Theatre Kamata

Kamata was once the centre for film production in Tokyo, with the famed Shochiku studios calling the area home and star actors and actresses strolling the streets. That era ended with studio closings and relocations in the latter part of the 1930s, and practically the only thing that still reminds people of Kamata’s illustrious past is this old-school movie theatre, which first opened its doors in 1964. Dedicated to showing both Japanese classics and the latest domestic hits, Theatre Kamata boasts two screens, comfy seating, stylish balconies and a very retro atmosphere. Find it on the fourth floor of a slightly run-down building that also houses a supermarket and a 100-yen shop, and note that practically none of the films shown here have English subtitles.