Spring in Full Bloom! Would you like to make unforgettable spring memories at the Mino Washi (Japanese paper) Craft and Experience Shop?
This is the place to visit in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture for sightseeing!
Mino Washi Craft and Experience Shop, Ishikawa Shigyo
Newsletter Issue No. 240
Why not try a hands-on Mino Washi crafting activity at “Mino Washi Craft and Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo,” located in an Edo-period building with a “udatsu” (characteristic eaves), built in 1760?
Latest news from the Mino Washi Craft and Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo.
Recommended for everyone, from solo travelers to couples, families, or even large group tours who want a fun trip in Japan.
Groups of up to 45 people can enjoy the hands-on experience at once.
Our menu includes over 30 kinds of paper crafts: Mino Washi “Korokoro” paper dolls, paper fans,
washi earrings, washi plates, washi pen holders, washi bookmarks, and so much more!
We share updates such as operating schedules.
▼HP▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Rakuten e-commerce site▼
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/ishikawa-shigyo/
▼Latest shop information▼
NEW! Information on shop business days for March, April, and May
[Important Note] We can accommodate group reservations outside of these listed days!
Thanks for waiting!
Once again, we’re bringing you details about the cherry blossom spots in Mino City, as well as the hottest new updates from the Mino Washi Craft and Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo ^ ^
Here are the topics this time♪
• Celebrate the milestones of your loved ones with money envelopes, small gift envelopes, and mini letter pads! Introducing our shop’s new lineup♪
• Our hometown Mino, the birthplace of Mino Washi—locals reveal another hidden cherry blossom spot!
• From all over Japan to around the globe, Ishikawa Shigyo’s crafting experience creates smiles everywhere^ ^
• What is Mino City like? How about adding a workshop to your sightseeing itinerary?
• Attention travel agencies! Planning a group tour? Do you already have plans for summer vacation?
• Perfect for workshop event organizers or home parties! Easily craft with Ishikawa Shigyo’s kit products by following simple instructions♪
• “Udatsu no Machinami” (the old streets of Mino) is hosting events for Hina Dolls and May Festival decorations—we’re participating in the stamp rally!
• March, April, and May Instagram Contest—keyword is #IshikawaShigyoContestSpring2025
• Column by our staff—We’ve decided on a title: Mayu “Mino” Diary. Thank you for reading ^ ^
It’s packed this week, too♪
We hope you’ll join us until the end^ ^
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Celebrate your loved ones’ big milestones with money envelopes, small gift envelopes, and mini letter pads! Introducing our shop’s new items♪
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April is a season of farewells and new beginnings.
Spring in Full Bloom! Would you like to create memorable spring experiences at the Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop?
If you’re planning a trip to Gifu Prefecture’s Mino City, this is the place to go!
Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
E-Newsletter No.240
Why not immerse yourself in a hands-on Mino Washi experience at the “Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo,” located in an Edo-period building built in 1760 that still retains its traditional udatsu roof features?
Here’s the latest news from Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo.
Highly recommended for everyone—from solo travelers and couples to families and large groups planning a memorable journey.
Groups of up to 45 people can enjoy a hands-on workshop together at once.
Our workshop menu includes more than 30 types of craft activities, such as Mino washi Korokoro paper dolls, washi fans,
washi earrings, washi necklaces, washi plates, washi pen stands, washi bookmarks, and more!
We share various announcements, including our operating schedule.
▼HP▼
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Rakuten E-commerce site▼
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/ishikawa-shigyo/
▼Latest Shop Info▼
NEW! Shop Opening Schedule for March, April, and May
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1584.html
【Important】 We also accept group reservations outside of the above business days!!
Thank you for waiting!
This time, we’ll share updates on cherry blossoms in Mino City
and the hottest news from Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo ^ ^
Here’s what’s in this issue♪
• Noshi-bukuro envelopes, small gift envelopes (pochibukuro), and single-page letter pads! Celebrate life’s milestones for those who matter with our new in-shop items♪
• Our hometown Mino—famous for Mino Washi paper. Check out a local-favorite cherry blossom spot, Part 2
• From all over Japan to destinations worldwide—see how our Ishikawa Shigyo workshops bring smiles to everyone ^ ^
• Learn all about Mino City! Why not include a crafting experience in your sightseeing?
• Travel agencies—consider our workshops for your group tours! Have you booked your summer holiday plans yet?
• Perfect for workshops or at-home events! Try Ishikawa Shigyo’s kit products, easily made by following our instructions♪
• The Udatsu Historical District hosts a special Doll Festival and Boys’ Day Display! We’re participating in a stamp rally!
• March, April, and May Instagram Contest! The keyword is #IshikawaShigyoContestSpring2025
• Staff Column: We’ve decided on a title—Mayu “Mino” Diary—thank you for your support ^ ^
We have so much to share again this week♪
We hope you enjoy reading along ^ ^
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Noshi-bukuro envelopes, small gift envelopes (pochibukuro), single-page letter pads! Celebrate a loved one’s new beginning! Introducing our latest in-store products♪
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April is the season of farewells and new encounters.
Cheer on someone who is at a turning point in life
by using a lovely noshi-bukuro, pochibukuro, or single-page letter pad to say,
“I’m rooting for you! You can do this!”
At Ishikawa Shigyo’s Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop, we also stock popular pochibukuro, noshi-bukuro, and single-page letter pads on our shelves, and we’d love to introduce our best-sellers ^ ^
A classic Ishikawa Shigyo choice! NAGOMI NEKO and NAGOMI USAGI series!
Certified as Mino Washi Brand items!
The adorable smiling faces of these cat and rabbit families will warm your heart. Phrases like “Here’s a little something” or “Just a small token” make it easy to use these for almost any occasion!
Another Ishikawa Shigyo classic! HANASHIRABE noshi-bukuro
Certified as Mino Washi Brand items!
Featuring vivid seasonal floral designs, these envelopes are sure to catch the eye for any occasion. Comes with a high-quality washi inner envelope.
A fresh style different from our usual Ishikawa Shigyo products!
We’ve expanded our lineup with products from Seeing, another Mino City-based producer of paper items!
Our staff carefully selected each item, now on display in our shop—come take a look!
▼For more details about the Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo, click here♪
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
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Our Hometown: Mino, the heart of Mino Washi
Local Tips on the Best Cherry Blossom Spots, Part 2
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Discover a hidden gem of Mino! This issue’s theme is cherry blossoms!
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This time, we’d like to introduce the enchanting night cherry blossom light-up at Eishoin Temple, located atop a small hill on the outskirts of Mino City.
Before sharing, we spoke with the temple’s priest for some insight.
As the number of local volunteers decreases, coupled with shifting attitudes toward events during and after the pandemic, it’s become increasingly challenging to preserve local culture, traditions, and maintain the environment. By leveraging the inherent community-gathering power of a temple—where people of all ages have historically come together freely—we’re hosting activities to help people learn about local culture and resources. We aim to create more opportunities for all generations to meet and connect, bringing lively conversation back to the area and thereby passing our regional heritage on to the next generation.
With this vision in mind, we’ve continued these events, occasionally changing their form to adapt.
In the past, the cherry blossoms themselves would emit a pale white glow on the mountainside during the season,
but in recent years, there’s been a dedicated light-up, plus a display of award-winning works from the Mino Washi Akari (Illumination) Art Exhibition.
This year’s light-up runs from March 23 (Sun) through April 12 (Sat). During this period, there will be about two events (March 30 (Sun) and April 5 (Sat)) in collaboration with local activity groups. If you can make it, please stop by♪
We welcome you to enjoy cherry blossoms in Mino City this spring!
And while you’re here, don’t miss our hands-on workshop!
Why not capture the day’s memories by creating your own piece of handmade art?
Bring your ideas to life with a flurry of springtime blooms—design your one-of-a-kind work of art and take it home the same day^ ^
Visit us on the business days below♪
▼Latest Shop Info▼
NEW! Shop schedule for March, April, May
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1584.html
【Note】Group reservations are also available outside of the above business days!
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Wow, so many! Visitors from all around the world
have come to experience Ishikawa Shigyo’s workshops.
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As the weather warms up, many people are getting out more.
Here at Ishikawa Shigyo’s experience shop, not only do we welcome domestic visitors, but we’re also seeing an increase in overseas tourists booking our workshops! (Thank you!)
Recently, we’ve had group reservations from Taiwan and Hawaii.
Among our domestic inquiries, we’ve also hosted school field trips and company trips.
Checking the countries of origin of our visitors so far,
we’ve now had guests (both individuals and group tours) from 38 different countries!
North and South America
United States, Brazil, Canada
Asia
Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, Timor-Leste, 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
…and more.
We’re truly grateful for visitors from so many countries.
We’ll continue doing our best to create a shop everyone can enjoy!!
In addition to selling kits, we also offer many souvenirs geared toward inbound travelers, so feel free to drop by.
▼For international student exchanges or visits by those working abroad▼
▼Recommended for inbound travelers in Gifu Prefecture! Enjoy making a Mino washi doll▼
▼Perfect for international students: Hands-on workshop in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture▼
The Mino City Hall’s Mino Washi Promotion Division
is currently conducting surveys on inbound tourism.
They’ve already received feedback from many countries.
We’re collecting overseas visitors’ perspectives
to make Mino City tourism even more appealing. Stay tuned!
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Mino City has so much to offer! Why not drop by for a crafting experience while sightseeing?
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Spring has arrived in full swing!
At Ishikawa Shigyo’s experience shop, more and more group bookings are rolling in.
Recently, we even received an inquiry for a corporate trip with nearly 70 participants!
They plan to split into a craft-workshop group and a Mino City sightseeing group.
At our Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop, up to 45 people can craft together at one time.
For groups larger than 45, we can divide you into smaller groups for hands-on workshops and town exploration, switching halfway through.
Dive in alone for a meditative project or have a blast creating with your friends.
Whether you follow our samples exactly or dream up something totally original, both are great!
Sharing a hands-on crafting experience can make your trip even more unforgettable.
We hope you’ll let us help you create wonderful travel memories.
Check out our blog for reference:
▼Company and employee trip case studies: Mino washi goods handcraft experience▼
▼Perfect for school outings, community trips, off-campus learning▼
▼Ideal for educational institutions! School trips, social studies, traditional industry experiences, field trips▼
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1124.html
Today, to give the sightseeing group some ideas, here are some spots to see around Mino Town.
Check out the link below♪
https://minokanko.com/feature/
Source: Mino City Tourism Association
Our shop, Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo, is also featured in the link above—feel free to explore!
From that link, here are some highlights near Ishikawa Shigyo:
Check out these local must-visit spots in Mino City!
▼Former Imai Residence / Mino Historical Museum (City Cultural Property)
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/history-culture/p5974/
The oldest udatsu-roofed townhouse in Mino City, formerly a country house and washi wholesaler.
▼Mino Washi Akari (Illumination) Art Museum
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/townscape-architecture/p5976/
Showcasing award-winning works from the annual autumn “Mino Washi Akari Art Exhibition” in Mino City.
▼Osaka Family Residence (National Important Cultural Property)
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/townscape-architecture/p5977/
This sake brewery was built in the early An’ei era (1772–1781). Its roof features a “mukuri” curved design, which is a rare and culturally valuable architectural style reminiscent of upper Kansai region design.
Mino City isn’t just about tourist attractions; it proudly has three registrations recognized worldwide:
• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage – Traditional papermaking of Hon Mino Paper (2014)
• Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems – Ayu sweetfish of the Nagara River (2015)
• World Heritage Irrigation Structures – Sodai Canal (2020)
The rich natural environment and the culture that developed here have truly earned international recognition.
▼Check out this link for a Mino City tourist map♪
https://minokanko.com/pamphlet/
After exploring all that Mino City has to offer, why not drop by for a quick crafting break?
At Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo, up to 45 people can craft together in one session.
We look forward to seeing everyone here.
▼For shop reservations or inquiries, click here♪
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
▼Check out our shop’s homepage♪
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
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Ishikawa Shigyo’s Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop
We still have openings for summer vacation reservations!
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It’s sure to be another hot summer this year!
Have you decided on your summer plans yet?
We still have availability at Ishikawa Shigyo’s Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop.
We welcome both large group reservations and individual bookings through our reservation site^ ^
We’d love to give kids a unique experience beyond their everyday school life!
How about creating wonderful summer memories together?
If you’re a PTA officer or coach planning a summer trip for a kids’ club, sports team, or family vacation,
or if you’re a parent thinking, “We’ve got a bit of free time on our family trip…”
Why not cool off indoors and enjoy a hands-on workshop with your group?
This is the perfect chance to share a craft experience with your usual crew that’s totally different from your daily routine!
For a summertime option, we recommend making washi fans!
Our popular washi “Korokoro” kits are also great if you want to spark creativity—perfect for summer vacation projects!
We offer over 30 kinds of craft kits.
Surely your kids’ “I want to make that!” sensor will be triggered by something^ ^
Our staff is happy to give advice,
or feel free to search for craft ideas on your phone to personalize your project.
It’s a wonderful way to watch your children’s creativity flourish and have fun together!
We look forward to seeing you at Ishikawa Shigyo’s Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop.
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Perfect for workshops and event themes! Make it a hit with Ishikawa Shigyo’s kit products!
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If you own a store or venue and want to create memorable experiences beyond just selling goods,
we have the perfect solution!
Our signature “hands-on workshop” from the Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
can be hosted by you as well^ ^
Preparation is simple!
All you need is a place with tables and chairs, plus glue and scissors, and you can start your own workshop.
Our “Washi Korokoro” series is enjoyable any time of year.
You could even make your own zodiac animal figure.
Actually, we have a wide range of seasonal and monthly designs^ ^
Our shop staff picked out the items that sell the best each season^ ^
January: Zodiac figures, Setsubun (Red Oni)
February: Hina Dolls
March: Easter (Rabbit)
April: Samurai dolls for May festival, Koinobori carp streamers
May: Samurai warriors, Princess series
June: Frogs, goldfish
July: Washi fan-making
August: Washi fan-making
September: Halloween
October: Cute animals (sheep, Shiba Inu, cats, etc.)
November: Cute animals (sheep, Shiba Inu, cats, etc.)
December: The 12 zodiac animals, Daruma dolls, Beckoning cats
Additionally, we have an extensive “Lucky & Auspicious” series as well as a “Historical Figures (Samurai & Princesses)” series that’s popular year-round.
Because we can tailor our suggestions to fit every season or theme, these workshops often bring in repeat participants and help energize your events.
We can even develop custom original products for you,
so please feel free to contact our head office at Ishikawa Shigyo if you’re interested.
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Udatsu Townscape Doll Festival and Boys’ Day Festival
Now in progress—join our stamp rally! We’re a participating store!
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Udatsu Townscape Doll Festival
Dates: February 8 (Sun) – April 3 (Wed), 2025
Udatsu Townscape Boys’ Day Festival
Dates: Mid-April–May 5 (Sun), 2025
Stroll through the historic streets and take on the stamp rally challenge!
During the “Udatsu Townscape Doll Festival & Boys’ Day Festival,” you’ll find all sorts of doll displays from different eras throughout the area—it’s quite a sight! See how many you can discover!
There’s also a concurrent stamp rally! (Hosted by Mino City Tourism Association)
We’re a participating store—shop at participating locations to collect stamps.
Once you collect enough stamps, you can enter a Garapon prize draw for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Have fun with it!
▼ For more info on the stamp rally♪
https://minokanko.com/news/event/p9001/
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March, April, and May Instagram Contest
The keyword is #IshikawaShigyoContestSpring2025
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From March, our Instagram Contest “spring2025” is underway!
The keyword is
#IshikawaShigyoContestSpring2025
We look forward to your posts!
Not only crafts made at our workshop, but also
any kit creations you make at home or elsewhere
are welcome entries.
Purchase kits here…
▼Rakuten kit sales site
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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Staff Column: We now have an official title! Mayu “Mino” Diary—thanks for reading ^ ^
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I took over the staff column, and
suddenly started my own “reporting” on the experiences of the “Me-gumi” (Mikoshi group) at the Mino Festival!
I’m sure some of you were looking forward to more updates, but…
Unfortunately, I couldn’t help build the mikoshi this past weekend, so I’ll have to postpone this week’s story until next time.
For now, let me share the news that we decided on a title for this staff column♪
Truth be told, I was a bit stuck when it came to naming this column.
I considered not naming it at all and quietly continuing—but
our president wouldn’t let that slide!
He suggested some ideas:
“Why don’t you give your column a proper name?
For example: Sato’s Editor’s Note,
Mayumi’s Column,
Mayumi’s Mino Mail,
Mayumi Mino Update—‘Mayu ‘Mino’ Tsuushin’”
Back then, there were two people with the surname Sato in our office, so I was usually called by my first name.
Wow, what a word-association game!
I never expected to turn my name into part of the column title!
Plus, he wrapped my wish to write about my life in Mino into it so naturally!
I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw his suggestions^ ^
Later, I changed “Tsuushin” (newsletter) to “Diary” because I wasn’t sure I’d have enough content to call it a “newsletter,” and thus the final name was born!
It was such a fun experience, and I’m grateful^ ^
Maybe it’s the springtime vibe, but a lot has been happening around me lately—still, “fun” is the best way to live^ ^
I hope you continue to enjoy reading this column^ ^
For inquiries about our e-newsletter, please visit▼
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
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Experience hands-on Mino Washi crafts
in the charming Edo-era townscape
Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop
Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
〒501-3728
1909-3 Honjyu-cho, Mino City, Gifu Prefecture
Shop Manager: Sato
TEL: 0575-29-3680
FAX: 0575-35-1363
Mobile: 090-5851-4673 (Sato)
Email: shigyo@jt7.so-net.ne.jp
HP: http://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/
Please feel free to contact us anytime♪
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Our Media Features!
Thank you for all your positive feedback!
We hope you’ll pay us a visit soon♪
▼“Tetsuro Degawa’s Let Me Charge My Battery?” TV Show
Filmed in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture, featuring the Washi Doll-Making Workshop at Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo with Kumada Yoko
https://youtu.be/S8nqVqxGoiI
▼NHK “Marutto! Gifu” broadcast featuring Mino Washi Fan-Making
Mino Washi Goods Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo, Mino City, Gifu Prefecture Tourism in the Historic Udatsu Townscape (video)
https://youtu.be/Pn995x3oX9Q
Gifu Chan TV “Meccha Gifu Wakaru Terebi” ▼
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKiDL8-xf_w
▼The Home of Mino Washi: Mino City, Gifu Prefecture – Mino City Tourism Association
Our shop is featured under “Experiences” → “Mino Washi.”
https://www.minokanko.com/index.php.
▼Our Mino Washi Kabuto (Samurai Helmet) decoration was introduced in the “Clear Waters of Gifu News Letter,” a press release from the Tourism Resource Utilization Section of Gifu Prefecture.
Listed as a “New Shape of Mino Washi.”
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000017.000143336.html
【石川紙業 会社概要】
OEM制作、オリジナル製作。手染め美濃和紙、千代紙、手作りキット、和紙人形、干支迎春飾り、十二支飾り、雛人形、おひなさま、五月人形、かぶと飾り、こいのぼり飾り、玄関飾り、季節飾り、季節商品、和紙ころころ、ちりめん人形、和紙張子、こけし、インバウンド向け商品、海外土産、日本土産、和文具、ポチ袋、のし袋、しおり、メモ帳、折り紙、ﾀﾞｲｱﾘｰ、筆箱、はがき箱、御朱印帳、和傘、扇子、うちわ、扇子入れ、和紙フォトフレーム、名刺入れ、カードケース、和紙アクセサリ（ピアス、ブローチ、ヘアゴム）、和紙マグネット（はさめるマグネット）、手ぬぐい、和柄タオル、懐紙、あぶらとり紙、和紙コースター、ちぎり絵、はがき掛け、タペストリー、根付、楊枝入、耳かき、日本玩具、郷土玩具、毎年1200種類の手作り和雑貨、和紙雑貨を、国内外の各業界のメーカー、問屋、小売店に製造卸。