From Japan, With Love: Going to the New Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC

The new Mitsukoshi Mall in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is the latest to tap into Filipinos’ love for Japanese culture. It’s hard not to feel just a little bit too excited about the shops that are soon to open, but even now, there are plenty of reasons to drop by and spend a few hours in this cathedral of Japanese lifestyle in the city.

Owing to the impending seasonal rush and not wanting to be late into the game, Mitsukoshi Mall opened with only a handful of stores. But, one feels that the powers that be handpicked the brands that opened even while the place is still trying to get fully operational.

One of the highlights is the Fully Booked-Kinokuniya collab shop on the second floor. There are walls of manga and other specialty books for you to browse for hours. And since Asian literature is blowing up on the world stage, it’s not hard to see this branch get exclusive releases and previews from popular Japanese authors.

Once you’re done with the books, the Matcha Tokyo café back on the first level should give your legs some respite and your taste buds something green to taste. Gone are the days of scrounging for matcha-flavored snack bars; the real thing is here. There are enough matcha-based drinks and confectionaries here to make you try this green tea flavor in different forms and textures.

Coffee lovers need not sulk, as Matcha Tokyo has all your standard espresso-based drinks, and just across Matcha Tokyo are two straight-up traditional cafés.

The basement floor is more packed with brands you already know. Stalls for Ben’s Cookies, BreadTalk, Ralph’s Wine and Spirits, Gong Cha, and more are in here. But, you’re probably going to want to visit the Mitsukoshi Fresh Grocery to get your fix of typical Japanese fare that’s hard to find in the Philippines.

Whether it’s the cozy interiors, the grandiose architecture, or simply the matcha, you’re going to want to check out the new Mitsukoshi Mall. It just might be your next favorite place.

Mitsukoshi Mall is at 8th Ave. corner 36th St., Grand Central Park, North BGC, Taguig City. Spanning four floors, it is the Japanese department store chain’s 56^th outlet in the world.