[Japan, Gifu, Mino City] Experience making washi paper goods, attracting attention from around the world! The Udatsu-Japanese Old streets also popular with overseas group tours Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop 2025.02.14
2025.02.18If you’re planning a trip to Gifu Prefecture’s Mino City, don’t miss this spot! Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
Newsletter No. 235
In the historical district “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami,” renowned for Mino Washi production,
enjoy hands-on Mino Washi craft experiences, perfect for souvenirs,
and get the latest news from the Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo.
Mino City Tourism Association Homepage
Recommended for solo travelers, couples, families, and group tours looking to make the most of a fun journey.
Get creative with friends on your trip!
We can accommodate up to 45 participants at once for our hands-on workshop.
Scenes from an overseas group tour
Our experience menu includes:
“Washi Korokoro” Paper Doll
“Washi Korokoro” Zodiac Series & Warlord Series
Now holding a special limited offer: [Washi Korokoro Monchhichi] Hands-on Experience ¥1210
Washi Plate, Washi Pen Stand, Washi Bookmark, Washi Earrings/Piercings
Over 30 variations available! We regularly post updates on our operating schedule and more.
Click the links to view images.
In our shop, around 600 different Mino Washi items are on sale.
Choosing souvenirs here is a delight!
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Check out our latest shop updates, menu details, and access information.
What is the Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop really like?
Hands-on craft experiences! Mino Washi souvenirs!
▼Our Website▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Rakuten Online Shop▼
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/ishikawa-shigyo/
Highly recommended for Mino City sightseeing.
Latest Shop Information
NEW! Shop operating days for December, January, and February
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1465.html
We accept group reservations even outside regular operating days!
▼“Can I Charge My Battery Here?” with Tetsuro Degawa TV Show
Filmed in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture: Mino Washi Doll Workshop at Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo (feat. Kumada Yoko)
https://youtu.be/S8nqVqxGoiI
▼NHK Broadcast “Marutto! Gifu” Mino Washi Uchiwa Fan Workshop
Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture – Tourism in the “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” (Video)
https://youtu.be/Pn995x3oX9Q
Gifu Channel “Meccha Gifu Wakaru TV” ▼
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKiDL8-xf_w
▼Discover the Mino Washi region in Gifu Prefecture’s Mino City at the official Mino City Tourism Association website
Our website is introduced under “Experiences” → “Mino Washi.”
https://www.minokanko.com/index.php
▼Our products have been featured in the “Seiryu no Kuni Gifu News Letter”
(A press release from the Gifu Prefecture Tourism Resource Utilization Division)
Our Washi Kabuto decorations are introduced as “A New Form of Mino Washi.”
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000017.000143336.html
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Hina Doll (Girls’ Day) events have started!
Our stamp rally is a big hit
We have a stamp station, too!
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For reservation-based workshops, Hina Doll making is popular!
We’re receiving a steady flow of reservations.
Our adorable “Korokoro Bina” (round Hina Dolls) are a huge hit!
Everyone who creates Hina Dolls here gets a complimentary clear display case!
You can also add a decorative folding screen for a special touch!
You can design a completely original Hina Doll at our shop.
For example…
Transform a rabbit, cat, frog, or Shiba Inu kit into a set of Hina Dolls!
Simply pick your favorite kit and give it a try!
Feel free to ask our staff for details.
If you want to go further, add “Washi Dressing” for a unique style!
Create adorable animal Hina Dolls arranged in your own personal flair!
It’s fun for parents and kids, couples, or spouses to make Hina Dolls together.
＼＼ “Udatsu no Machiya no Ohinasama” is now on!／／
Once again, “Udatsu no Machiya no Ohinasama” has kicked off this year!
Udatsu no Machiya no Ohinasama
Period: February 8 (Sun) – April 3 (Wed), 2025
In line with the season, we at Ishikawa Shigyo have creatively displayed our brand-new 2025 Hina Doll collections. International guests also love learning about Hina Dolls—many stop by to admire them or pick up a compact set for souvenirs.
Try the Stamp Rally while strolling around the historic town!
During “Udatsu no Machiya no Ohinasama,” you’ll see various Hina Dolls from different eras displayed all over the streets—a real visual treat!
You’ll even encounter grand seven-tiered Hina Doll sets that are rarely on display.
There’s also a simultaneous Stamp Rally! Participating stores (including us) give out stamps when you shop.
Collect stamps from different spots, then enter a lottery for a chance to win great prizes. Don’t miss out!
(Organized by the Mino City Tourism Association)
Groups are welcome to join our workshops!
Usually it takes about an hour, but adding 30 minutes allows you to complete your own Hina Doll.
Workshop fee: ¥2,420 per person (tax included)
We look forward to welcoming women’s groups, friends, or anyone wanting to try a unique Japanese cultural experience!
You can also purchase Ishikawa Shigyo’s Hina Dolls.
They’re available in-store and online.
Check the link below for details!
Rakuten Store
https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/%E3%81%8A%E3%81%B2%E3%81%AA%E3%81%95%E3%81%BE/?sid=391090
Don’t miss this chance to see historical Hina Dolls, craft your own original set, and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of “Udatsu no Machiya no Ohinasama.”
We look forward to your visit and hope you enjoy our hands-on workshop!
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Visiting from overseas? Come as a group of friends!
Enjoy a friendly atmosphere
Making a snake from the Zodiac (Year of the Snake) together
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This week, we welcomed a group from Taiwan.
According to their guide, everyone in the group already knew each other.
They traveled to Japan together as friends!
Yet during the workshop, they were all very focused and quiet.
There was hardly any chatting; everyone was in serious crafting mode.
They seemed determined to make the cutest, most decorative snake!
They truly had fun with the decorations.
Photo: Customer Creations
We’re delighted that more overseas guests are discovering the charms of Mino City.
Inquiries from abroad are increasing.
We offer simple kits that are easy for international visitors to enjoy.
Feel free to contact us for details!
We checked which countries our visitors have come from so far—
and it’s now 38 countries (individuals and groups)!
North & South America:
USA, Brazil, Canada
Asia:
Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, East Timor, Nepal, India, Israel, Cambodia, Laos, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Pakistan, Malaysia
Europe:
UK, France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Italy
Oceania:
Australia, New Zealand
▼For study tours, international student cultural exchanges, and overseas employee trips▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_672_0_0.html
We also welcome company trips.
Up to 45 participants at one time!
For group inquiries, please see below▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
The Mino City Hall’s Mino Washi Promotion Section
is currently conducting surveys on inbound tourists.
They’ve been receiving responses from all over the world.
They’re gathering info to make Mino City tourism even more appealing,
so stay tuned for more enhancements!
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Our hometown: the land of Mino Washi,
Mino City, Gifu Prefecture, News
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Looking forward to spring
Cherry Blossom Hotspot
Ogura Park
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Ogura Park
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/nature-scenery/p5979/
When Nagachika Kanamori was granted the land of Mino by Tokugawa Ieyasu, he built Ogura Castle on Mount Ogura. At only 159m above sea level, the mountain is now a city park called Ogura Park, beloved by both locals and visitors. In spring, about 100 cherry trees bloom in full glory, attracting crowds during the Sakura Festival—a highly popular spot.
Address: 1571-3 Mino, Gifu
Getting There:
Approx. 10 min on foot from Minoshi Station on the Nagaragawa Railway
Approx. 1 min on foot from “Udatsu no Machinami-dori” bus stop on the Gifu Bus Gifu-Mino Line
Approx. 5 min by car from Mino IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway via National Route 156
Parking: Available
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A new school year is just around the corner!
Time to refresh your usual trip plans
Make your next school trip an unforgettable experience!
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Hands-on activities are increasingly popular for school excursions!
Last year, one visiting school incorporated a hands-on workshop into their daily schedule.
Each day, students engaged in some type of experiential learning.
That’s what we heard from them.
At our shop, up to 45 people can join a workshop at the same time.
For groups larger than 45, we use a rotation system, but since the shop is located
in the picturesque “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” district—reminiscent of the Edo period—
you can explore historic sites like the old Imai Residence, Kosaka Sake Brewery, and the Akari Art Museum while some members are crafting.
Enjoy the streets full of traditional-meets-modern art and your own Mino Washi crafting session.
Each session takes around 40–60 minutes per rotation.
That leaves plenty of time for exploring, shopping for souvenirs, and experiencing a fulfilling day.
We’re confident your group will love it!
Also, if you head to the “Mino Washi no Sato Kaikan,” you can try traditional papermaking.
They have exhibits explaining Mino Washi’s history and production process,
making it perfect for educational trips or social studies.
When you actually make paper, you’ll see the depth and cultural value of this traditional craft.
Mino Washi, by the way,
is recognized as part of “Japan Heritage,” reflecting the rich history of the Nagara River region.
▼Discover historical houses and culture:
Old Imai Residence & Mino History Museum
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/history-culture/p5974/
▼Immerse yourself in enchanting washi art:
Akari Art Museum
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/townscape-architecture/p5976/
When you walk around town,
the map downloadable from the Mino City Tourism Association website (https://minokanko.com/pamphlet/) will come in handy.
If you want a deeper insight, consider arranging a volunteer guide in advance.
*Available for groups of 10 or more.
*Groups of 20 or fewer wanting to visit on non-operating days will need an additional facility fee. Check details below.
https://minokanko.com/news/news/p6710/
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Thinking ahead to summer vacation plans
Add a cool indoor activity to your summer event tour
Escape the heat with Mino Washi crafting!
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No doubt this summer will be hot!
So why not cool down indoors with a fun workshop?
Your finished piece can even count as a summer vacation art project!
We have over 30 different craft kits ready, but
if you have a particular character or theme in mind,
just let our staff know for advice on customizing your project!
We’re here to help you create a unique souvenir.
Mino City is also famous for its clear Nagara River,
a great spot for water activities.
Check out the Mino City Tourism Association website for more information.
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Golden Week Must-Do
Recommended Hands-On Workshop
Create your own unique May decorations
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Celebrate Children’s Day
We recommend making May-themed ornaments
Choose from various sets
Two carp streamers (blue & red)
Kabuto Boy & Carp set
Samurai Warlord & Carp set, and more
Perfect for parents and kids, siblings, couples, or the whole family.
Parents can work together to
create a special first festival gift for your child!
Our Washi Korokoro workshop is easy to start anywhere!
All you need is a table, chairs, glue, and scissors to begin. If you don’t have the tools, no worries—we can lend you a complete set, including scissors and glue, for your group workshops.
≪Tool Rental Set≫
For 10 people, 1 set: ¥5,000 (+ tax)
~Set contents~
10 tweezers
5 glue containers (1 per 2 people)
5 scissors (1 per 2 people)
Glue
We have about 30 kinds of kits available, so feel free to contact us first.
Add decorations for extra flair
To finish up your project, you can use cute cutouts and patterned washi paper as decorations.
≪Recommended Materials Set≫
Set of die-cut paper & cutouts (10g): ¥1,000
Enough for about 10 people, with a little bonus included—great value!
Colorful cutouts can be layered or punched out for a lovely finish.
Experience “consuming the experience” and bring home your craft as a memorable souvenir!
You get to take your creation home right away, making it a perfect travel keepsake. Just like bringing home a “local product,” purchasing this hands-on workshop offers a lasting memory of your trip.
“Washi Korokoro Series” — Fun All Year Round
We have seasonal designs for every month—great for year-round workshops! Great for those seeking repeat visits, adding variety to each event.
January: Zodiac, Setsubun (including “Aka Oni” - Red Ogre)
February: Hina Dolls, Valentine’s Day Korokoro messages
March: Easter, Rabbits
April: Festival season, Shishimai (lion dance)
May: May Dolls, Warlord Series, Carp Streamers
June: Rainy season, Frogs & Goldfish
July: Tanabata (Star Festival)
August: Goldfish
September: Cute animals (rabbits, owls, etc.)
October: Halloween
November: Zodiac, Daruma, Maneki Neko
December: Christmas, next year’s Zodiac, etc.
We also have a popular “Fortune & Good Luck” lineup and a wide range of historical (Samurai or Princess) designs you can enjoy all year. This variety appeals to a broad audience and makes for repeatable, fun events.
Contact us to get started!
Whether you want to focus on “Washi Korokoro Carp Streamers” for Children’s Day or plan a multi-season workshop, feel free to reach out.
Make this Golden Week extra special with a hands-on crafting event!
Immerse yourself in the warmth and beauty of Japanese washi paper, and create memories for everyone to cherish.
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From January 2025
we’ve updated workshop pricing
for the Experience Menu.
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Some customers have already reserved at the new rates.
Starting January 2025, the following price updates apply.
Washi Korokoro Workshop
¥1,100 → ¥1,210
Washi Korokoro Carp Streamer Workshop
¥1,210 → ¥1,320
Washi Korokoro Warlord Series
¥1,210 → ¥1,320
Washi Plate Workshop
¥990 → ¥1,100
Washi Pen Stand Workshop
¥990 → ¥1,100
Family Set A
¥1,990 → ¥2,210
Family Set B
¥1,990 → ¥2,210
Family Set C
¥1,770 → ¥1,880
Washi Bookmark Workshop
¥770 (no change)
Washi Earrings & Piercing Workshop
¥1,320 (no change)
We look forward to your reservations!
Check all workshop menus below:
Washi Korokoro Difficulty Levels
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/87/287_1_file.png
Washi Korokoro Zodiac & Warlord Series Menu
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/88/288_1_file.jpg
Washi Plate, Washi Pen Stand, Washi Bookmark, Washi Earrings/Piercings Menu
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/89/289_1_file.jpg
Great-value Family Sets
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/90/290_1_file.jpg
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December, January, and February Instagram Contest
Keyword:
#石川紙業コンテストwinter2025
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We’re continuing our Insta contest in December, January, and February.
Use the hashtag:
#石川紙業コンテストwinter2025
We look forward to your posts!
*Note the hashtag has changed from some previous info.
Please be careful to use the updated tag.
Not only creations made in our workshop—
but also items made at home using our craft kits
are eligible for the contest!
To purchase kits…
Visit our Rakuten kit shop:
https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/%E6%89%8B%E4%BD%9C%E3%82%8A%E3%82%AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%88/?sid=391090
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Ishikawa Shigyo Headquarters Info
New Inbound Catalog
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During this year’s Spring Festival, Gifu Prefecture ranked 6th among top spots chosen by inbound tourists.
With inbound tourism on the rise,
we’ve compiled best-selling items for international visitors
into our Inbound Catalog, now with new products!
New Product 1
“Washi Dealer’s Costume Kokeshi”
Ishikawa Shigyo’s original kokeshi dolls
Traditional kokeshi production has slowed due to material shortages.
So we developed our own design!
Our top designs are Ninja,
Samurai (cool and sharp),
and a charming Town Maiden.
New Product 2
“Omikuji Fortune Ceramic Figures”
Popular among inbound visitors:
Maneki Neko, Daruma, Otogi Inu (Inu Hariko style), Ojizo-san, Shishi-gashira (lion head), etc.
We provide special POP displays in multiple languages for inbound marketing!
Each set comes with 24 pieces, easy to place near registers.
Check out our Inbound Catalog here▼
www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/76/276_1_file.pdf
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Minowa’s Note: [Temple Cleaning]
About four times a year, we have a community cleanup at a local temple.
My husband and I usually go together,
but now our third-grade grandchild, who loves joining in on everything,
has started coming along as well.
The temple is surrounded by hills,
so there are always a lot of leaves to sweep up—it’s quite a workout.
Our third-grader battles a bamboo broom as tall as they are,
but they’re still determined to help.
After about an hour of sweeping, even on these cold days,
we all work up a sweat.
“Grandma, I’m sweating!” my grandchild proudly proclaims.
Of course, we spoil them,
so the three of us head out for a little “thank you” breakfast afterward.
It’s now part of our routine!
That’s all for now…
For any inquiries about this newsletter, please contact us▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
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[About Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo]
Founded in 1902 (Meiji 35), we are a Mino Washi crafts manufacturer.
Experience “Handwork by Washi Artisans” at our Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo.
Located in “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture—
a preservation district with 270 years of history—enjoy washi craft workshops in a traditional building.
This is a popular tourist attraction in Mino City,
offering hands-on experiences for families, groups, or anyone visiting Gifu Prefecture.
Our workshops are also great for educational trips,
teaching the history of Mino Washi with a fun DIY approach.
We have about 30 different workshops like the “Washi Korokoro” paper dolls,
Washi earrings, pen stands, plates, bookmarks, summer uchiwa fans,
and more. We even offer historical samurai and princess-themed designs.
We welcome inbound travelers from 37 countries!
No reservation needed for individuals (30–60 minutes). Our staff is on hand to guide you,
so even beginners can join without worry. Take your finished craft home immediately.
For groups of 10 or more, please make a reservation. Up to 45 can join at once.
Larger groups can rotate. We can also open outside business hours for group tours.
We stock 600 kinds of Mino Washi goods from our headquarters, Ishikawa Shigyo.
Google Maps Rating: 4.9 (466 reviews) as of 2024.07.09
[Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo on TV]
“Can I Charge My Battery Here?” with Tetsuro Degawa in Mino City, Gifu: Washi Doll Workshop
https://youtu.be/S8nqVqxGoiI
NHK “Marutto! Gifu” Mino Washi Uchiwa Fan Workshop
https://youtu.be/Pn995x3oX9Q
Matsuken Sanpo Washi Plate Workshop
https://youtu.be/0Xj95TBhXoU
“Hanasaka Times” featuring Washi Korokoro with Haruka Minowa & Yuriyan Retriever
https://youtu.be/u9tJ1DURNic
NHK News: Making Mino Washi Dolls at Ishikawa Shigyo!
https://youtu.be/OULbvsHaA8w
NHK Gifu “Hot Evening Gifu” Mino Washi Doll Workshop at Ishikawa Shigyo
https://youtu.be/u1g85fl89KI
Chukyo TV “Catch!” featuring Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
https://youtu.be/k9Kd993PUq8
CBC “Ippou” Mino City, Gifu Sightseeing & Mino Washi Crafts Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
https://youtu.be/qZ7_hOmaQ-8
Gifu Channel “Meccha Gifu Hunter”: Washi Korokoro Lucky Cat & Kimono Dressing
https://youtu.be/xGpfUOAcmtM
CCN “Area Topic” Washi Korokoro Gifu Bus Collaboration
https://youtu.be/aowdKHSnze8
Mino Washi Crafts for Families
Gifu Traditional Craft Workshop
Mino City Paper Souvenirs & DIY Guides
Gifu Tourism & Local Experiences
Handmade Washi Dolls: Great for Family Trips
Mino Washi Crafts Workshop: Create Your Own Souvenir
Washi Craft Classes for Children in Gifu
Group Tours: Mino Washi Crafts Experience
Gifu Handcrafted Washi Workshop & Cultural Tour
Senior-Friendly Travel: Mino City Tours
Gifu Washi Culture Experience: Advance Booking
Washi Crafts & Mino City Cultural Itinerary
Mino Washi Crafts: Japanese Culture Tour
Gifu Family Experience & Sightseeing Spots
Mino Washi Travel Packages & Tours
Perfect for school field trips or social studies, up to 45 participants at once!
Ideal for Overseas Employees: Cultural Exchange & Washi Workshop for Groups up to 45
Local elementary schools join our workshop to learn about community heritage and history
Welcoming international visitors: Mino City traditional crafts & Japanese cultural experiences
Overseas group tours: Make unforgettable memories with Japanese papermaking
Host up to 45 people simultaneously! Group Reservations at our Mino Washi Workshop
Great for school excursions and social studies: Learn Mino Washi at Ishikawa Shigyo
Group travel welcome! Company trips love our Mino Washi Workshop
[Gifu / Mino City] Discover the globally admired Japanese papermaking tradition at Udatsu no Agaru Machinami
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