Hello Kitty paints MITSUKOSHI BGC pink for Christmas
MITSUKOSHI BGC just turned pink for Christmas.
Hello Kitty has arrived at the Japanese-inspired lifestyle shopping mall, bringing her signature pink-and-white charm to the season through “A Very Kawaii Christmas,” a holiday celebration that combines playful installations, interactive activities and exciting shopping experiences.
Kawaii means “cute” in Japanese. The term has come to describe a distinct cultural aesthetic associated with charming characters and colorful designs. This Christmas, that sensibility takes over MITSUKOSHI BGC, with Sanrio’s beloved character at the center of the festivities.
“Christmas in the Philippines is always something special. You celebrate early, you celebrate big, and you certainly know how to make the season memorable,” said Masahiko Yoshizawa, general manager of MITSUKOSHI BGC, during the lighting ceremony on Oct. 29. “So, this year, we thought, why not make it a little kittier?”
Unique experiences
The choice of Hello Kitty builds on last year’s Christmas celebration featuring Doraemon. It also reflects a broader strategy for MITSUKOSHI BGC.
“Starting in 2027, we plan to strengthen our focus on Japanese IP (intellectual property) content, bringing more beloved characters, franchises, and unique experiences to our customers,” Yoshizawa said. “These characters have something special: Great storytelling, distinctive identities, and the ability to connect with people of all ages.”
MITSUKOSHI BGC is part of a wider Filipino-Japanese partnership involving Federal Land Inc., Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings.
A ‘kittier’ Christmas
At the center of the Christmas display is a tree installation at the mall’s ground-floor main event space, surrounded by pink accents and Hello Kitty-themed decorations. Festive displays extend to the entrances, escalators, information desk and common areas.
Hello Kitty meet-and-greet sessions are scheduled for Nov. 8, 15, 22 and 29, as well as Dec. 6 and 13. For collectors and gift-givers, the Hello Kitty Gift Shop will be open on the ground floor from Nov. 4 to Dec. 29.
Santa Claus appearances are scheduled for Dec. 19, 20 and 25.
From Nov. 6 to 30, shoppers with a minimum single-receipt purchase of P2,500 can join the Christmas Fukubiki Game, inspired by a Japanese prize-drawing tradition. The Kawaii Christmas Stamp Rally, running during the same period, takes participants through selected establishments.
The MITSUKOSHI FRESH Christmas Catalogue, themed “Discover Japan: A Journey Through Taste and Tradition,” features Japanese-inspired hampers. Other gift options include Motteru bags, Oboro towels and Naito plushies at Kawaii by MITSUKOSHI Beauty.
A Japanese gift-wrapping service will be available from Nov. 12 to Dec. 27 for purchases of at least P1,500 in a single receipt at any MITSUKOSHI BGC store.
From Dec. 4 to 27, the Holiday Dining Deals will give eligible customers at participating food and beverage outlets a chance to receive dining or food and beverage vouchers.
Award-winning community
The lighting ceremony was co-presented by The Seasons Residences, a Japanese-inspired residential development directly connected to MITSUKOSHI BGC.
At the Philippines Real Estate Awards 2026, The Seasons Residences was named Best Mixed-Use Development, while MITSUKOSHI BGC received Best Retail Development. Federal Land was also named Developer of the Year.
With Hello Kitty adding a playful touch to the holiday season, MITSUKOSHI BGC offers shoppers a distinctly Japanese—and decidedly pink—way to celebrate Christmas.
