Mitsukoshi Mall

Background

Mitsukoshi Mall is the first Japanese-inspired mall in the Philippines. It is exactly located at 8th Avenue corner 36th Street in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Mitsukoshi Mall is a partnership between Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., Nomura Real Estate Development Corporation, and Federal Land Incorporated. It is the latest and state-of-the-art lifestyle attraction in the Bonifacio Global City and it is situated at the podium level of The Seasons Residences which is a four-condominium tower next to the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC.

According to its history, Mitsukoshi Mall was first established in Japan during the early part of the twentieth century. It is widely considered as the first department store in Japan. As the years go by Mitsukoshi Mall bolsters its marketplace in foreign land. In November 2022, Mitsukoshi Mall opens its new branch at the world-class Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines. Today, thousands of Filipinos and foreigners visit this mall every day. So if you want to see the eminent and long-established high-end department store chain in Japan, experience all-day dining, lifestyle, and entertainment hub with a modern twist then visit Mitsukoshi Mall as soon as possible to discover the best of Japan.

Name: Mitsukoshi Mall
Address: 8th Avenue corner 36th Street, Grand Central Park, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines
Features: Japanese-themed mall and Japanese brands

My trip to Mitsukoshi Mall

In the past week, one of my colleagues invited me to have a night walking tour going to Mitsukoshi Mall this coming Saturday. Since I don’t have work that day and I have not been there before, I immediately accepted his offer. It was Saturday afternoon when I board a tricycle going to the passageway to Bonifacio Global City. After that, I walk for a few meters to meet my colleague inside the Uptown Mall. After that, we walked toward Mitsukoshi Mall while having a short talk about our present work and position.

Minutes later we find ourselves near the entrance area of Mitsukoshi Mall. First I noticed the construction of the condominium which sits above the mall is still not finished because the yellow kind of structure above us basically fends off anything that might drop from the construction site onto the pedestrian pathway. Second, I noticed that there’s only one drop-off area for cars and taxis coming in. Third, the lobby features four main marble tiled pillars that have a LED light going around them, and the two central pillars contain beautiful tapestry fabrics that are in a floral pattern which is very detailed and vibrant.

Upon entry, I can see the fascinating lion statue of the Mitsukoshi Mall that welcomes visitors to a contemporary structure influenced by Japanese heritage and innovation that will give mallgoers an energizing Japanese vibe. The iconic lion statue is inspired by the lion statue of Trafalgar Square in London. Also, I noticed that the mall displays a variety of luxurious cars and the design of the mall is a modern Japanese theme with impressive interiors. As we continue to roam, the mall features a straightforward design that delivers a distinctive lifestyle and memorable experience through cuisine, beauty, wellness, and fashion that offers the new Manila lifestyle.

Furthermore, they have an authorized retailer that sells Apple products. To the left side I  can see The Matcha Tokyo which is a very popular shop for green tea lovers. As a result, I can see the long lines of people interested in drinking the matcha flavors tea. They wait for thirty to fifty minutes just to get what they want in the first franchise of The Matcha Tokyo in the Philippines. So I told myself that I will buy this green tea the next time I visit this mall.

Similar to the department stores in Japan the lower ground floor or basement of the Mitsukoshi Mall is dedicated or allocated to a supermarket and food court where customers can dine and shop for valuable groceries and gifts. The Mitsukoshi Fresh supermarket offers fresh and clean fruits, various classic Japanese products as well as local Filipino products.

From my perspective, Mitsukoshi Mall offers authentic Japanese dining options perfect for any occasion as well as new international cuisines that will make your mouth water. Also, the Japanese-inspired culinary offerings are the perfect place for customers like me to find fresh, tasty, and delectable Japanese food and other international food.

After we eat at the Itadaki Food Court, we walk again and found out that they sell beauty and fashion items that incorporate a variety of organic and natural Japanese products on the ground floor. On the second floor of the mall, we see the prevailing rich Japanese culture and style that features revered Japanese handicrafts, accessories, and premium retail stores. Also, we see the biggest Japanese bookstore chain with more than eighty locations in Japan and abroad. Previously, Books Kinokuniya writes a new chapter in the country’s history in collaboration with the well-established Fully Booked. Books Kinokuniya is the first Japanese bookstore brand to enter the Philippine Market and it expected to expand the Japanese manga and books.

On the other floor of the mall, we had a quick look around and I can say that the place is not crowded and there are still open spaces for shops and retail stores that are soon to open. Nevertheless, the vibe feels like a traditional Japanese house especially the way they’ve used organic materials, the arches are purely aesthetic and have a structural purpose. The pillar is all constructed of little ropes and I must say they’ve done a really good job kind of hiding or concealing the pillar behind these really small pieces of rope which is in the shape of the bars as well a giant bar in the middle of a mall. The third floor is for unique Japanese entertainment options and it’s an ideal place for wellness and enjoyment. On the other hand, the fifth floor has  a mixture of Japanese and international cafes and restaurants. Moreover, it is home to plenty of shops dedicated to personal needs like hair salons, shoe repair shops, and wardrobes.

They have also a concierge or the information desk and then everything just feels like an open layout kind of style. We can see a lot of symbolism behind it, it’s one of the main features and it’s called the joining hands monument as it represents the partnership of Filipino culture with the Japanese culture of putting hands together to create this symbolic mall in BGC. Undoubtedly, Japanese architecture is beautiful to my eyes and the Japanese brands are high quality In my opinion, living near Bonifacio Global City is one of the best decisions for many Filipinos. Mitsukoshi Mall is designed for customers who want to enjoy a one-stop-shop environment with a variety of world-class brands.

After our walking tour through the mall, Mitsukoshi Mall is now one of my favorite malls to dine in and just relax. Without a doubt, I experience Japan in the Philippines as this mall is the ultimate one-stop shop for my food trip, shopping, and entertainment needs. For this reason, I highly recommend this world-class high-end mall and beautiful upscale shopping center to anybody especially if they are looking for a one-stop-shop experience.

How to Go to Mitsukoshi Mall

By commute

Option 1:

1. From UV Express Ayala pick-up station in Makati City, ride a van that passes through Kalayaan Avenue and tell the driver to drop you off near the Uptown Bonifacio transport terminal.
2. At the Uptown Bonifacio transport terminal, walk for ten minutes passing 40th Street and 8th Avenue to enter the Mitsukoshi Mall.

Option 2:

1. From Centris Station Mall in Quezon City, walk your way towards the MRT-3 Quezon Avenue station entrance located on the other side. Then ride a southbound train bound for Guadalupe MRT Station in Makati City. 
2. At Guadalupe MRT Station, walk for a few minutes to go inside the Guadalupe Mall and subsequently exit the mall on the other side.
3. Next, ride a jeep with signage of West Buting in front of the 7-Eleven convenience store and tell the jeepney driver to drop you off at PhilPlans Corporate Center along Kalayaan Avenue. Walk for twelve minutes to go inside the Mitsukoshi Mall. Note: the Mitsukoshi Mall is just a few blocks away from the soaring Grand Hyatt Manila and Uptown Mall in BGC.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• Mitsukoshi Mall is open from 11 am up to 10 pm daily. The car park operating hours are from 7 am in the morning up to 12 am-midnight.

• Bringing pets or furbabies as you stroll is allowed inside the mall.

• The Mitsukoshi Fresh Supermarket can be found in the basement of the mall.
  
  
  

There you have it, mall-goers. Let’s be thankful for the little things we have because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing. From top to bottom, I aim that this Mitsukoshi Mall blog has been complimentary to you. Enjoy, be safe and God bless you.