Malios, Skyscraper in Morioka, Japan
Malios is a commercial building with 20 floors of shops and offices rising above central Morioka, designed to serve both retail customers and business tenants. The structure includes a public observation area where visitors can see across the downtown area and the surrounding landscape.
This structure completed in 1997 became a key symbol of Morioka's shift toward modern commercial development during that period. Its opening reflected the city's growing role as a business and retail center in northern Japan.
The building marks the transformation of Morioka's downtown into a modern commercial hub while keeping the surrounding mountains visible from its upper levels. This balance shapes how locals and visitors perceive the city's relationship between progress and nature.
The observation platform near the top of the building offers broad views of downtown Morioka and the surrounding mountains during daylight hours. The main entrance is easy to locate in the city center, and the way up is clearly marked with elevators for quick access.
The building sits near the Shizukuishi River and can be seen from various bridges crossing the downtown area, making it an easy landmark to spot while walking around. This riverside location gives it a distinct presence in the city's landscape that many visitors notice.
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