Seeing movies in Nagoya can be a challenging experience and quite expensive, with tickets starting at a minimum of 1700 JPY and additional charges for 3D, IMAX, and other features. However, there are some advantages to Japanese theaters, such as the availability of beer and good quality food at the concession stand. In general, theaters in Nagoya are similar to those found elsewhere, with a large screen, comfortable seats, and an expectation of silence during the movie. However, one notable difference is the abundance of foreign films available, including Hollywood movies and other cultural productions, which are generally offered in both subtitled and dubbed versions (at least in the city).
Let’s start with some tips to help you navigate the movie-going process:
Current Movies: To find out what movies are currently showing, look for 上映中の映画 on theater websites. It’s helpful to know katakana to read movie titles, though most sites have posters and descriptions.
Movie Release Dates in Japan: Check online resources like IMDB for release dates in Japan. IMDB typically shows the Japanese release date based on your location, and you can find a list of upcoming releases for the year.
Subtitles or Dubbing: To know if a movie is subtitled (字幕, jimaku) or dubbed (吹替, fukikae), check the theater’s website. Most children’s movies are dubbed, but in larger cities, you can find subtitled versions.
Fees and Discount Days: Familiarize yourself with terms like 基本料金 (basic fees), 一般 (general admission), 学生 (student), シニア (senior), and various discounts like 毎月1日 (first day of the month) or レディースデイ (Ladies Day). Theaters often have different discount days. A “kinken shoppu” may also resell group cheap discount tickets. The only downside of these is that sometimes the group discount tickets cannot be used for new movie releases.
3D/IMAX Movies: Check if a movie is in 3D or IMAX as it will be indicated near the movie title. Be prepared to pay extra for these screenings.
Best Times to Watch Movies: Movie theaters in Japan usually have showings from morning till late at night, with discounts for late-night or morning shows. The availability of subtitled children’s movies might be less than dubbed versions.
Selecting Seats: When buying tickets, you may be asked to select your specific seats. Which is actually kind of cool.
There are a load of movie theaters in and around Nagoya. Below are a few of the main ones.
Movie Theaters in Nagoya
109 Cinemas
The 109 cinema chain is a well-known brand that operates across the country. The Nagoya branch, situated in the bustling Sasashima area, is conveniently located next to the popular Zepp Nagoya and the Global Gate complex. This cinema used to be the largest in the city and boasts an impressive ten screens, including the latest technologies such as 3D, IMAX, and 4DX. Additionally, customers can take advantage of the points card system, which rewards them with a free viewing after visiting the cinema six times.
Where: Nakamura Ward, Hiraikechō, 4-chōme−60-14 Market Square Sasashima 2F (map)
Website: 109cinemas.net
Midland Square Cinema
Midland Square Cinema is an urban cinema complex in Nagoya that prioritizes environmental considerations, sound quality, and projection equipment to enhance the movie-going experience. The cinema offers a variety of seating options: regular seats made from photocatalytic soft leather, ergonomic premium seats featuring double memory foam technology for extra privacy, and reclining seats for an up-close big-screen experience. Notably, it’s the first in the Chubu region to introduce the high-quality “Dolby Cinema” screening system, making it a premium theater for movie enthusiasts. The complex, located on the 5th floor, includes a total of 2,174 seats, comprising 145 premium seats, 33 reclining seats, 163 Dolby Cinema seats, and 1,833 regular seats. For inquiries, their contact number is 052-527-8808, and business hours vary depending on the screening times.
Where: Midland Square 4 Chome-7-1 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0002 (map)
Website: midland-sq-cinema.jp
Midland Square Cinema 2
Midland Square Cinema is an urban cinema complex in Nagoya that prioritizes environmental considerations, sound quality, and projection equipment to enhance the movie-going experience. The cinema offers a variety of seating options: regular seats made from photocatalytic soft leather, ergonomic premium seats featuring double memory foam technology for extra privacy, and reclining seats for an up-close big-screen experience. Notably, it’s the first in the Chubu region to introduce the high-quality “Dolby Cinema” screening system, making it a premium theater for movie enthusiasts. The complex, located on the 5th floor, includes a total of 2,174 seats, comprising 145 premium seats, 33 reclining seats, 163 Dolby Cinema seats, and 1,833 regular seats. For inquiries, their contact number is 052-527-8808, and business hours vary depending on the screening times.
Where: Nakamura Ward, Meieki, 4-chōme-11-27 Symphony Toyota Building (map)
Website: midland-sq-cinema.jp
Fushimi Million Theater
Fushimi Million Theater is a haven for movie enthusiasts who have a penchant for arthouse and independent cinema. The theater boasts four screens, each of which showcases a unique selection of films that are not commonly found in mainstream theaters. From thought-provoking dramas to experimental documentaries, Fushimi Million Theater offers a diverse range of films that cater to different tastes and preferences. However, it’s important to note that the subtitles are only available in Japanese, which may pose a challenge for non-Japanese speakers. So, if you want to watch a French movie, you will need to either understand French or be able to read Japanese. Despite this, Fushimi Million Theater remains a must-visit destination for movie lovers who seek a unique and enriching cinematic experience.
Where: 2-chōme-15-５ Nishiki, Naka-ku (map)
Website: eigaya.com
Finding Movie Theaters in Nagoya
Use the Japanese website MovieWalker to find theaters. Choose your location and city from the provided menus. You can also find theaters using Google Maps by searching for 名古屋 映画館 (Nagoya eigakan, meaning “movie theater”). Or, give it a Google by clicking this click this link! Hopefully, you have something nearby. Hope you enjoy your movie!
hashi photo, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
