Takatsuki Loco 9 + Select Cinema

Toshio Kanda had experiences in film sales at Shochiku’s Kansai branch as well as movie theater redevelopment projects throughout his career. Under his leadership after the management as a leisure company affiliated with All Nippon Airway Trading was taken over by Kanda in 1979, the company agreed to build the twin-screen Takatsuki Shochiku Takatsuki Central in 1983. It opened that same year but its programming gradually became more flexible.

Sometime during the mid-1990s, local government officials and merchants' association executives began discussing the idea of ​​building a cinema complex to revitalize the area, and in response comes the Takatsuki Cinema Route 170 which opened in 2000. However, the Takatsuki Shochiku Takatsuki Central continued to operate in parallel shortly after the 170’s opening, screening independent films and older releases. Based on the philosophy of community ties, the company participated in neighborhood association and children’s group events, and held flea markets at the entrance, among other community-based events. In addition, 80% of the Shochiku’s staff were Takatsuki residents, which differentiated the company from other major theater companies. Kanda operated the Shochiku until his passing in 2006 which was then replaced by a new leader.

Although Toho had thought that the multiplex would not be possible due to the redevelopment of the area in front of Takatsuki Station, on February 21, 2004, Toho opened the 9-screen TOHO Cinemas Takatsuki on the same site with 1,820 seats. Toho had not planned to enter Takatsuki but was forced to open a multiplex there because Virgin Cinemas, which it had acquired, was moving forward with opening a theater there. After discussions with the chain, Toho withdrew on June 28, 2007 to avoid unnecessary competition, and TOHO Cinemas Takatsuki was taken over by Joy Plaza. The theaters they took over were renamed “Takatsuki Loco 9 Cinema” and “Takatsuki Loco 9 Plus Cinema”. The move led to the closure of the nearby “Takatsuki Cinema Route 170”.

On September 5, 2010, the company withdrew from the management of Takatsuki Loco 9 Cinema, which had been taken over by Alex Cinema, and closed for the final time, leaving the ex-Shochiku twin-screener (147 seats in Screen 1 and 69 seats in Screen 2) the only movie theater operating there. The following year on January 15, 2011, the Takatsuki Loco 9 Plus Cinema was renamed Takatsuki Select Cinema, but after just almost an entire year, it closed for the final time on September 30, 2011 and withdrew from film screenings.

On November 3 of that same year, the performing arts Chidori Theater opened at the site, which has also since closed.

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