Odori Park is a famous major event venue located in the center of Sapporo, but have you ever heard of Mini Odori Park, which is located a short distance away?

This park refers to the pedestrian-only road that stretches for about 1 km from 11th Street to 17th Street on North 4th Street. The road is filled with seasonal flowers and greenery in the summer and is painted in a colorful color in the winter, making it a popular place for walks and children to play in any season, especially among local residents.

Located on the edge of this "Mini Odori Park" is a two-story concrete building with large glass windows. This is "Caféterrace Londonkan," which opened in 1976 (Showa 51).

With a signboard made of wooden planks that exudes a long history, and a red spruce growing alongside the window, we visited the London building, which has such a distinctive exterior, and spoke to him about it.

Times change, but 50 years remain unchanged

"About 50 years ago, when the owner was looking for land to open his shop, he liked the atmosphere of Mini Odori Park, so he decided on this location. Nowadays there are many apartment buildings here, but in the past this area was full of textile wholesalers," said a store employee who has been with the shop for about 20 years.

Even as the environment surrounding the restaurant has changed with the times, "Londonkan" has continued to be loved in this same location. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with wood and brick, creating a warm space, and the casual jazz music creates a calm and relaxed atmosphere.

Also, each and every item placed here and there seems to have been carefully selected, so much so that you can't help but exclaim, "Wow!" Good old items that blend in with the space are scattered here and there, adding a touch of elegance to the space.

The heart that treasures "irreplaceable things"

Among the items on display are antique furniture that was popular at the time, such as a cabinet that the owner purchased from London. The cash register, which was made in 1922 (Taisho 11), is still in good condition and well-used today.

"The cash register is so old that if it breaks again it will be difficult to repair. And when our current cash register roll runs out, there will be no replacement, so we take good care of it," she said. Our heart is warmed as we imagine the affection and richness that comes from taking good care of things for a long time.

Commitment to creating a relaxing space

During lunch time, many different types of people come to the restaurant, including people working in nearby companies, university students studying, and couples, and spend their time as they wish. Each space has a slightly different atmosphere, so it's fun to think about where you should spend your time today.

Another attraction of the store is the fresh flowers displayed inside. A long-time customer comes twice a week with new flowers. Many customers come to the store to enjoy the flowers on display, and every time they visit they encounter new flowers, savoring the short time they can look beautiful. These moments make the space even more beautiful, providing healing to those who see them.

A taste that has been loved since the restaurant first opened

One of the most popular dishes at Londonkan, which offers such a relaxing atmosphere, is the "Napolitan." The noodles are boiled to perfection after the order is placed, and the stir-fried vegetables and ketchup sauce combine perfectly to create a satisfying dish. You can also enjoy it with grated cheese to your liking, or a fresh salad made with homemade dressing.

The restaurant's flavor is supported by the same attention to detail that is shared with other menu items, such as "using domestically produced ingredients" and "making sauces and the like by hand as much as possible."

And when it comes to coffee shops and cafés, coffee is what you'll want to order. Of the several types available, the most popular is Londonkan's original hand-dripped blend coffee. This mild and light coffee has a slight bitterness that is characteristic of coffee, but is almost completely acidic, and goes well with any cake. By the way, there are about 10 types of cakes on display at most, so you're sure to be overwhelmed.

A sense of security that will never change

When asked why Londonkan, which is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary since its opening, has been loved for so long, he said, "I think it's because you can stay there regardless of the occasion, whether you're alone or with a large group, and because it's open all year round, there's a sense of security that it's always open."

"Long-time customers bring their children back, and then those children return when they've grown up. It makes us very happy to feel that kind of connection. We don't want to try to change the store in any weird ways in the future, but rather want to cherish what we have now," said a store clerk.

Like antique furniture, Caféterrace Londonkan becomes more and more tasteful with age. It is a place of relaxation loved by Sapporo residents of all generations, and there is a reason why it continues to be so beloved.

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caféterrace 倫敦館（ろんどんかん）
電話番号：011-271-7730
住所：北海道札幌市中央区北4条西11丁目75
アクセス：地下鉄「西11丁目」駅より徒歩10分程度
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