Nakajima Park is located in the center of Sapporo, and is known for its beautiful seasonal scenery. The area around the park is dotted with spots where you can experience art, music, and history, and is popular with both locals and tourists.

"TO OV cafe / gallery" opened in 2008 and stands in this area blending in with the surroundings. "TO OV" means "to exist" in Greek. We spoke with Nakamura Kazunori, the owner of this gallery-attached cafe, to find out more about the passion and appeal of the space.

The desire to create one's own space

"I've always been interested in music and art, but my experience at the Sapporo Civic Gallery, where I previously worked, strengthened my desire to create a space where I could plan and exhibit my own works," Nakamura said, explaining how he came to open the shop.

The interior of the store is divided into two parts: a cafe space in the front and a gallery space in the back, where the moderate lighting and the sound of the piano gently envelop you. The walls, which Nakamura added to himself, have a soft and warm atmosphere that can only be achieved through handcrafting.

Feel the "ambiguous world" as you wish

The gallery space changes its exhibits roughly once every two weeks, so one of its attractions is that you'll encounter new artworks every time you visit. A wide range of works are on display, including paintings, photography, sculptures, and crafts, and it also serves as a "venue for presentation" for young artists with ties to Hokkaido.

"There is an ambiguous world where we seem to be able to see but are not, where there seems to be an answer but there isn't, where no one can clearly explain it in words. By coming into contact with such ambiguous things as artworks filtered through the eyes of each person, we can think deeply about ourselves, or sometimes we can receive it intuitively without thinking too deeply. I think the fun of art is that it can be interpreted in various ways," says Nakamura. I feel that each of his carefully spoken words touches my heart.

Experience art in the comfort of your own home

Nakamura's aim as a café with a gallery is to "bring people closer to art." He aims to create a space that is close to the impression that art pieces will give when displayed in a home, so that the pieces blend more seamlessly into the everyday landscape.

Flip through books and magazines, drink coffee or tea. Look at the artworks at your own leisure, and touch the ones that catch your eye over and over again. Enjoying art in the same way you would at home is possible only in a space where you can come and go freely.

A cafe menu that complements the art space

The cafe menu complements this relaxing atmosphere. Pictured is the beloved "Cezanne Set," a menu that embodies the cafe's concept.

The menu, inspired by the French painter Paul Cezanne, who is famous for his many apple paintings, is a set that combines a dessert of crispy apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream and fruit, with your choice of drink.

The triangular mountain shape is inspired by Cezanne's painting "Mont Sainte-Victoire." The adorable shape of the plates stacked on top of each other is sure to get your heart racing.

The coffee at "TO OV cafe" is filtered using a cloth filter, resulting in a mellow taste with few impurities. In particular, the straight coffee beans are replaced with new ones as soon as they run out, giving it a special feeling that can only be found at that time. They often stock lightly roasted beans, which bring out the flavor and aroma of the beans themselves.

The seats at the very end of the counter are special seats where you can make eye contact with the artwork. Filling your stomach with desserts and drinks while gazing at the artwork is sure to enrich your soul.

Overcoming the hurdle of being "special" to becoming "the norm"

TO OV cafe/gallery has been a place where people have come into contact with a variety of artworks through its exhibitions, and has also fostered interactions between creators of artwork.

Nakamura, who started this space with a strong desire to create a gallery, says what makes him happy is "not only seeing people enthusiastically enjoying the works, but also seeing them overcome the hurdles that each of them feels, such as talking with the artists and displaying the works in their homes."

Nakamura concluded by saying, "I hope that through this exhibition, visitors will be able to feel what they see between the works and themselves, and what kind of reaction it evokes in their hearts."

Rather than viewing art as something special, everyone should enjoy it freely as something that is a natural part of their daily lives. If you approach the artworks as your heart desires, you may encounter new feelings that you can only experience when traveling.

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店舗名：TO OV cafe／ gallery（ト・オン・カフェ／ギャラリー）
電話番号：011-299-6380
住所：北海道札幌市中央区南9条西3丁目2-1  マジソンハイツ 1F
アクセス：地下鉄「中島公園」駅より徒歩2分程度
HP：https://toovcafegallery.shopinfo.jp/
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/toov_cafe_gallery/?hl=ja

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.