映画館
えいがかん
eigakan
= movie theater / cinema
映画館 (eigakan) is the Japanese word for movie theater or cinema — and in Japan, going to the eigakan is a cherished cultural experience with its own distinct rituals, pricing systems, and the occasional tradition of audience applause that surprises first-time visitors.
Eigakan refers to a cinema or movie theater — a venue for watching films on a large screen. Common phrases: 映画館に行く (eigakan ni iku — to go to the cinema), 映画館で見る (eigakan de miru — to watch at the cinema), 映画館の前売り券 (eigakan no maeuri-ken — advance ticket for a cinema). Related words: 映画 (eiga — movie/film), スクリーン (sukuriin — screen), 字幕 (jimaku — subtitles), 吹き替え (fukikae — dubbing).
In Japan, movies are typically shown in both 字幕版 (jimaku ban — subtitled version) and 吹き替え版 (fukikae ban — dubbed version). Japanese audiences are generally very quiet during screenings — no talking, minimal phone use. However, for major anime films, especially by Studio Ghibli or at franchise climaxes, it is not unusual for audiences to applaud at emotional moments or the end of the film.
映 (ei) means ‘to project’ or ‘to reflect light.’ 画 (ga/kaku) means ‘picture’ or ‘image.’ Together, 映画 (eiga) means ‘projected images’ — a movie. 館 (kan) means ‘hall’ or ‘building.’ Together: the hall/building for movies — a cinema.
Everyday use
来週、友達と映画館に新作を見に行く予定だ。
Raishuu, tomodachi to eigakan ni shinsaku wo mi ni iku yotei da.
I’m planning to go see the new release at the cinema with friends next week.
Casual / Social Media
映画館で泣きすぎてティッシュ足りなかった😭傑作すぎる
Eigakan de naki sugite tisshu tarinanakatta 😭 Kessaku sugiru
I cried so much at the cinema that I ran out of tissues 😭 It was a masterpiece
Formal / Cultural context
近年、動画配信サービスの普及によって映画館の観客動員数は変化しているが、大スクリーンでの鑑賞体験は依然として独自の価値を持っている。
Kinnen, douga haishin saabisu no fukyuu ni yotte eigakan no kankaku douinzuuha henkashite iruga, dai sukuriin de no kanshoutaiken wa izen toshite dokujino kachi wo motte iru.
In recent years, attendance at movie theaters has changed due to the spread of streaming services, but the experience of watching on a large screen still holds unique value.
Japanese cinemas have several distinctive features. Seating is fully assigned — you choose your seat when buying a ticket, and the specific seat selection is taken seriously by moviegoers. Ticket prices are relatively high by international standards (around 1,800–2,000 yen for a standard adult ticket), but there are discounts on specific days: レディースデー (Ladies’ Day, typically Wednesday) and 映画の日 (Eiga no Hi — Cinema Day, December 1) are popular discounted occasions.
Japan has a deeply embedded cinema culture, particularly for anime films. Theatrical releases by Studio Ghibli and major anime franchises are national events — films regularly break domestic box office records and are discussed in news broadcasts. The practice of 応援上映 (ouen jouei — cheering screenings) for certain films allows audiences to vocally react, bring light sticks, and call out to characters — creating an experience between cinema and live performance that has no direct Western equivalent.
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