New Chitose Airport Theater

New Chitose Airport Theater (新千歳空港シアター) is a three-screen cinema located inside the domestic terminal building of New Chitose Airport in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan. It is notable as the first movie theater to be built inside an airport in Japan. The theater opened on July 15, 2011, as part of a major expansion and renovation of the domestic terminal that added time-consuming and stay-oriented facilities including a hot spring and entertainment areas. It was originally named "Jaga Pokkulu Theater" after a naming-rights deal with snack maker Calbee, referencing the Hokkaido-exclusive potato snack "Jaga Pokkuru." The name was changed to "SORA CINEMA CHITOSE" on July 15, 2016, and then to "New Chitose Airport Theater" on April 1, 2019. The cinema is operated by Enreisha Co., Ltd., a group company of Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd. (北海道エアポート株式会社), which manages New Chitose Airport and several other airports in Hokkaido. The theater has three screens with a total of 377 seats: Theater 1 with 231 seats (207 regular, 22 special, 2 wheelchair), Theater 2 with 73 seats (57 regular, 14 special, 2 wheelchair), and Theater 3 with 73 seats (57 regular, 14 special, 2 wheelchair). It features DLP digital projection, and from July 2021 introduced a 4K RGB laser projector. The theater also upgraded its sound system to 7.1-channel in December 2019. It offers special seats with reclining functions and side tables, and all screens have wheelchair-accessible spaces. The theater shows a mix of major blockbusters and family-friendly films, and has hosted events such as the Asia Travel Program International Grand Prix and the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival. It has faced temporary closures due to the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ticket prices range from 1,000 yen for children and seniors to 1,900 yen for general admission, with various discount days and a membership point card system. The theater is accessible to travelers passing through the airport, offering a unique cinematic experience within a transit hub.

The history of cinema in Chitose dates back to 1940 with the opening of "Chitoseza," followed by other theaters such as "Yuraku Eiga Gekijo," "Orionza," and "Koraku Eiga Gekijo." However, with the spread of television, the film industry declined, and by 1984, all cinemas in central Chitose had closed. Citizens formed a group called "Chitose Cinema Club" to hold screenings at the Chitose Civic Cultural Center, but this faded after the opening of a cinema complex in neighboring Eniwa City in 2000. In 2007, Hokkaido Airports announced a basic design for expanding the domestic terminal building of New Chitose Airport in conjunction with the construction of a new international terminal, including a movie theater and other leisure facilities. The theater was initially scheduled to open on June 1, 2011, but construction delays caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake postponed the opening to July 15, 2011. It opened as "Jaga Pokkulu Theater" after Calbee acquired naming rights, named after the Hokkaido-exclusive snack "Jaga Pokkuru." It was the first cinema in Chitose in 27 years. The theater was renamed "SORA CINEMA CHITOSE" on July 15, 2016, and then "New Chitose Airport Theater" on April 1, 2019. It has hosted events such as the Asia Travel Program International Grand Prix (first held in September 2011) and the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival (first held October 31 - November 3, 2014). In 2015, following the closure of Eniwa Toho Cinema 8, it took over the premiere screenings of Toho-distributed anime films. The theater was closed for a month from September 6 to October 5, 2018, due to the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake. In 2020, it closed from March 4 to March 31 due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, reopened on April 1, but closed again from April 18, finally reopening on June 6 after a month and a half. In July 2021, it introduced a 4K RGB laser projector starting with "Black Widow," and celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 15, 2021.

• Opened as "Jaga Pokkulu Theater" with first screening of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2".

• First Asia Travel Program International Grand Prix held.

• One-coin theater started (ended in 2015).

• First New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival held (until November 3).

• Took over premiere screenings of Toho-distributed anime films after closure of Eniwa Toho Cinema 8.

• Renamed to "SORA CINEMA CHITOSE".

• Closed for one month due to Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake (reopened October 5).

• Renamed to "New Chitose Airport Theater".

• Sound system upgraded to 7.1-channel starting with "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker".

• Closed due to COVID-19 state of emergency (reopened March 31, then closed again April 18, reopened June 6).

• Introduced 4K RGB laser projector starting with "Black Widow".

• Celebrated 10th anniversary since opening as Jaga Pokkulu Theater.

Airport cinema offering a comfortable, immersive movie experience for travelers and locals.

• Movie screenings

  A mix of major blockbusters and family-friendly films shown on three screens.

• Special seats

  Premium seats with reclining function and side table for luggage.

• Membership point card

  Point card offering discounts and rewards (terminated December 1, 2024).

1. 1新千歳空港シアター｜新千歳空港hokkaido-airports.com
2. 2北海道エアポート株式会社hokkaido-airports.com
3. 3サイトの利用にあたって｜新千歳空港hokkaido-airports.com
4. 4New Chitose Airport Theater - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5新千歳空港シアター - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org