Immersive Japanese Cultural Tourism Mino Gifu Japan: Enjoy Handmade experience Traditional Original Mino Washi Paper dolls and Crafts in an Edo-Period Town.Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop 2025.03.07
2025.03.12If you’re visiting Mino City in Gifu Prefecture, this is the place to go! Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
Newsletter No. 238
In the historic “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” district known for Mino Washi paper,
you can enjoy making Mino Washi crafts and find perfect souvenirs at
the Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo. Latest updates below.
From the Mino City Tourism Association homepage
We have displayed Ishikawa Shigyo’s Boys’ Festival items!
Inside the store, we have a full lineup of May (Boys’ Festival) items from Ishikawa Shigyo!
How about giving a memorable gift to someone special? We also have budget-friendly items that don’t take up much space to display.
“Washi Korokoro” Chinese Zodiac Series / “Washi Korokoro” Samurai Series
Right now, for a special price[Washi Korokoro Monchhichi] Handcraft Experience ¥1210
Washi Plates, Washi Pen Holders, Washi Bookmarks, Washi Earrings and Piercings
Over 30 types available! We also share our operating schedules and other updates.
Our skilled artisans at Ishikawa Shigyo carefully craft these May festival items. Please take a look.
Check out the shop’s latest info, details on our menus, and access information.
What is the Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop all about?
You can enjoy a hands-on craft experience! And take home Mino Washi souvenirs!
▼Website▼ https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Rakuten E-Commerce▼ https://www.rakuten.co.jp/ishikawa-shigyo/
Highly recommended for Mino City tourism.
Latest Shop Information
NEW! Shop’s March, April, and May business days
For a blog post featuring our operating schedule, click here https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1584.html
We accept group reservations (10+ people) even on days we’re closed!
Column
• NEW! We’ve received new shipments of Boys’ Festival dolls, decorative pouches/envelopes, and single-sheet stationery items and have displayed them in the store.
• Wow, so many visitors from around the world come to experience craft-making at Ishikawa Shigyo.
• Hometown news: Mino City in Gifu Prefecture, famous for Mino Washi paper.
• Group tours can enjoy workshops that let you discover the culture and industry of Mino, with hands-on Mino Washi experiences—great for an immersive Mino City travel plan.
• For summer break, we recommend these special travel plans. We still have availability for summer reservations!
• Ideal for events! Our “Washi Korokoro” DIY kits are easy to make by following the instructions—highly recommended!
• “Udatsu no Machinami” has a Hinamatsuri (doll festival) and Boys’ Festival events right now, and we’re a participating location in the stamp rally!
• Instagram contests in March–April–May. Hashtag: #IshikawashigyoContestspring2025
• Ishikawa Shigyo headquarters update: we’ve increased our range of origami and chiyogami patterns!
• Introducing Sato, our new staff member who’s taken over from Minowa. Stay tuned for more columns!
This newsletter is packed with interesting updates. Thank you for reading and for your continued support.
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NEW! Boys’ Festival dolls and stationery items (noshi, small envelopes, single-sheet stationery) have arrived!
They’re now in-store!
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We’ve updated our in-store selection this week!
We’ve displayed our May festival items at the store!
Come see our new 2025 Boys’ Festival decorations from Ishikawa Shigyo!
We carry a range of Boys’ Festival items to suit your needs and preferences.
We also continue to offer our popular name-plaque service so you can celebrate your child’s growth and the Boys’ Festival in a unique way.
Our store’s “Washi Korokoro” line also includes items for Boys’ Festival.
We have kits for the May festival,
so you can complete your own one-of-a-kind creation!
New Japanese stationery lineup
Pochi-bukuro (small envelope)... We use thick washi that’s not see-through. The bold floral patterns are beautiful and can be used for any occasion.
Long-style small envelope... Uses the same thick washi as our standard envelopes. The flower-themed design is accented with Swarovski embellishments.
Ticket notes... A slim envelope for tucking in a short message along with a gift, and includes a small single-sheet letter paper as well.
Fukumono... Illustrated by Tome Kamiooka’s “Fukumono-tai,” bringing luck to everyone. Includes small envelopes and single-sheet stationery.
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Wow, really!? People from around the world
are visiting Ishikawa Shigyo’s hands-on experience!
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At the Ishikawa Shigyo Experience Shop, the number of reservations from overseas guests has increased.
Recently, we’ve hosted group visitors from Taiwan, Hawaii, and Italy, among others.
Naturally, overseas travelers visiting Mino City for sightseeing sometimes drop in unexpectedly!
When we checked which countries our visitors come from…
it turns out we’ve now welcomed guests from 38 countries (both individuals and groups)!
North & South America:
USA, Brazil, Canada
Asia:
Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, 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
etc.
We are truly grateful to have visitors from so many countries. We’ll keep striving to create a shop everyone can enjoy!
People often ask, “Is it okay if visitors from all over the world come, language-wise?”
We do have staff who are comfortable speaking English.
And even if communication is challenging, we create a warm, shared experience of crafting together, resulting in everyone’s smiles.
Additionally, each Ishikawa Shigyo kit includes instructions with clear visuals, so you can take a kit home and enjoy making it there, too.
Naturally, we sell these kit products in-store, and we also offer a range of souvenirs popular with inbound tourists.
We hope you’ll drop by.
▼We also welcome overseas student cultural exchanges and site tours for international workers▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_672_0_0.html
The Mino Washi Promotion Division at Mino City Hall
is currently conducting surveys for inbound visitors.
They’ve received replies from various countries.
Mino City is collecting info from overseas guests
to make our tourism even more appealing!
Stay tuned!
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Our Town: Mino, a major production area of Mino Washi
Gifu Prefecture, Mino City News
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Mino’s symbol: Ogurayama
Soon it will be covered in cherry blossoms
The Cherry Blossom Festival is about to begin!
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It’s now March.
During this season as winter changes to spring,
the bare cherry tree branches are starting to take on faint color.
Looking forward to cherry-blossom viewing again this year.
Mino City has cherry-blossom viewing spots centered around Ogurayama, the symbol of Mino.
We’re excited to share news about this year’s cherry blossom festival:
Sakura Matsuri
https://minokanko.com/event/category/spring/p6010/
In spring, Ogura Park boasts about 100 Yamazakura and Somei Yoshino trees, making it a popular spot for cherry blossoms. From mid-March to early May, we hold the “Sakura Matsuri” featuring local seasonal food stalls where you can taste specialties like “Konoha Dengaku” and “Goheimochi.” From 6pm to 11pm, the cherry blossoms are illuminated for night viewing, drawing many visitors each year.
*Please note that the seasonal stalls may not be operating on certain days.
In fact, Mino City has other great cherry blossom spots as well.
As a Mino native, I, Sato,
will introduce more of Mino City’s cherry blossom spots in the next edition.
We hope you’ll visit Mino City this spring.
And after your blossom-viewing, please do drop by our experience shop!
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For Group Travel: Workshops
Experience Mino Washi
Learn about Mino’s culture and industry
Experience-based tourism in Mino City
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It’s said that hands-on school trips have become popular in recent years.
Mino City has three assets registered as World Heritage items.
We offer a variety of experiences allowing you to immerse yourself in these world heritages!
From traditional papermaking experiences where you learn how to make Mino Washi from scratch,
to boat rides along the Nagara River,
there are many attractions to enjoy.
For example,
Osaka Sake Brewery, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/townscape-architecture/p5977/
Former Imai Family Residence Mino Museum, a city-designated cultural property
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/history-culture/p5974/
Mino Washi no Sato Kaikan (Mino Washi Paper Village), and Mino Washi Akari Art Hall for deeper exploration of Mino Washi culture
Mino Washi no Sato Kaikan
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/history-culture/p5975/
Akari Art Hall
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/townscape-architecture/p5976/
Beyond hands-on experiences, you can also explore the streets.
Strolling through the nostalgic atmosphere that feels like stepping back to the Edo period
lets you experience a blend of tradition and modern art.
Consider combining a city walk with
our Mino Washi craft experience as part of your group travel itinerary.
If you plan a stroll,
the Mino City Tourism Association website (https://minokanko.com/pamphlet/) has downloadable maps. Volunteer guides are also available for those seeking deeper insight—please inquire in advance.
*Groups of 10 or more can arrange tours.
*If fewer than 20 people want to visit on a day we’re closed, a facility fee may apply. Check details below.
https://minokanko.com/news/news/p6710/
Now that we’ve introduced some Mino City highlights,
our shop also offers hands-on experiences using Mino Washi, a core local industry.
We have over 30 different “Washi Korokoro” roly-poly doll experiences,
along with washi plates, washi pen holders, and seasonal items like washi fans in summer.
Groups of up to 45 people can do these experiences simultaneously.
If you have more than 45 people, we can alternate sessions.
Up to 45 people can experience at one time.
Sharing a creative experience with your friends, family, or colleagues
makes for wonderful group-travel memories.
We’d be happy to help provide that for you!
For group inquiries, please contact us here▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
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Great for summer travel plans
We still have availability for summer break reservations!
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We recommend our experiences for children’s summer activities!
Even in the hot summer, you can enjoy a group crafting session in our cool indoor space.
Perfect for families, kids, and group tours with sports clubs or corporate getaways.
It’s bound to be another scorching summer!
Outdoor strolls are nice, but how about staying cool inside with a craft experience?
Kids’ clubs, family trips, sports teams, or corporate retreats.
If you want to create a fun summer memory,
and you’re organizing a summer event,
consider us for your plan!
In our cool, air-conditioned shop, you can make wonderful memories with children at Ishikawa Shigyo!
You can create your own unique original items!
Your handmade crafts can also count as summer homework projects!
We have over 30 different DIY kits,
and if you chat with our staff,
they can help you adapt it to your favorite character or design!
Our staff are happy to offer tips!
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Perfect for events!
Easy to make by following the instructions
“Washi Korokoro” DIY kits!
Highly recommended!
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Ideal for Children’s Day events,
and summer vacation events!
These are our popular items:
The Washi Korokoro DIY series
For Golden Week, we recommend a craft experience making May-themed decorations for Children’s Day.
There are several sets available:
A set of two carp streamers (blue and red),
a kabuto-helmet boy and carp streamer set,
samurai plus carp streamer sets, and so on.
Enjoy it as a family—parents, children, siblings, or couples.
Parents can also work together
to create a wonderful first Boys’ Festival gift for a child!
Actually, you can enjoy this experience even if you can’t come to the shop,
because you can start a Washi Korokoro craft workshop anywhere!
All you need is a table, chairs, glue, and scissors to begin your workshop.
Don’t worry if you don’t have those supplies: Ishikawa Shigyo can provide a full set including glue and scissors.
≪Tool Loan Set≫
For 10 people, 1 set: ￥5,000 (plus tax)
~Set contents~
10 tweezers
5 glue bottles (1 for every 2 people)
5 scissors (1 for every 2 people)
Glue
We also offer around 30 different DIY kits, so please feel free to contact us for details.
Boost your workshop with decorations
We recommend using charming paper cutouts or punch-out shapes for finishing touches.
≪Recommended Materials Set≫
Cutout/punch-out paper set (10g): ￥1,000
Enough for about 10 people, plus a little bonus included. Great value!
Beautiful cutout paper can be used for wonderful finishing touches.
You get both the intangible experience (“koto consumption”) and a souvenir all at once!
You can take your finished creation home right away, making it a perfect keepsake of the event or trip. Like a “local souvenir,” you can “purchase” an experience that becomes a treasured memory.
Enjoy the “Washi Korokoro Series” year-round
Actually, our lineup is extensive, matching monthly events and seasonal holidays. So you can propose it anytime of year! That’s a big advantage for repeating events, too.
January: Zodiac animals, Setsubun (new release “Aka Oni” demon)
February: Hina dolls, Valentine’s Day with Korokoro messages
March: Easter, rabbits
April: Festival season with lion dances, etc.
May: Boys’ Festival dolls, samurai series, carp streamers
June: Rainy season, frogs, goldfish
July: Tanabata
August: Goldfish
September: Cute animals, rabbits, owls
October: Halloween
November: Chinese zodiac, daruma, maneki-neko
December: Christmas, zodiac animals, etc.
We also carry many designs from our year-round “Good Luck Series” and our “Historical (Samurai and Princess) Series.” You can suggest them for different seasons and themes, encouraging repeat participation and making each event more lively.
Contact us first!
You can start small with “Washi Korokoro Carp Streamers,” or put together a full seasonal lineup for a long-term plan. If you’re interested, please get in touch.
Why not add a special flair to your Golden Week with a hands-on craft activity?
The warmth of washi paper and colorful decorations will make for memorable moments.
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“Udatsu no Machinami” Hina Dolls & Boys’ Festival
Events in progress
We are a stamp rally partner store!
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Udatsu no Machiya no Ohinasama
Event dates: February 8, 2025 (Sun) – April 3 (Wed)
Boys’ Festival
Event dates: mid-April – May 5 (Sun), 2025
Stroll around and join the stamp rally!
Throughout the “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” district, where our store is located, the “Udatsu no Machiya no Ohinasama & Boys’ Festival” features various Hina dolls and Boys’ Festival decorations displayed in many spots. It’s truly impressive, including some rarely seen seven-tier Hina dolls!
There’s also a stamp rally!
If you shop at stores participating in the stamp rally (we’re one of them), you’ll receive stamps.
Collecting stamps from different stores lets you try a lottery machine for a chance to
win a fabulous prize♪ Enjoy! (Hosted by the Mino City Tourism Association)
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Instagram Contests in March, April, and May
Hashtag: #IshikawashigyoContestspring2025
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From March, our #IshikawashigyoContestspring2025 is now underway!
Keep posting with #IshikawashigyoContestspring2025!
We look forward to your posts!
Not just creations made in our Experience Shop,
but also kits purchased and made at home
can be posted.
To purchase kits:
Our Rakuten kit site:
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News from Ishikawa Shigyo HQ
We’ve expanded our lineup of origami and chiyogami!
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We now have a bigger selection of color paper (Mino Washi), Yuzen origami, small Yuzen origami in boxes, and booklets with folding instructions, among others. We’ve expanded our origami lineup at Ishikawa Shigyo.
Folding paper at an early age helps develop dexterity and cognition.
We hope you’ll try these products.
We in the Ishikawa Shigyo sales team believe you’ll be delighted by the quality, vibrant colors, and durability.
You can do classic origami, tear-paper art, or make table mats, chopstick sleeves, or small envelopes—the possibilities are endless. Enjoy them during your days off, spring break, or with your family during Golden Week!
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I’m taking over from Minowa; the contact person has changed.
Look forward to the new staff column!
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Hello ^ ^
I’m Sato, taking over this newsletter and shop management from Minowa.
Nice to meet you and thanks in advance ^ ^
I was born in Mino City, left for a while, and returned upon marriage.
Now, back in the place I’ve known all my life,
I’m raising my only daughter alongside the familiar faces in my community and family.
By handling this newsletter,
I, a mother, parent, and an individual,
joined Ishikawa Shigyo as a sales rep, and
– will share what I’ve discovered working at Ishikawa Shigyo,
– experiences living in Mino City,
– notes on raising my daughter,
and so on,
as I learn from many people every day and have fun along the way.
Thank you very much for supporting Ishikawa Shigyo,
I will do my best,
and we appreciate your continued loyalty.
I look forward to meeting and engaging with everyone ^ ^
For inquiries about our newsletter, please contact▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
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[Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo – Company Overview]
Founded in 1902 (Meiji Year 35), we are a Mino Washi goods manufacturer,
where you can enjoy hands-on craft experiences based on the “Washi Maker’s Handiwork” philosophy of our main company, Ishikawa Shigyo.
Located in “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami,” a famous sightseeing district in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture,
you can create washi crafts inside a 270-year-old traditional building in a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
This family-friendly Mino Washi craft experience is a local favorite for visitors to Mino City and a highlight of Gifu tourism.
Perfect for a group travel plan that includes an authentic washi craft experience, or for families exploring Japan’s cultural traditions.
Our washi craft workshop is also popular for school trips, as you can learn about the history of Mino Washi in a fun way. Couples also enjoy it as a romantic outing.
We offer experiences like making “Washi Korokoro” roly-poly dolls,
washi earrings, pen holders, plates, bookmarks, and in summer, Mino Washi fans,
with 30 different hands-on craft options. We also have figures from historical figures in Sekigahara,
Gifu Bus, and Nagaragawa Railway for special customizing.
Our Mino Washi craft experience is also popular with inbound tourists from around the world—
we’ve welcomed visitors from 37 countries for group tours who enjoy it as part of a Japan travel experience.
No reservation needed for individuals. Each session takes about 30–60 minutes.
We provide staff guidance and basic materials, so even those who lack confidence in their crafting skills can relax.
You can take your finished product home right away.
For groups of 10 or more, please book in advance.
Up to 45 people can craft simultaneously in our shop.
We can rotate groups if more than 45. We also accept group travel reservations outside business hours.
You can both do a hands-on craft and browse 600 types of Mino Washi souvenirs, made by Ishikawa Shigyo HQ—very popular!
Google Maps review rating: 4.9 (466 reviews) as of 2024.07.09
[Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo – TV Broadcast Clips]
“Degawa Tetsuro no Juden Sasete Moraemasenka?” featuring Gifu Prefecture’s Mino City Washi doll making
https://youtu.be/S8nqVqxGoiI
NHK “Marutto! Gifu” program featuring a Mino Washi Uchiwa fan experience
https://youtu.be/Pn995x3oX9Q
“Matsuken Sanpo” segment – Washi plate-making experience
https://youtu.be/0Xj95TBhXoU
“Hanasaka Times” – Handicraft experience, Washi Korokoro dolls with Haruka Minowa & Yuriyan Retriever
https://youtu.be/u9tJ1DURNic
NHK News – Mino Washi doll-making experience!
https://youtu.be/OULbvsHaA8w
NHK Gifu “Hot Evening Gifu” – Mino Washi doll-making at Ishikawa Shigyo
https://youtu.be/u1g85fl89KI
Chukyo TV “Catch!” – Fun Craft Experience at Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
https://youtu.be/k9Kd993PUq8
CBC “Ippou” – Gifu Prefecture Mino City sightseeing, hands-on at Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
https://youtu.be/qZ7_hOmaQ-8
Gifu Channel “Mecha Gifu Hunter” – DIY Washi Korokoro Maneki-neko, wearing a kimono
https://youtu.be/xGpfUOAcmtM
CCN Area Topic – “Washi Korokoro Gifu Bus,” Gifu Bus × Ishikawa Shigyo craft experience
https://youtu.be/aowdKHSnze8
Mino Washi crafts for parents and kids
Gifu traditional crafts – hands-on experience
Mino City, Washi, souvenirs, how-to info
Gifu sightseeing with local experiences and tours
Making washi dolls with family travel experiences
Mino Washi goods craft workshop
Washi craft classes for children in Gifu
Group-friendly Mino Washi Goods Experience Tours
Gifu Handcrafted Washi Workshops
Senior group tours to Mino City
Gifu Washi goods cultural experiences – booking available
Washi craft in Mino City – Sightseeing plans
Mino Washi crafts – Experience Japan’s culture tour
Gifu family-friendly sightseeing spots
Mino Washi travel package tours
Groups welcomed! Enjoy your school trip or field trip with up to 45 participants!
Overseas workers, corporate group study tours with cultural washi exchange – up to 45 participants possible
Local elementary schools do craft experiences to promote local attractions and learn history
We welcome international visitors to Mino City’s traditional crafts – Japanese cultural experiences with Mino Washi dolls
Overseas group tours can enjoy an unforgettable Japanese cultural experience
Accommodates up to 45 participants simultaneously – group reservations for Mino Washi workshops
Recommended for school trips and educational tours! Learn Mino Washi crafts with up to 45 people at Ishikawa Shigyo
Group travel welcome! Popular Mino Washi craft plan for company outings
[Gifu, Mino City] A globally recognized washi craft experience! Perfect for overseas group tours exploring Udatsu no Agaru Machinami
Ideal for school trips, study tours, and cultural programs in Mino City – a hands-on experience loved by international visitors!
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