‘Omotenashi’—or why Mitsukoshi BGC is worth braving the traffic for
For starters, happy hour at the supermarket: you can have a glass of Japanese sake with a plate of freshly cut sashimi
There’s a new haunt for mallrats. Mitsukoshi BGC has opened its doors, and just in time for the Christmas season.
The four-level shopping destination sits at the podium level of The Seasons Residences in Bonifacio Global City. It is a partnership between Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., one of the largest and oldest department store groups in Japan; Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd, a Japanese real estate giant; and the Philippines’ Federal Land Inc.
“We are pleased to be able to open our doors for this Christmas season and showcase a selection of Japanese, local and global products to the Filipino market,” said Federal Land chair Alfred V. Ty in a speech during the mall’s soft opening on Thursday.
“Filipinos enjoy the products available in Japan, and we hope that we will be able to give a slice of Japan in our four-level mall that will feature stores rich in Japanese culture and customer service,” he added.
Mitsunori Morohoshi, general manager of Mitsukoshi BGC, pointed out three things when Lifestyle asked what makes the Japanese-inspired mall worth braving the Metro Manila traffic for.
“One is the environment, next is products and the third one is customer service,” he said.
The mall is an illustration of Japanese craftsmanship. The podium’s exterior facade, which is very recognizable even from a couple of blocks away, features a geometric pattern inspired by the Japanese hemp leaf. It was designed by Japanese designer Asao Tokolo, who created the Tokyo 2020 Olympics emblem as well as the victory ceremony podiums.
Traditional Japanese design
Mitsukoshi BGC’s interior, meanwhile, was by Nomura Co. Ltd., and treats mallgoers to traditional Japanese design elements such as sandō (the road approaching a shrine or temple) and tori-niwa (street garden). The BGC branch is the first outside Japan to have the symbolic Mitsukoshi lion guarding the mall’s entrance. It has been said that touching the lion’s paws will bring good luck.
Those who swear by Japanese cosmetics and personal care products will have a field day at Mitsukoshi Beauty on the mall’s ground level. We no longer have to rely on “pasabuys.” It carries brands such as Waphyto, E Standard, La Casta and fragrance line Sholayered. Of course, drugstore staples such as Anessa, Kate Tokyo and Biore can be found here, as well.
True to being a Japanese department store, there’s a depachika at the basement level. Mitsukoshi Fresh carries both local brands and legit Japanese pantry staples. The frozen fish and sashimi are said to be air-freighted straight from Japan.
But what caught our attention was the sake and shochu section, where you can have a glass of your preferred Japanese booze and enjoy it with a plate of freshly cut sashimi, also from the grocery. Is there anything more fun than happy hour at the supermarket? You don’t have to wait until you’re home just to pop open that bottle of sake.
Japanese bookstore chain Kinokuniya is finally in the country and it’s on the second level with Fully Booked. We expect to see a long line of matcha lovers at The Matcha Tokyo, a specialty shop all the way from Shibuya.
Mitsukoshi BGC intends to provide better customer service. Its entire staff were trained in omotenashi, or Japanese hospitality. “I know that a lot of Filipinos are hospitable, very smiley. However, if they pick up some essence from omotenashi, Japanese hospitality, their value and their ability will get higher,” Mitsunori explained.
When asked how he would compare Filipino and Japanese hospitality, especially in the retail industry, Mitsunori said, “Both have their strong points, but what’s important is to have a balance of both.”