First visit on May 3, 2025. Built in 1940(S15), this is a stone building made of Sapporo soft stone. It stands directly across the road from the “旧石切山驛” building. In 1988(S63), it was selected for “さっぽろ·ふるさと文化百選 (building No. 41)” to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Sapporo City's founding, and on March 3, 2005(H17), it was designated a “Sapporo City Important Urban Landscape Building (No. 5).” Inside are “軟石や,” selling small goods such as the “かおるいえ” aroma stones made of Sapporo soft stone, known to those in the know, and “ニシクルカフェ.” There is parking, but it's some distance away behind the building, so it may feel hard to find. Please experience the properties of “Sapporo soft stone”: soft and easy to work, lighter and easier to transport than other stones, and excellent in fire resistance and thermal insulation (I affectionately describe it as “a softie stone” and “a halfway stone”). A place with a lot of character😃. If I could ask for more, I'd like some way of guiding visitors to the upstairs gallery (a simple sign saying “Free admission, please feel free to look around,” for example). There seems to be an information corner upstairs too, but I didn't notice and missed it this time, so next time😅.

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It seems volunteers raised funds to preserve the disused former Ishiyama Post Office and operate it as a place for local revitalization. It houses a cafe, a gallery, and a shop selling small goods. The items made of Sapporo soft stone have a lovely warmth to them. I bought a “かおるいえ🏠,” which you can drip aroma oil onto to enjoy the fragrance. Next time I'd like to visit while the cafe is open.

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On April 27, 2019, the former Ishiyama Post Office building, a local symbol affectionately known as ぽすとかん, was given a new role through crowdfunding support from the Ishiyama area, Sapporo, throughout Hokkaido, and across Japan. The first-floor counter and second floor are cafe spaces operated by 『ニシクルカフェ』. On the first floor, 『軟石や』 has a permanent shop selling goods made from the same Sapporo soft stone as this building. There is also a shop featuring quality products mainly from Minami Ward. The items sold change with the seasons and themes, in the hope that you'll discover something new whenever you visit. The second floor can also be used as a gallery. Closed every Monday and the second and fourth Tuesdays. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 (the cafe opens at 11:00, with last orders at 17:15). There is parking for about 10 cars behind the building. We look forward to seeing you at 石山ぽすとかん! From Obara of 軟石や

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This striking building caught my attention whenever I passed, and this time I finally got to visit for the first time. It is a renovated version of the former Ishiyama Post Office, built in 1940 (Showa 15), and is made of “Sapporo soft stone” quarried locally in Ishiyama. It is designated Sapporo City Landscape Asset No. 5, and its cultural value is also recognized. Apparently, the restoration of this historic building was carried out using crowdfunding.

A place in Ishiyama, Minami Ward, Sapporo City, increasingly featured in the media lately, where you can explore Ishiyama's history. This early Showa-era building has exterior walls made of Sapporo soft stone, and its interior, renovated this spring, has a retro-modern atmosphere. I recommend a luxurious moment drinking coffee from 『ニシクルカフェ』 while gazing from the second-floor windows at the former Ishikiriyama Station and mountains such as Kataishiyama. Apparently, if you ask the staff, they'll tell you various stories about Ishiyama. On the first floor is a direct sales space for 『軟石や』, also highly popular at Hokkaido product fairs, with various soft-stone products packed into the space, including the quickly sold-out “かおるいえ.” They also seem to sell works by artists from Hokkaido for limited periods and hold events such as workshops. There is parking behind the building, so it's also nice to stop by for a break on a drive. 『軟石や』 opens at 10:00, and 『ニシクルカフェ』 at 11:00. The entire building is closed on 『Mondays and the second and fourth Tuesdays』.

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