Cineswitch Ginza closes after 71 years of operation

The historic Ginza cinema, Cineswitch Ginza, held its final regular screening on October 25, marking the end of a 71-year legacy. The theater, which traces its origins back to the Ginza Bunka Gekijo in 1955, drew many longtime fans to bid farewell to the venue.

The final screening featured the film ‘Harukana Machi e’, followed by a special stage greeting with director Yoshinari Nishikori and composer Eiji Segawa. During the event, Nishikori discussed his commitment to analog filmmaking and the importance of experiencing cinema through professional screens and sound systems.

Cineswitch Ginza was famously associated with the film ‘Cinema Paradiso’, which enjoyed a 40-week run at the theater in 1989. Following its closure, the venue is scheduled to serve as a screening location for the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival starting on October 26.