Hotel & Tours Group

Gleaming luxury towers keep springing up in Ginza here, and Bulgari is the latest to join the crush.
The Italian jewelry and leather goods brand has taken things a step further, however, opening not one, but two major stores in Tokyo in the last few weeks. On Wednesday, Bulgari feted its largest store in the world, in Ginza, which followed the opening earlier this month of a flagship in the Omotesando region.
The stores signal the brand's commitment to Japan, a stagnant yet strategic market for jewelry and other luxury goods. They also show that, when it comes to the Japanese market, a store alone is no longer enough to lure consumers. The 10-floor Ginza tower features a glass facade, rooftop lounge and panoramic restaurant, while the 6,500-square-foot Omotesando store has a cafe and gourmet chocolate shop.
Bulgari's Ginza tower, across the street from rival Cartier and down two doors from Tiffany & Co., opens to the public Friday. Jewelry and watches occupy the ground floor, while handbags, eyewear, scarves and accessories are displayed on the second level. The third floor houses the bridal salon and VIP shopping rooms for high-end jewelry. Bulgari Japan's corporate offices are located on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors of the structure, which is designed to resemble a jewel case.
The restaurant and cocktail bar occupy the top three floors of the tower, offering stunning views of Ginza's electric skyline by night. Chef Michele dell'Aquila, who migrated here from Bulgari's resort in Bali, turns out a menu of Italian fare like tagliolini with porcini mushrooms and a few notable variations like a Caesar salad with artichokes.