Kikusui Station is located in a highly convenient location, just two subway stops from Odori and Susukino in the center of Sapporo. Near the station is the Kikusui Ginza Shopping Street, which has been around since the Taisho era, making it a charming area.

Located in a tranquil area about a 15-minute walk from Kikusui Station, "Altoii" is a one-of-a-kind space decorated with antiques. In an age where things are overflowing, this is a store that values not throwing things away, but making use of them and passing them on to those who need them. We visited the store to get a deeper understanding of its charm.

It all began as an antique shop called "ReMOKU" that opened in the Maruyama area several years ago as part of a business venture.

The space had a sense of the warmth of wood, which is unique to wooden antique products, but with the desire to deliver even more vintage and antique goodness, they started a warehouse-style store with the concept of "Alto Good Things" that add color to your life. After experiencing a relocation, they are now offering lifestyle suggestions through good old furniture and miscellaneous goods in this location.

The theme is "healing" - antiques carefully selected with the customer in mind

We spoke with Takashi Onodera, who is in charge of store operations at Alto II and who himself "loves old things."

"About 30% of the product lineup is made up of items that I think a lot of people will like. Apart from that, I try to display antiques that evoke a sense of healing, as a theme. I decide what to display after carefully selecting the items, not only for my own reasons, but also after listening to the opinions of customers and staff," says Onodera.

"By selling products that I am personally convinced of, I can confidently convey the appeal of the products." This conveys his sincere attitude of being honest with himself and his customers.

Things that have been passed down through time come together in each location

The neat and tidy store is filled with vintage and antique furniture and miscellaneous goods from different countries and eras. They have everything from Japanese to Italian lighting, tableware and furniture from the UK and France, and more, from palm-sized items to larger items like stools, tables, and cabinets.

It is as if the antiques, each with a story to tell, that have traveled all the way across the ocean are waiting with anticipation to be chosen by "someone who will cherish them next."

Some of the items have been collected because, "I was unsure whether to let them go, but what if someone else wanted to use them?" On the other hand, there are antiques whose origins and how they were used are unknown, and each one has its own hidden charm.

The modern need for "goodness" that comes with time

Customers who visit "Altoii" include not only people who love antiques, but also people who come to look for furnishings for their own stores, and people who are visiting a store like this for the first time because of the Showa retro boom. In the past, there have been cases where parents and children came to the store together and purchased antiques with their New Year's money. This heartwarming story will warm your heart.

"Things that are used in everyday life tend to fade as they get older, but there are many people today who are looking for the beauty that comes with the passage of time," says Onodera. There are many different ways to use things after purchase, and arranging them in ways that are different from their original purpose to suit each person's lifestyle and space may be a way of enjoying them that is unique to the modern era.

When we asked Onodera about the appeal of antiques, which become more beautiful with the passage of time, he told us, "Many antiques require time and effort to use, but it makes you feel good just to see your favorite item in front of you. Another appealing feature is the sense of solidity and security you can get from an antique being made one by one by a craftsman, as well as the impactful design."

It seems that we in this modern age, where we spend our days so busy, need time to relax with things that bring back memories and give us affection, and to create more space in our daily lives by incorporating good old things that require a little effort.

Aiming to be "cute" for someone

One word that stood out in the conversation was "kawaii," a word that is often used by people who like antiques. Onodera thought that this word could be used to succinctly describe the feeling of attachment, nostalgia, and comfort.

Onodera continues to make efforts to make it exciting for customers to find their favorite items, such as "allowing the eyes to explore" and "arranging the items at angles that are cute," but he also takes care not to make the items difficult to see. The antiques arranged in this way have a somewhat comfortable atmosphere that makes you feel at ease. It is the gift of Onodera's daily efforts to create a store that makes you feel this way.

As a bridge to connect those in need

Instead of throwing away cherished antiques because they are no longer in use, we pass them on as if passing on the baton. By circulating things, we are "kind to both people and the environment," and this will remain the philosophy that we want to cherish as a store.

"I would like to continue to act as a bridge between now and the next generation of people who will cherish these furniture and miscellaneous goods filled with memories. You are also welcome to come into the shop with a takeaway coffee in hand, so please feel free to drop in as an extension of your walk," says Onodera with a smile.

The more I heard about the world of antiques, the more I was fascinated by it. Not by someone else's standards, but by my own standards. At "Altoii," I found the joy of finding a favorite item that shines brightly.

Altoii
Address: Hokkaido, Sapporo, Shiroishi-ku, Kikusui 9-jo 2-chome 2-3, right side of the warehouse
Access: 15 minutes on foot from Kikusui Station on the Tozai Subway Line, or 3 minutes on foot from the JR Hokkaido Bus stop "Higashikoukou-mae"
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/furukiyokimono/
*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.