CINE-FI Lalaport PIT Drive-In

The CINE-FI Lalaport PIT Drive-In was the first ever drive-in theatre to operate in Japan, opening in August 1981 as a 24/7 weather-permitting drive-in theatre in the Funabashi area of Chiba.

Unfortunately there are some strict rules, as cars and vans were able to enter and the fee was ¥1500 ($10.13) per person per car and ¥3000 ($20.26) for two or more people per car with a discount for three or more people. Screenings were held seven-days-a-week from 7 p.m., and were canceled on days with either fog or heavy rain.

As the automobile-oriented society spread, there were more than 20 drive-in theatres in Japan which the most reaching their peak around 1990, but unfortunately because of the rise of multiplexes, physical limitations such as only being able to show movies in the evening, being dependent on weather conditions, and the promotion of idling stop, and declined.

The drive-in itself was also one of the last, but not the true last. It closed on October 31, 2007.

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