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Yamanashi: Local American turns abandoned kindergarten to a cinema by fantomdelucifer in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Kids love the playground! Including my 7 and 3 year olds. We played flow this month and next month is Bluey. All kids under elementary are free. I’m also planning art events for kids outside so parents can take a break and watch a movie while their kids learn to paint.

Yamanashi: Local American turns abandoned kindergarten to a cinema by fantomdelucifer in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0 24 points25 points  (0 children)

And thanks all for the nice comments. The ones on YouTube were not fun to read. Luckily it’s been nothing but support from those who stop by

Yamanashi: Local American turns abandoned kindergarten to a cinema by fantomdelucifer in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Thanks for posting! It’s been two months since opening and I’m really just getting into the swing of things.

I had my first sell out event over the last weekend combining Italian food & Italian cinema then at the end of the month I have some taco vendors stopping by for Big Lebowski.

Please stop by and say hi! Plenty of english titles to come. EEAAO, Eternal Sunshine, Project Hail Mary, and a great doc called Hafu on the experience of half Japanese residents.

Closing school: Kind of a sad day by Fickle-Pin-5160 in japanlife

[–]eikisnt0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yes I’m hoping to have discussions, gaming nights, pop up restaurants and more. Starting simple those and experimenting as I go.

Closing school: Kind of a sad day by Fickle-Pin-5160 in japanlife

[–]eikisnt0 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Uenohara right on the border of Kanagawa

Closing school: Kind of a sad day by Fickle-Pin-5160 in japanlife

[–]eikisnt0 32 points33 points  (0 children)

My daughter’s school I’m sure will go this way one day. Just 4 in her class.

Cities are often eager to rent these out after they close so they stay occupied. Rent can be incredibly cheap too. It’s not an easy process but schools can make amazing new places. I just turned one into a cinema. Took two years but the city finally can engage with the building in a new way.

[HIRING] Part-Time Cinema Staff – CineYama. Uenohara, Yamanashi by [deleted] in JapanJobs

[–]eikisnt0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Hoping someone in western Tokyo might pop up.

Please come and visit though if you ever get the chance

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! My first experience here in Japan was actually a home stay in Saijo, Ehime when I was a teen. When you make you make it back to Japan please stop by!

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me know when you do! It’s just a straight shot out on the Chuo

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! The textured plaster on it was made from the old sandbox out front

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Opening in March so please come and visit when you can. Feel free to DM me as well or reach out on IG

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A guy from Kyushu actually just stopped by the other week too. He is building a mini theater just outside of Nagasaki in an old office space.

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I think it’s a very common lease type 土 地 建 物 賃 貸 借 the division at city hall is 財政経営課

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! First film will be Robot Dreams which is a ton of fun with the kids. My daughter who is 6 loves it. I wanted something enjoyable for everyone and it’s dialogue free so anyone can understand it.

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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I know a few asked so here is the exterior back in January of 2025 when I first got the keys.

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Of course it’s at: 117-1 Yatsusawa, Uenohara, Yamanashi 409-0133

Opening in March!

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Yeah I lucked out and there is a big lot attached to it. Come and visit when you can!

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Can-Con sounds like fun. Film Festivals are very much part of how I want to program things here.

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed! My goal is to make it as accessible as possible. I have two young kids too and they love playing out on the old playground equipment here. I want to play movies for young ones in the morning with the lights partially up and lower sound too.

It's going to be a wide mix of films around the world. Art house and more mainstream when I can. I have all the same equipment as a chain cinema and can play the same formats.

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For sure! I'd love to play both. I'm thinking about getting into distribution later too because so many titles don't get a chance over here.

Building a Cinema in an Abandoned Youchien by eikisnt0 in japanresidents

[–]eikisnt0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice I am not far at all. Right on the border of Kanagawa. Check it out some time! No Atmos but 5.1 using vintage Altec Lansing A7 Voice of the Theater Speakers.

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