MITSUKOSHI brings the ‘next Manila lifestyle’ to BGC

Who doesn’t love things Japanese? Imagine Japan’s time-cherished culture, refined traditional art, fine cuisine, Michelin-star restaurants, and unabashedly unique, fun fashion.

And now, Philippine premier real estate developer Federal Land, Inc., together with Japanese real estate giant Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. and Japan’s leading retail group Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., brings more than a slice of Japanese life to the Philippines as they open MITSUKOSHI BGC (Bonifacio Global City), the maiden branch of Japanese mall in the country. 

Roaring welcome

You get that invigorating Japanese vibe the moment the lion statue of MITSUKOSHI (founded in 1673 by Takatoshi Mitsui, a kimono fabric merchant) welcomes you to a modern building inspired by Japanese tradition and innovation. This is the first time the lion statue, a symbol of the spirit of hospitality that has characterized MITSUKOSHI over the centuries, has been installed outside Japan. The building’s facade is a simple hemp-leaf pattern, developed in collaboration with Torafu Architects and designer Asao Tokolo.

Inside, the monument “Joining Hands,” created based on the image of putting hands together, greets visitors and reflects how this development will serve as a symbolic bridge between the Philippines and Japan.

Leading Japanese interior design company NOMURA Co. Ltd. combines elegance and casualness in a commercial space that incorporates Japanese elements, such as sando (road approaching a shrine) and Tori-niwa (street garden), giving a feeling of open space with fewer walls.

Joining BGC’s trendy retail scene, MITSUKOSHI BGC is located at the podium level of the Japanese-inspired residential development The Seasons Residences. The four towers are patterned after the four seasons of Japan and picturesquely named Haru (spring), Natsu (summer), Aki (autumn), and Fuyu (winter). The thoughtfully designed towers are equipped with vibration dampers to ensure a high level of safety in the Philippines against earthquakes and high winds, as well as other unique Japanese home solutions. It’s your own haven for relaxation and recreation amid the bustle and noise of the city.

Offering the “next Manila lifestyle,” MITSUKOSHI BGC brings unique lifestyles and memorable experiences through food, beauty, wellness, and fashion. Allow us to walk you through this lifestyle hub, located at 8th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, floor by stunning floor.

The tasty life at basement level

On basement level is MITSUKOSHI FRESH, a premium supermarket offering a wide variety of Japanese groceries, in addition to fresh foods, including an original bakery brand and a salad bar in collaboration with a popular Filipino restaurant.

MITSUKOSHI FRESH redefines delicious and healthy, with fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products delivered directly by local farmers.

There are stores on this floor designed to look like a depachika (basement-level food market in a Japanese department store), carrying the finest specialties from Japan’s various prefectures and regions.

The food court resembles a Japanese kura or storehouse and will have restaurants such as MITSUYADO SEI-MEN (where you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to authentic Japanese ramen), CURRY HOUSE CoCo ICHIBANYA (where you can enjoy Japanese-style rice curry even in a hurry) alongside pastry shops Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory and Ben’s Cookies.

The beautiful life awaits at ground level

MITSUKOSHI BEAUTY, a premium beauty store, will offer wellness lifestyle products, mainly natural and organic cosmetics. Also opening will be Japanese brand SHISEIDO and local beauty and wellness brand Pili Ani.

Japanese watchmaker brands like Seiko and Maker’s Watch Knot will likewise be opening.

The inspired life at second level

MITSUKOSHI BGC adds a page to history when it opens Japanese bookstore KINOKUNIYA BOOKSTORE, the largest Japanese bookstore chain with over 80 stores in Japan and overseas. KINOKUNIYA BOOKSTORE is the first Japanese bookstore brand to enter the Philippine market, in cooperation with Fully Booked, a major bookstore in the country. Aside from Japanese and English books, the bookstore will introduce Japanese culture by selling Japanese figurines and other items.

Knowing how important family life is to Filipinos, MITSUKOSHI BGC will have a a kids’ room on the second floor, where families can enjoy precious bonding time in a relaxed, safe environment. Specially designed for kids and babies, this facility will feature a children’s restroom, family restroom and nursing room, all of which are rarely seen in one curated space in the Philippines.

The omotenashi way

What’s more, MITSUKOSHI BGC assures everyone they can enjoy shopping with peace of mind because here, the air is pleasantly clean throughout the building, everything is disinfected (escalator handrails, etc.) with UV lights, and ventilation windows have been installed.

Leaving no stone unturned and true to Japanese omotenashi (meaning “to wholeheartedly look after guests”), the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group is providing extensive customer service training to the sales staff of tenants and staff of partner companies (like cleaners and security guards), not only at the time of opening but through periodic seminars, as it aims to share the spirit of hospitality it has always valued.

Hai, with MITSUKOSHI BGC, what’s not to love about things Japanese?

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Enjoy the ultimate Japanese shopping experience at MITSUKOSHI BGC and see you all for the soft opening on Nov. 18, 2022.

To know more about MITSUKOSHI BGC, visit the website at www.mitsukoshi.ph, Facebook page and Instagram.

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Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like MITSUKOSHI.