Osaka Maru Building Don't forget the memories May 5 at 25:11

A building close to Osaka Station that features a round shape.
It is "Osaka Maru Building" that has been popular as a landmark of Osaka Umeda.

It has been decided to rebuild, and the long-established hotel inside ended its history of nearly half a century last month.

There are only a few left to see it now. What memories do you have of Malville?

Do you have any memories that you will never forget or don't want to forget?

(Osaka Broadcasting Station Video Interview: Daisuke Shiomi)

Discotheques, electronic billboards, and hotels

The Osaka Maru Building, which opened in Showa 51,
has 31 floors above ground and is 120 meters high.

Hotels, restaurants, and the "Maharajas" who sparked the disco boom were tenants.

An electronic bulletin board was installed on the roof of the building for the first time in Japan, and a service to display messages was also provided for a fee. Some couples displayed the words of the proposal.

NHK has also covered electronic bulletin boards when there is a big news or event.

On February 2, the first year of Heisei, when the era had just changed to Heisei, there is a video of an electronic bulletin board with the number "3" at 4:56.

The hotel is almost full on the last day of business

Osaka Daiichi Hotel has been in business since the opening of Maruville.

The 10th to 29th floors of the building are guest rooms, and there are wedding halls and banquet halls, which have been familiar to many people.

"The museum will be closed tomorrow."

On March 3, the day before the hotel closed, a total of 30 rooms were almost full.

An office worker
visiting from Tokyo on a business trip: "I used this hotel when I went on a business trip to Osaka because it is close to the station.

Tourist
from Yamagata: "It's about the fifth or sixth time I've stayed here, and it's lonely, because from our point of view, the Malville is like a symbol mark."

Staying at the hotel for the first time in 40 years since the wedding

On this day, there is a couple who came to the hotel with a special feeling.
This is Hidekazu Okamura and his wife Eiko, who live in Suita City, Osaka.

I had a wedding at this hotel 40 years ago, but I visited the hotel for the first time in 40 years when I learned that it was closing.

Eiko
Okamura: "You've built a lot of buildings, and after 40 years, a lot will change."

Mr. and Mrs. Okamura met at work and were immediately attracted to each other and decided to get married.

Later, they had three children and built a thriving family.

Lost memories

But 16 years ago, things changed completely.

Her husband, Hidekazu, suddenly lost consciousness at home.
At the hospital where I was taken by ambulance, I was diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery.

Eiko says that the doctor told her to prepare for Hidekazu's unconscious never to return.

Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and one week after the surgery, Hidekazu regained consciousness.
However, Hidekazu's brain was still damaged, and most of his memories of the past had been lost.

Eiko:
"When I was discharged from the hospital, I had no memory and couldn't hold a conversation. That's how it was."

Pictures of memories on the wall

Mr. Okamura's home is decorated with photographs all over the walls.

I wanted Hidekazu to remember the memories he had with his family, so he continues to talk about those days while showing photos from family trips and weddings.

Eiko:
"While looking at the photos, I wondered where I went, and I thought it would be nice if I could bring back some good memories and memories for my husband."

First wedding reception in 40 years

When Eiko learned that the hotel of her memories was closing, she decided to stay.
What I really wanted to visit was the venue where the wedding reception was held.

Eiko:
"No, I'm nostalgic."

I want Hidewa to remember those days.
The hotel, which understood Eiko's feelings, arranged dishes and other items for the two of them.

Eiko:
"Your friend is a good moderator, and the director and his wife sit on either side."

When Eiko was talking to Hidekazu about those days, the hotel staff approached her.

"Would you like to enter?"

It was a suggestion that the two of us enter together like at the reception.

Eiko-san
: "Would you like to try it?

Finally, it was time to enter. A fanfare sounds and the door opens.

In the spotlight for the first time in 40 years, the two walked through the venue as the "bride and groom."

When Hidekazu finished entering, he had a big smile on his face.

Hidekazu:
"This is where the family started."

Hidekazu seemed to be recalling his memories of that time.

A new memory from here

The hotel closes on March 3.
Before check-out, Mr. Okamura's family gathered.
Mr. and Mrs. Okamura took a photo with their three grandchildren and children.

I would like to weave new memories from this place.

Eiko:
"My husband often has memories that disappear in his head, but I think it would be nice if we could mutually turn each other's negative aspects into positive ones while respecting each other."

Memories of Malville from everyone

When we solicited memories of Malville to coincide with this broadcast, we received more than 80 memories.

There were also many messages from people who, like Mr. Okamura, had a wedding in Malville.

Man
in his 30s: "We had a wedding in Malville, it is a memory of a lifetime for us and my wife" Female
in her 60s: "

We got married 37 years ago. Every time I went to Umeda and looked up at the building, I remembered it with nostalgia, but I heard that it was going to be demolished and rebuilt, which is very disappointing. But thank you for your hard work, I want to tell Malville. Thank you so much for the memories, Malville" Woman
in her 40s: "

We had a wedding in the chapel, and I remember feeling very happy to be surrounded by greenery so much that I couldn't believe it was Umeda, and my relatives and friends congratulated me."

The round and conspicuous shape of the Maru Building and the electronic bulletin board on which the news was played were very impressive sights for those who visited Umeda and lived in the vicinity.

Female
in her 50s
: "I could see the Malville far away from the roof of the nursery school I attended, and I remember being moved by the fact that it was clearly different from other buildings, and even though I was young, I thought, 'Homma ni Maruville.'"

"This is a building called Umeda, and the point of the directions in Umeda was where it was seen from the Malu Building. He joked with people who had just arrived in Kansai, "Meet me at the corner of Malville!" I can't meet you ~ (laughs)" A man
in his 50s "

When I was attending a vocational school in Umeda, I could see the electronic bulletin board from the home home, and I remember grinning at the weather tomorrow, the news, and sometimes someone's proposal. Also in the new building."

Malville to be demolished soon. We received many opinions that it would be nice to have a round building again for the new building after the reconstruction.

Female
in her 50s: "When I went to Umeda, I always saw Malville when I left. Of course, the new building will have a new design, but I hope it will be a building with a round impression that retains the current appearance" Woman
in her 30s: "

I will miss it, but I liked it very much because of the calm form and color. If it's going to be built, I'd like to have a round building again."

There are only a few left where you can see the current Osaka Maru Building.

Please continue to send us your memories of Malville through the Happy News submission form.

Happiness News

Osaka Broadcasting Station cameraman
Daisuke
Shiomi I learned about Malville from "Exploring the New Japan: A Love Letter in the Urban Sky" (broadcast in 1993) when he was a student.

Osaka Broadcasting Station Director
Shota
Fujimoto I am a big fan of a long-established Indian restaurant that has been operating in the basement of the Maru Building for nearly 45 years.