Big news to fellow Otaku, also known as the Japanese enthusiasts! The original Tokyo-based real estate company, Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd, has just made its business debut in Southeast Asia, and it’s happening in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Commenced on 20th January 2022, the LaLaport at Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) is now open to the public. This flagship project is built approximately 20 acres wide and can host 400 local, international and authentic Japanese stores (Nitori, Nojima, and Jonetz by Don Don Donki) to shoppers of all ranges.

The development of the first LaLaport in Southeast Asia is expected to construct a one-stop retail destination that escalates the lifestyle of the local community. On top of that, the retail mall provides direct access to the LRT and KL Monorail stations as well as access via a pedestrian deck to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station (source from MF Asia).

LaLaport BBCC

With a design that integrates Malaysian culture and the Japanese concept into a fashionable property, LaLaport BBCC is, at the moment, one of the big developments in the BBCC project that involves a collaboration between Mitsui Fudosan and BBCC Development Sdn Bhd. The project itself comprises other urban developments such as shopping malls, residences, serviced apartments, office buildings, and hotels.

Next to its overseas branch in Shanghai Jinqiao, China, LaLaport BBCC is said to be the second mall outside of Japan. Just in the original country itself, LaLaport already has its expansion up to 16 centres before progressing to other Asian countries. Thus, the popularity is worth the heed of Malaysians before paying their visit to the LaLaport BBCC for a top-quality shopping experience.

Things To Do In LaLaport BBCC

There are several itineraries to fulfill when visiting LaLaport BBCC. For instance, sending your kids to the ‘Star Child’- Japanese-style childcare and education within the mall, Japanese stores binging, taking photos at the Grand Steps that will be opened for visitors soon, attending concerts at its Zepp Kuala Lumpur, and more. Today, we’re going to recommend some of the exhilarating things you can explore at LaLaport BBCC as a newbie.

1. Food Trail At The Gourmet Street

The entire Gourmet Street features a variety of Alfresco dining experiences to the shoppers. Ringing from Japanese restaurants to internationally notable cafes, you’ll get to choose any dining haven based on your preference. Do not forget to mention that it’s also an instagrammable location for your #OOTD posture and photography ventures, especially with an array of Japanese curtains hanging in the mid-air that enhance the setting of Gourmet Street as well.

2. More Food In The Cafeteria

Never consider yourself a prominent explorer who completed a tour at a modern shopping mall without munching something from its food court/ cafeteria. The cafeteria consists of various foods that can serve diverse diners. So be sure to visit this food court if you are hungry and in need of casual nourishment to fix your cravings.

3. Chill At The Rooftop Garden

Feeling overwhelmed after stuffing yourself with a mouthful of food or tired of a long-exhausting shopping escapade? You are encouraged to flee up to the rooftop garden located on the fourth floor for a chill-out break. There is a roofed step stage and green grass for you to flop through the way you feel comfortable. Also, if you need a dessert for high tea, the garden dining food court with a space that can host 1,400-seating capacity is just right next to it. This spot is also a suitable environment if you want to just have a quality conversation with family and friends without paying a single penny.

4. Break Time For Kids At The Children’s Playground

If you think the rooftop garden is the only highlight for shopping escapees, then this is going to blow your mind. Moving up to level-5, there lies a setup of a children’s playground. It’s the best place that facilitates play for children. Parents can get rested here while letting their children have fun and enjoy themselves with other kids. This playground is currently still under maintenance, but we’re expecting it to be available soon.

5. Attend Events At The Wow Plaza

Remember when you are allowed the privilege of indulging yourself in a food hunt experience at Gourmet Street? At its centre zone, there’s a huge event space that’s known as Wow Plaza. While it seems empty as the mall has just begun its operation, we foresee more exciting events and performances taking place at this arena. If you love crowds and want to hype up the fun when shopping at this mall, be sure to check out the Wow Plaza.

The LaLaport BBCC comes with sophisticated architectural and urban interior designs that embody the warmth of nature. The inclusion of modern simplicity is the reason why shoppers will be exposed to a stylish yet fascinating shopping experience at this Mitsui shopping park. Additionally, the mall conducts regular disinfection and other safety measures to sustain the hygienic standard in the property. Moreover, contactless elevators and sterilization equipment are available almost everywhere in the compound. Thus, you have ensured a safe space when spending your time at LaLaport BBCC.

(Image caption: Contactless elevator at LaLaport BBCC)

Travelling during the National Recovery Plan (NPR)

Meanwhile, be sure to check out the latest SOPs before travelling.

• The tourism bubble is only eligible for fully vaccinated individuals, except those living in the EMCO areas.
• Children below 18 without vaccinations are allowed to travel with fully vaccinated parents.
• Tourists must present their digital certificate of COVID-19 vaccination whenever asked by the authorities.
• Tourists must bring along the receipts and booking confirmation as evidence that they are visiting for vacation.
• Tourists are allowed to travel by flight and land. However, they are instructed to book the transportations through a tour agency if they journey by land.
• Most travel activities are allowed to resume, such as nature parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, galleries, theme parks, and other activities such as watersports, jungle trekking, hiking, camping, island hopping, and more.
• Hotel facilities and amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, and lounges can resume their operations as usual.
• Everyone still requires to follow the SOPs to minimize the risk of virus outbreak despite the relaxation applied.
• Swab test is essential prior to departure.

About Tourplus

Tourplus, a personalized travel platform, is an online travel agency (OTA) that provides a digital local travel guide (certified driver guides and customizable itineraries with reviews available to ease tourists’ user experience) to tourists.

Itineraries such as flights, F&B outlets, shopping malls, hospitality and accommodations, tourist attractions, and more are inevitable items on a trip. Hence, Tourplus came in handy by collating merchants into the list of choices for users to browse through before making decisions.

Currently, Tourplus is moving towards becoming a social travel app that doesn’t only serve as a catalog for users to browse through recommended places, but also a place for social networking among travellers, which makes it more interesting to be acquired, and it’s manufactured in Malaysia. We hope you enjoy using Tourplus for your travel discovery in this multiracial country.