[Gifu] The Leisurely Time Kept by the Gallery "Nowfu Gendai"

The Gallery “Nowfu Gendai”

The gallery “Nowfu Gendai” is a gallery in Gifu Prefecture.

Feeling that “Gifu” was a bit far away turned out to be something of a misunderstanding: Gifu Station is a surprisingly close 18 minutes from Nagoya Station by JR (470 yen one-way).

岐阜駅のホーム — 18 minutes from Nagoya by JR rapid service. This is Gifu Station.

To reach the location of the gallery “Nowfu Gendai,” you have to head from Gifu Station toward Gifu Castle and Gifu Park. A taxi comes to over 1,000 yen, but the Gifu Bus is 210 yen plus a few minutes’ walk.

バス乗り場のMAP — The buses leave from stop No. 11 or No. 12. The one-way fare was 210 yen.

The Gifu Bus seems to be the feet of Gifu’s citizens; the timetable has one coming about every five minutes.

“Honmachi 1-chome” is the nearest bus stop, and a short walk brings you to a spot where you can see Gifu Castle atop the mountain, with Gifu Park right there as well.

岐阜城遠景 — The small-looking Gifu Castle can be reached by the ropeway that runs up to the summit.

岐阜公園 — There were places with autumn foliage here and there, too.

The gallery is near the entrance of the driving route.

「なうふ現代」ギャラリー手前の写真 — The gallery is partway up a hill.

A signboard with a handmade feel. This time I visited for the “Yukimasa Ida Exhibition.”

なうふ現代の看板 — The gallery’s signboard, where you can also see the word COFFEE

The gallery is in the basement.

ギャラリーのロゴ写真 — “Nowfu Gendai,” with its dazzling green logo on the right

You enter by opening the door framed in a reddish color.

A gallery built of glass. You can see inside, so it feels open. An easy-to-enter design, isn’t it.

I was served coffee and chocolate.

Before getting here I had actually phoned twice and talked about all sorts of things, so perhaps that’s why I was welcomed so warmly. I sat at the counter where you can have tea and spent a luxurious stretch of time.

コーヒーとチョコレート — The coffee was authentic and delicious. The chocolate, too!

Takei, the gallery owner. They whisked some matcha for me.

ギャラリーオーナーの武井さん — Takei, the gallery owner. Stylish and kind, they talked with me at length.

I was served tea sweets along with it, too. They were very delicious.

Oh, and this was tea after I’d purchased a work 😀.

Before I knew it, what with one thing and another, I’d spent two and a half hours there. It was just too comfortable, and it seems I overstayed. I’m terribly sorry.

What’s more, after we closed up the shop together, we set out by car to look for a frame to suit the painting I’d bought. We decided on it while consulting this way and that with the staff at the art supply store. Everyone in Gifu is so warm that I found myself gripped by a feeling of not wanting to go back to Tokyo…