160101-0001-BR - Nichigeki Theater

Beggar and office workers in front of the Nihon Gekijo (日本劇場) in Yuraku-cho (有楽町) in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 1960 (Showa 35).

Popularly known as Nichigeki (日劇), the theater was designed by Japanese architect Jin Watanabe (渡辺仁, 1887-1973).

It opened on Dec 24, 1933 (Showa 8) and closed its doors on Feb 15, 1981 (Showa 56). Managed by Toho Co., Ltd., it featured several theaters for musicals, plays, dance shows and movies.

The Nihon Gekijo was trend setting. In the October 1934 issue of Variety (バラエティ) magazine, the theater was advertised as “The best theater in the East. Capacity of 5000, with heating and cooling equipment, ventilation, etc. — all the best of the newest scientific facilities.”

IMPORTANT
Maximum file size: 117.5M (7636 × 5127 pixels)