Movie Theaters · Motomachi

Motomachi Eigakan 元町映画館

Volunteer-supported 66-seat mini-theatre in Kobe's Motomachi arcade showing documentaries, classics and work by young directors.

HoursOpens 30 min before the first screening

ClosedCheck schedule

PriceAdult ticket: ¥1,800

Getting thereMinato-Motomachi Station (Kaigan Line) exit 2, 1 min; JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station west exit, 6 min

Time needed2-3 hours

Best timeCombine with the Motomachi shopping arcade and Nankinmachi

Address4-1-12 Motomachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo

Websitemotoei.com

About

Opened in 2010 by a film-loving founder and run as a non-profit association, Motomachi Eigakan shows documentaries, classics and independent films, often with visiting directors and actors. It reopened in August 2026 after a temporary closure. The Japan Foundation featured it in its JFF Independent Cinema programme. Foreign films are normally screened in the original language with Japanese subtitles (look for 字幕 on the schedule, not 吹替 = dubbed); Japanese films are usually shown without English subtitles.

Highlights

Independent and documentary programming
Director Q&As
Inside the Motomachi shopping arcade
Stamp card: 10 visits earns a free film

Tips

Free seating; same-day tickets go on sale at opening for all shows that day
No advance seat reservations

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-10

Plan it in Tabitomo

Save Motomachi Eigakan to your trip, see reviews and photos from travelers, and get directions.

Open in the app

Motomachi Eigakan 元町映画館

About

Highlights

Tips

Nearby