A shopping trip to a Japanese department store is one of the most unforgettable experiences when in Japan. Walking around the department store’s basement level heightens the fun even more as this floor, also known as depachika (from depāto meaning department store, and chika meaning basement), houses a supermarket and a food hall. Beneath the floors of well-curated clothing and merchandise, you will find a basement-level haven of top-shelf food and related products. Depachikas offer a wide array of treats and produce such as sweet mochi, gorgeous bentō boxes, high-grade sake, exotic seafood, fresh fruits, and more.
WHAT GOURMET DREAMS ARE MADE OF
In 2021, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., owner and operator of Japan’s famous department store chain, will open the Philippine’s first Mitsukoshi mall in Bonifacio Global City in partnership with Federal Land, Inc. and Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. Similar to department stores in Japan, the mall will have its own depachika. The upcoming gourmet underground will serve Japanese favorites such as tempura, teppanyaki, sushi, and tonkatsu, among others, which are sure to delight the lunch and dinner crowds. It will also offer a wide selection of international cuisine to cater to the different tastes of its diners.
REDEFINING THE SUPERMARKET SCENE
The supermarket on the food floor will be the mall’s anchor tenant. “The Mitsukoshi supermarket will redefine ‘delicious’ and ‘healthy,’ not only through items imported from Japan but also through improving the quality of local ingredients by adapting the Japanese style product management. We also aim to provide comfortable and enjoyable shopping experiences through Japanese services,” says Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. overseas operation department manager Yoji Kawaguchi.
Shoppers will find fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products directly delivered from local farms. “We are looking to periodically showcase specialties of the various prefectures and regions of Japan.”
In keeping up with Japanese standards, all foods are checked carefully. “We put high priority on product sanitation to deliver reliability as well as deliciousness,” Kawaguchi adds.
In addition to offering some of the finest food across the globe, this supermarket will provide patrons with a new shopping experience by staging cooking demonstrations, on-site tasting, and other food-related activities.
COMBINING RETAIL WITH RESIDENTIAL
Apart from a supermarket and food hall, this four-story mall will also house an outstanding selection of boutiques carrying Japanese brands, as well as the best names in global retail. The mall will anchor The Seasons Residences, an upscale, Japanese-inspired condominium project by Federal Land, Inc. in partnership with Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. The Seasons Residences offers one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units with prices starting at P16 million.
Mitsukoshi in BGC will be the retail brand’s 56th outlet in the world. Isetan Mitsukoshi also has stores in Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Italy, and the United States.
For more information, call The Seasons Residences hotline at (0998) 595-5834 or visit the showroom at 7th Ave cor. 34th St., Grand Central Park, North BGC, Taguig City (across the Lexus Manila Showroom).
