphere, the familiar characters will be there to greet you in the restrooms.
On the second floor, there is a shop and a small merchandise area, and you can also order drinks from the bar, which is a great thing. From there, a long corridor leads to three theaters, with Theater 1 at the front having 55 seats, and Theaters 2 and 3 at the back having 111 seats each. There is an open ceiling in front of the theaters, so the sunlight streaming into the spacious space is very pleasant. Throughout the building, there are exhibits and panels related to the films being screened.
The seats in the theater are arranged with ample space between them. Each seat can recline and has armrests on both sides, so you can relax and enjoy the movie.
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 Cinema Yokohama Minato Mirai opened in the former location.
In this day and age, with the proliferation of streaming services, people can watch a wide range of films at home without having to rent or go to the cinema. In this day and age, the opening of a cinema where people can enjoy films of all genres seems to prove that the desire to watch films in a cinema remains unchanging.
Kino Cinema Yokohama Minato Mirai is a recommended movie theater for those making their mini-theater debut. Its open, atrium-style design makes it easy to just wander in. And thanks to its prime location, you can casually enjoy a movie night according to your daily schedule and mood, rather than just planning ahead. Take a break from shopping or sightseeing, or when you've split up with friends early. Thinking, "Come to think of it, I wonder if there's anything interesting playing?", pop in. You'll have the chance to discover a masterpiece you've never even heard of before. It's a small movie theater in a seaside town that's a natural fit for everyday life.
Kino Cinema Yokohama Minato Mirai
Homepage: here
4-7-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, 220-0012
Minato Mirai Mid Square 2F (TSUTAYA Yokohama Minato Mirai store 2F)
Cinema Walk No. 1 "Cinema Jack & Betty" in Wakabacho, Yokohama City
Cinema Walk No. 2: "Cinema Novecento" in Fujidana Shopping Street, Yokohama City
Cinema Walk No. 3 Yokohama City Isezakicho "Yokohama Cinemarine" is here
Cinema Walk No. 4: Fujisawa City Kugenuma Beach "Cinekoya"
Cinema Walk No. 5 "Kamakura City Kawakita Film Museum" is here
