This excellent building with a decorative terra-cotta exterior in the neo-Renaissance style was built in 1923. The parent company of this building is Shochiku, one of the largest general entertainment companies in Japan. Being built as Japan's first ferroconcrete movie theatre building, it was well known as a hall of fame of Western film in Osaka. Going with the decline of a film industry thereafter, this movie theatre was largely renovated to a theatre with the newest equipment in 1997. The original exterior design was left intact as shown in the picture. Shochiku's productions, such as a Kabuki, drama, comedy and musical, are usually performed here now.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
