MALera Gifu

MALera Gifu (モレラ岐阜) is a large shopping center located in Mitsuhashi, Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The name "MALera" is a coined word combining "mall" and "era," expressing the aspiration to transmit cutting-edge information from one of Japan's largest shopping malls. The facility opened on April 29, 2006, built by Daiwa System on the former site of the Tsuzuki Spinning Itsuki factory. It has a site area of approximately 185,000 m², a total floor area of 115,800 m², and about 240 stores, with a reported store area of 57,653 m². The two-story building runs north-south parallel to National Route 157, with parking also on the rooftop. The shopping center is anchored by a TOHO Cinemas multiplex with 12 screens and 2,479 seats (including 25 wheelchair spaces), which opened on April 27, 2006, under Chubu Toho and was transferred to TOHO Cinemas on March 1, 2008. In March 2026, IMAX Laser was introduced. The center houses approximately 210 tenants and a specialty store street. It offers about 5,000 parking spaces and is accessible by the Tarumi Railway Tarumi Line at MALera Gifu Station (a 5-minute walk to the Rose Gate West entrance), as well as by Gifu Bus routes and Motosu City community buses. The Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Motosu Interchange opened on April 6, 2025, making the center reachable in about two minutes by car. Ownership has changed over time. In May 2014, the real estate investment company LaSalle Investment Management acquired operating rights from BlackRock Japan through Gifu Management GK. From 2025, United Urban Investment Corporation, sponsored by Marubeni, acquired an equity stake. The center's mascot character is "Motosu Moremi-san," originally active as "MALera Hime" at events; due to a setting discrepancy (she is said to have a husband and two children), she was renamed "Moremi-san" in April 2012 as "MALera Public Relations Department Supervisor." The character design was handled by Tatsunoko Production. MALera Gifu serves as a regional shopping destination for Gifu Prefecture, offering shopping, dining, entertainment, and community events. It has been used as a filming location, including for the drama "Nagoya-yuki Saishu Ressha ~Tarumi Railway-hen~" broadcast in December 2022. The facility also experienced a notable incident during its opening Golden Week in 2006, when an overflow of visitors caused a septic tank failure and an emergency early closure, leading to some arrests. Today it remains an active shopping center with ongoing events, sales campaigns, and community programs such as walking courses and kids' clubs.

MALera Gifu opened on April 29, 2006, developed by Daiwa System on the former site of the Tsuzuki Spinning Itsuki factory in Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture. The name "MALera" is a portmanteau of "mall" and "era," reflecting the ambition to be a leading shopping mall transmitting cutting-edge information. The facility was built with a site area of about 185,000 m², total floor area of 115,800 m², and approximately 240 stores, with a reported store area of 57,653 m². The two-story building extends north-south along National Route 157, with rooftop parking. During its opening Golden Week from April 29 to May 6, 2006, the center attracted about 70,000 visitors per day, far exceeding the initial estimate of 50,000, totaling about 586,000 visitors over eight days. This overload caused the septic tank to fail, risking untreated wastewater overflow into the Itsuki River on the east side. On May 6, the center abruptly closed at 17:00. Due to poor communication, some shoppers who arrived unaware of the closure assaulted security guards and police, leading to arrests. The next day, May 7, entry restrictions were imposed and the center closed at 17:00 again. TOHO Cinemas MALera Gifu opened on April 27, 2006, operated by Chubu Toho, with 12 screens and 2,479 seats (including 25 wheelchair spaces). On March 1, 2008, operations were transferred to TOHO Cinemas. In March 2026, IMAX Laser was introduced. Ownership changed in May 2014 when LaSalle Investment Management acquired operating rights from BlackRock Japan via Gifu Management GK. From 2025, United Urban Investment Corporation, sponsored by Marubeni, acquired an equity interest. The center's mascot, originally "MALera Hime," was renamed "Moremi-san" in April 2012 as "MALera Public Relations Department Supervisor," with character design by Tatsunoko Production. The center has about 210 tenants and a specialty store street. It offers about 5,000 parking spaces and is served by the Tarumi Railway Tarumi Line at MALera Gifu Station (5-minute walk to Rose Gate West entrance), Gifu Bus routes (MALera Chusetsu Line, Ono Hozumi Line, Yamagata MALera Line), and Motosu City community buses (Motosu-Itsuki Line, Danjo Line, Makuwa Line; operating Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays). The Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Motosu Interchange opened on April 6, 2025, providing access in about 2 minutes by car. The center was used as a filming location for the drama "Nagoya-yuki Saishu Ressha ~Tarumi Railway-hen~" broadcast on December 6, 2022 (late night December 5).

• TOHO Cinemas MALera Gifu opens (operated by Chubu Toho).

• MALera Gifu shopping center opens.

• Emergency early closure due to overcrowding and septic tank failure; some arrests occur.

• TOHO Cinemas MALera Gifu operations transferred from Chubu Toho to TOHO Cinemas.

• Mascot character renamed from 'MALera Hime' to 'Moremi-san' as 'MALera Public Relations Department Supervisor'.

• LaSalle Investment Management acquires operating rights from BlackRock Japan via Gifu Management GK.

• Used as a filming location for the drama 'Nagoya-yuki Saishu Ressha ~Tarumi Railway-hen~'.

• United Urban Investment Corporation (sponsored by Marubeni) acquires an equity interest.

• Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Motosu Interchange opens, improving access.

• IMAX Laser introduced at TOHO Cinemas MALera Gifu.

Large regional shopping center and entertainment destination in Gifu Prefecture, positioned as one of Japan's largest shopping malls.

• TOHO Cinemas MALera Gifu

  A 12-screen, 2,479-seat multiplex (including 25 wheelchair spaces) operated by TOHO Cinemas, with IMAX Laser introduced in March 2026.

• Specialty store street

  Approximately 210 tenants offering fashion, electronics, services, and more.

• Food garden and gourmet avenue

  Dining areas with various restaurants and food options.

1. 1モレラ岐阜公式HP | MALeramalera-gifu.com
2. 2MALera Gifu - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3モレラ岐阜 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org