Date: Thursday, May 29 – Tuesday, June 10, 2025, ONLINE: Thursday, April 24 – Sunday, June 30, 2025

Cinematic Tokyo Program

Cinematic Tokyo Program

The Place Before Daybreak

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Naoya, living in the heart of Tokyo, spent his days caught up in the routines of a work-centered life. It had been a long time since he indulged in his favorite pastime — traveling, something he had loved since his university days.

One day, out of the blue, he receives a phone call from Shogo, a senior from his university, inviting him on a trip to Okutama. Though puzzled by the sudden invitation, Naoya heads out to Okutama, where Shogo introduces him to an American traveler named Jackson.

The three of them explore the lush natural surroundings — a place so rich in nature it hardly feels like it’s still part of Tokyo. Along the way, they meet warm-hearted locals and

Director
Sara Masuda
Time
0:19:16
Country
Japan
Year
2025
Cast
Kanata Hosoda, Kai Inowaki, B.T., Manami Konishi, Arata Iura

Director

Sara Masuda

Born in 2001 in Tokyo, Japan. Joined BABEL LABEL in 2020.

She started working as a photographer at the age of 16. She is also active as a filmmaker now, expanding creative activities by directing and shooting music videos, among other projects. Her short film “cafune” won the Audience Award in the Japan Competiton at SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 2024. As of 2025, their Instagram following has surpassed 160,000 followers.

Cast

Kanata Hosoda, Kai Inowaki, B.T., Manami Konishi, Arata Iura

Screening

Screening Venue

VenueScheduleTicket Reservation
WITH HARAJUKU HALL2025.6.10 [Tue] 17:20-19:10

Online Screening

OnlinescheduleOnline Screening
Online Screening2025.05.15 [Thu] -

Recommended

Sponsors

KODANSHA Ltd.

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

CyberAgent, Inc.

Milbon Co., Ltd.

Hoppy Beverage co.

Digital Hollywood Co., Ltd.

NIPPON STEEL KOWA REAL ESTATE CO.,LTD.

CRG Co.,Ltd.

The JIKEI COM Group of Colleges

Festival Partner

Little Universe OKINAWA produced by Aim Universe

Event Partner

TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY

Creative Partner

TYO Inc.

Japan Cultural Expo 2.0

Media Partners

J-WAVE, Inc.

CONDÉ NAST JAPAN

TOKYO HEADLINE

Media Supporters

cinemacafe.net

Kinema Junposha., Ltd

ORICON NEWS

English Media Supporter

Kyodo News Plus

Festival Supporters

MORI Building

War and the Power To Live Program Special Support

International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC)

Venue Supporter

NTT Urban Development Corporation

Tokyo Tokyo Festival