Malaysia’s premier shopping destination, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, marked the 9th Anniversary of its award-winning precinct Tokyo Street today at a festive celebration attended by the Japanese community in Malaysia.
Since its launch on 29 July 2011, Tokyo Street has showcased the beautiful culture of Japan to Malaysians and visitors of Pavilion KL. The mall was the first to offer a dedicated precinct celebrating Japanese culture, arts, retail and food. Inspired by the iconic districts in Tokyo – Asakusa, Ginza and Shibuya, Tokyo Street blends the urban cosmopolite-feel with the rich heritage and traditions of Japan.
In the nine years of Tokyo Street’s enduring success, the bilateral relationship between Japan and Malaysia continues to flourish. At the festive celebration today, Pavilion KL celebrated with long-standing friends in the Japanese community, comprising Guest of Honour, His Excellency Oka Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia and his wife Madam Oka Rieko, in their first official visit to Pavilion KL and Tokyo Street. The event was also attended by Dato’ Joyce Yap, Chief Executive Officer of Retail, Pavilion KL and representatives from various Japanese associations in Malaysia including Mr. Yoshiake Okabe, President of The Japan Club of KL; Mr. Shimada Seiya, President of The Japan Foundation; Ms. Mai Onazawa, Managing Director of Japan External Trade Organisation; Ms. Chiemi Maruyama, Executive Director of Japan National Tourism Organisation and Mr. Takero Sawamura, Vice President of The Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry Malaysia. The celebratory event was also attended by members of the media, as well as partners and guests of Pavilion KL.
Kickstarting the event was a stunning Japanese drum performance, welcoming the esteemed guests, before His Excellency Oka Hiroshi and wife, Madam Oka Rieko together with YBhg Dato’ Joyce Yap, CEO of Retail, Pavilion KL participated in a traditional sake barrel breaking ceremony to celebrate new milestones and usher in peace, harmony and fortune. With blessings from the Guests of Honour, the ceremonial event culminated with a cake-cutting ceremony and a kanpei toast together with guests to celebrate another amazing year of Tokyo Street.
“It has been 9 years since Tokyo Street was introduced to Malaysia. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur was the first mall to design a dedicated precinct celebrating Japanese culture, arts, retail and food. Tokyo Street is now a recognized brand name, not only with the shoppers but with international tourists and the shopping mall industry in the region. Thank you to all who have supported the enduring success of Tokyo Street, from shoppers to tenants, partners to the Japanese community in Malaysia. We look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries together.” Says Dato’ Joyce Yap, CEO of Retail, Pavilion KL.
It was a fun-filled and joyous celebration as shoppers and guests embarked on the Yukata Experience to try on traditional Japanese Yukatas, show off their arcade gaming skills and even pick a wish from colourful “tanzaku” papers and tie them on sakura trees for good luck and blessings. Guests and shoppers were also treated to a Traditional Japanese Summer Dance performance specially choreographed and performed by the staff of Pavilion KL. His Excellency Oka Hiroshi, Madam Oka Rieko and guests were also welcomed to their first official tour of Tokyo Street. During the tour, VIPs and invited guests were treated to several workshops and activities curated by Tokyo Street tenants.
This year, as many were not able to travel to Japan to witness the blooming of the elusive sakura (cherry blossoms), Pavilion KL invited shoppers to enjoy the hanami or “blossom-watching” custom at the mall, in conjunction with the 9th anniversary of Tokyo Street. This July, Tokyo Street was filled with immersive experiences to experience Japan culturally, from fun activities, promotions, delectable treats and rewards.
Highlights include the Yukata Experience, where shoppers may don traditional yukata and snap Insta-worthy photos. In honour of the Tanabata festival, shoppers may pick a colourful “tanzaku” wish to tie on sakura trees for good luck and blessings. In collaboration with Art WeMe Contemporary Gallery, Pavilion KL is the only place in Malaysia to showcase the iconic art of Japanese contemporary artist Shiro Utafusa. At the Games Galore Fiesta, shoppers of all ages may try their chances at the claw machines and various arcade games. Numerous photo opportunities of sakura blooms and Japanese-inspired features can be discovered mall-wide and Pavilion KL’s exclusive sakura filter on Instagram makes the sharing even more fun with #HappyAnniversaryTokyoStreet #PavilionTokyoStreet and #PavilionKL. The annual Japan Expo Malaysia 2020 (JEMY 2020) is also back virtually! Visit them online at their Facebook page to discover online activities and stand a chance to win Tokyo Street dining vouchers!
In conjunction with Tokyo Street’s 9th Anniversary celebrations, RM9 food deals could also be found in the precincts numerous restaurants. Don’t miss a host of rewards and redemptions from Pavilion KL and our banking partner Maybank to top off your Japanese-inspired shopping experience.
For more information, visit Pavilion KL’s website at www.pavilion-kl.com, Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/pavilionkualalumpur/ or contact Pavilion KL’s Concierge at 03 2118 8833.