Just four years ago Nikita team rider Keiko Yanagisawa welcomed GM Runar Omarsson and founder Heida Birgisdottir to the Nikita skatepark in Onjuku town, Japan. Shortly after, the Nikita Café was built and rounded off what is today known as the locally popular Nikita Café and Park.
Keiko was and continues to be a fan of Nikita in respect of the people, the team and the clothing. Her lifestyle is completely in tune and her time is spent skating, surfing and snowboarding. Since a young age she has always been into boardsports, not giving it up for anything, despite whether things are going well or not. She says "it's my life, like brushing my teeth, eating rice...".
Her initial acquaintance with Nikita is credited to Finland's Minna Hesso, snowboarder, who introduced her to the team. Keiko has great respect for Minna and the pair continue to be close friends.
The construction of the skatepark and café was a dream for Keiko, her husband and the town in which she lived. Initially surfers, skaters and snowboarders hung out there but the Nikita Café and Park is now a haven for many other visitors and like-minded people starting out skating.
"It's so lovely to enjoy each others company, so happy! I think in the same mind with Nikita and that's why we named it the Nikita Café and Park, it's so easy going. It's near the beach, great in summer and of course there's nice coffee in winter!" - Keiko
Not only that, but Keiko's husband cooks all the tasty snacks available onsite...when he's not skating. You can check out some pictures of the Nikita Café and Park, drool at the menu and see what's happening generally at www.nikitapark.com - Keiko welcomes all visitors with open arms and is a faultless host.