A Tanabata celebration at Federal Land’s MITSUKOSHI BGC
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There’s something magical about walking into MITSUKOSHI BGC this season. The light filters differently through the lanterns; the air seems tinged with story. Overhead, streamers sway and bamboo trees stand tall, waiting to catch your wishes. You don’t need to know the tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi to feel the romance of it all, but it’s lovely once you do.
In Japan, Tanabata celebrates the reunion of two lovers separated by stars, destined to meet only once a year. Here, it’s the inspiration behind the mall’s second anniversary: a month-long celebration that blends tradition, community, and, of course, a little sparkle.
The festival kicked off with a Kagami Biraki ceremony, that moment when a sake barrel is broken open to invite new beginnings. I always find these rituals grounding. Intentional. There’s something beautiful about pausing to mark time, to say, "We made it to another year. Let’s make a wish."
One of the most unforgettable moments was the Maguro Cutting Show. Imagine this: a whole 81.5-kg tuna flown in from Kochi Prefecture, laid out with reverence like an artwork. Chef Iichi Yamashita carved it with such precision, it felt more like choreography than butchery. It’s the biggest one they’ve ever flown in for the occasion, and you could feel the collective awe in the room.
A Matsuri in the city
The celebration spills across every corner of the mall, and it’s not just the lanterns or drumbeats that draw you in. At MITSUKOSHI BGC, the season's energy lives in the details: the scent of grilled yakitori wafting through the food hall, the soft tug of a string at the Senbonbiki game, the unexpected delight of walking away with a Gashapon capsule or a Kiehl’s treat.
Every weekend until Aug. 17 brings more reasons to linger. There are Natsu Workshops, warm and welcoming sessions that invite you to get a little messy, whether you’re building tiny moss terrariums, shaping clay with Bumi and Ashe, or squeezing Kewpie mayo onto crustless sandwiches in a workshop that’s somehow both chaotic and fun.
And just like the workshops, the Grand Matsuri Sale keeps things fresh and ever-changing. From July 18 to August 14, the season’s energy spills into every aisle, with themed weekly deals that make each visit feel like a new kind of discovery.
It begins with the Tabemono or Food Matsuri Sale, where you could indulge in sweet and savory finds from Café Dolci, Bizu, Fukuhachi Dining, Fruit Club, Tokyo Delights, and Yogorino. From July 25 to 31, it’s fashion’s turn with the Red Tag Sale, featuring everyday essentials and statement pieces from Giordano, G-Shock, Fino Leatherwear, and more.
Come Aug. 1 to 7, home enthusiasts get their moment with the Home Fair Blowout Sale, spotlighting trusted lifestyle finds from True Value. And finally, the season wraps up with All for Kids from Aug. 8 to 14, an adorable lineup of toys, games, and kids’ services from Keeplay, @Tokyo, and Kids Box by Kidzooona.
Japan and Philippine lifestyle at its best
What grounds all this, quite literally, is what sits above the mall: The Seasons Residences. Built in partnership with Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd, The Seasons Residences is as refined as you’d imagine, four towers of calm, clean lines, and amenities designed with intention. Haru Tower is already home to its first residents. Natsu will follow soon. Fuyu, the final tower, also nears completion with only a few units left, given continuous demand. And when you walk through the private spaces: KTV rooms, pools, even a yoga and dance studio, it all feels lived in. Not just luxurious, but livable.
Residents enjoy direct elevator access to this lifestyle hub. Whether it’s a quick grocery run at MITSUKOSHI Fresh, a coffee break at Key Coffee, or a relaxing afternoon at the Kinokuniya x Fully Booked bookstore, everything is within reach.
They also offer an in-house leasing program, called FedLease, which makes owning a unit feel less like a responsibility and more like a smart, quietly stylish decision. Whether you’re putting down roots or investing in BGC’s future, it’s a space built for balance between design and utility, culture and comfort.
After spending the day immersed in Japanese culture, it felt like a mini-holiday. And that’s what MITSUKOSHI BGC is doing so well: it offers curated cultural experiences, seamlessly woven into the rhythm of city life.
To learn more about MITSUKOSHI BGC and The Seasons Residences, visit www.theseasonsresidences.ph or call their hotline at 0919-076-2502 to book a private viewing at their showroom, located at 7th Avenue corner 34th Street, Grand Central Park, BGC. Exclusive deals and offers await.
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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Federal Land.
