The Kokura Showakan, a historic movie theater in Kitakyushu City, has reopened for business on the 19th after being completely destroyed in a fire at the Tanga Market in August last year. Originally founded in 1939, the theater was reconstructed at the same site, with a pre-opening held earlier this month. Owner Tomomi Higuchi greeted fans, some of whom brought decades-old photographs of the theater, at the 9:30 AM opening. Higuchi thanked customers with commemorative Japanese sweets.
In her speech, Higuchi reflected on the swift rebuilding efforts, expressing her desire to maintain the theater with community support. A local woman in her 60s praised the hard work that went into the reopening and expressed her hopes for the theater’s continued success. The reopening day featured the screening of two films, including the classic ‘New Cinema Paradise’. Source: Kokura Showakan / NHK
Photo from Kokura Showakan official X
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