This is hardly a major cultural obstacle or event that must be ticked off when on a holiday in Japan but, if you live here, or its a particularly rainy or jet lagged day, seeing a movie in a Japanese cinema can be a fantastic option.
Here are the things worth noticing ( or just little things that you might want to know about…)
You’ll need to triple check that you’re booking tickets for movies in English
When you check the movie timetable, you’ll need to make sure that the film ( if the original was made in English, of course) will be shown in English with Japanese subtitles NOT dubbed over in Japanese.
字幕版 (jimakuban) means ‘with subtitles’
吹替版 (fukikaeban) means ‘dubbed’ (using the voices of Japanese actors over the original voices)
If you’re buying the tickets at the cinema (face-to-face) you can check it is the Japanese subtitles version by saying ( or pointing to my written Japanese, if you’re feeling like a wuss) -> ‘この映画は字幕版ですか？’ (konoban wa jimakuban desu ka?’ = Is this movie the subtitle version?
Cinema seating is almost always reserved / set seating
No need to make sure you’re first in the door to make sure you’re not stuck with the front row. Also, it means you know if it’s still worth going as you’ll know ahead of time (whether you book at the counter or online…) if the cinema is already 99% full.
International / Imported / Western Films take a gazillion years to be shown in Japan
This drives me crazy and many Japanese people will tell you that it’s because they need time to add the subtitles – but that’s rubbish -as we have been to Korea and they only take a few weeks longer than movie debuts in the U.S.
The only upside to this?
The Premieres are often last in Japan so many of the big big Hollywood actors travel to Tokyo (usually Roppongi Hills) for the Premiere’s so it’s worth checking when these are and you may just brush shoulders with Hugh Jackman, Tom Cruise etc.
Because the movies do take so long to come out though, I do remember taking my kids to the Peter Rabbit movie last year, and then, when we got home, I realized that it was already available on my Aussie iTunes !!
There are ‘Mummy & Me’ theatre sessions
It’s worth checking if your local Tokyo cinema has a ‘赤ちゃんと一緒に’(akkachan to isshoni) = ‘together, with baby’ theatre sessions – Toho Cinemas call them Mamas Club Cinema.
The lights are dimmed but left on enough to see baby, other viewers will also have babies with them so there is no need to feel self-conscious about a noisy baby mid-film, you are welcome to ask the staff to alter the temperature of the cinema to suit baby’s needs.
For example, at Toho Cinemas, the Mum & Baby sessions are the first two showings on the first Thursday of every month.
Unfortunately the Mamas Club Cinema options have been put on hold since the beginning of the pandemic.
Alcohol is sold at the box office kiosks
Even in the mornings – which is hilarious to me. Wine and beer and sometimes chu-hais.
The Popcorn flavours are wacky
The flavours vary (although they do tend to keep the standard salt or caramel ..but there are usually another couple of options up too. Curry, pizza flavoured etc.
The fancy seats aren’t worth it
I don’t know if this is just an Australian thing but … in Australia you can pay extra to have Gold Class seating where you get extra comfy chairs and order food etc.
I thought I would surprise my hubby with the fancy seats in Tokyo and we could not stop giggling at the awkwardness. We just got a love seat in the middle of the theatre and another friend of mine had to sit next to her husband but in like a booth with a little separator (think… business class barrier style) between them. Romantic, huh?
The trailers before the films aren’t in correlation with the ratings of the film
This always shocks me when I take my kids to the movies. Even though we are waiting for a Disney movie to begin, there is often a thrasher movie trailer or a raunchy option played right before the movie. It’s so weird to me.
The popcorn and drink holders are so cleverly designed
They click into the seat cupholder and create a little, side tray table for your food and popcorn.
Everyone waits until the credits have finished (and by that, I mean, they don’t raise the lights until they have finished rolling either)
This is a lovely concept, in theory. I get it. I love the idea of appreciating the movie in its entirety until the very end. But most of the time I am dying to pee or the kids have had enough. The good side of this? You never miss those little extra bits that some movies throw in at the end…
If you want to leave earlier – you can totally do that (I have) but…realistically … when I’m with my kids… I need the lights up to make sure we have got all our stuff so we have to wait it out… and it feels like 4 million years…..
Everyone cleans up after themselves
Just like in Japanese fast food restaurants and food halls – when the movie finishes, everyone picks up their own rubbish and takes it with them.
The staff are waiting just outside the theatre doors with giant rubbish bins.
My favourite Tokyo cinemas are TOHO in Roppongi Hills and Hibiya. I also love how I can book online with a credit card (and even chose our seats ahead of time.)
If you are looking for a rainy day Shinjuku with kids option:
Consider seeing a movie at 109 Premium Cinemas in Kabukicho Tower. The seats are big and comfy and all you can eat drink and popcorn included in your movie ticket price!
You can also purchase an S class ticket that gives you access to the premium lounge afterwards – which includes a free alcoholic drink.
These movie theaters do not accept cash.
