Demachiza - An indie cinema in Kyoto
Dec 1, 2025
The best indie cinema in Kyoto
This happens to everyone (maybe): you're in Kyoto, you spent the whole day doing touristy things and now, it's dark out and you're figuring out what to do. We checked showtimes for movies in the area as we thought it would be interesting to try watching a movie in Kyoto. I saw a show time for "Dream Scenario" - a Nicholas Cage movie on google and I tried to find the cinema. Turns out, it was being shown by a local indie cinema called "Demachiza". It looked like a cool place and it reminded us of the indie cinema culture we have back in Singapore, so naturally it appealed to us. We decided - it's a date night!
We took a bus from our accommodation and it was easy enough to find Demachiza on the corner of a shopping street. It was just a 15 minute bus ride for us and we found the place easily enough. On the first floor, you can find a bar that serves drinks and you can also purchase tickets from the counter. The staff were friendly and guided us through the ticket selection.
(Choosing seats the old school way)
They had lots of cool books on display, we loved the colours and decor!
The cinema room was small but comfortable. It's probably easy to sneak drinks in from Family Mart especially if you have a winter coat on. But I decided to support the cinema and bought a coca cola directly from their bar for ¥300.
You can check both online and in person whether it will be an English screening. This one was in the original English language but with Japanese subtitles. It can be slightly harder in Japan to find movies in the right language.
Now this is where my review of the movie comes in - it was a great movie, haunting and highly thought provoking. I love seeing Nick Cage in his "act like a washed out dude" era and he nails it. Dream Scenario explores several themes; the dangers of standing out from the crowd, of fame, and not realizing that your "dream scenario" might be in front of you all along.
Overall I really enjoyed my time at Demachiza in Kyoto and I will definitely go back. There were only 2 other people in the movie hall where we were, so we practically had the space to ourselves. When we stepped out of the theatre, some locals were nice enough to take out picture for us. We felt very welcomed by the people in the area!
Coming from Singapore, we don't often get the chance to watch movies in wintery weather, so this was special. I felt like the movie fit in perfectly with the vibe for the night, being in Kyoto, surrounded by spiritual, creaky, old machiyas and the cold winter breeze filling the valley. If life is reconstituted, moments like these make the building blocks. My wife and I will remember this date night forever.
Address
133 Miyoshicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0823, Japan
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