Japan Group Tours 2025: Japanese Traditional Culture : Mino Washi Paper Produts Workshop & Historic Japan Gifu Itinerary:Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop
2025.05.02Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo
Shop E-Newsletter No. 245
The “Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop Ishikawa Shigyo” is
a designated heritage property inside the nationally selected Important Preservation District of Historic Buildings, famous for its datsu merchant rooftops.
Housed in an Edo-period building from 1760, crowned with an original datsu,
you can enjoy a hands-on Mino washi craft workshop together with everyone!
Solo travelers, couples, friends, families and incentive or study-abroad groups—
we can host seated workshops for coach groups of up to 45 guests.
Choose from creative menus such as …
washi Korokoro dolls, washi handheld fans, washi earrings, washi plates, washi pen-stands, washi bookmarks and more.
Follow the sample or let your creativity lead you—
craft a one-of-a-kind Japanese souvenir to wow your clients!
Over 30 DIY kits always in stock.
Check our opening calendar and drop in—we look forward to welcoming your Japan group tour.
Shop opening days for May / June / July / August ▼
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1584.html
*Group bookings can be arranged even on non-listed days—just ask!
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▼Official site▼
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/
The hills have shifted from cherry-blossom pink to fresh-green and wisteria purple.
With warm and cool days alternating, please stay hydrated and healthy.
Together we’ll breeze through spring travel season!
Today’s hot topics
• Workshop menu spotlight—traditional bamboo Uchiwa fans
• Real-time workshop report from an inbound group
• =Customer Gallery= creative pieces made by visitors
• Local Mino City report—torn-paper art at the Mino Washi Museum
• Looking for flexible workshops for large groups? Our Mino Washi studio is group-friendly and highly rated
• Teachers—add authentic culture to your study tours / field trips; let us help craft memorable class excursions
• Special-needs schools & accessibility programs—ask about our inclusive service packages
• Guests from across the globe have already enjoyed our craft activity—join the worldwide trend!
• Discover Mino City—river play on the crystal-clear Nagara River, plus insider sightseeing tips
• March-May Instagram contest #IshikawaShigyoContestSpring2025
• Mino Tourism Association stamp rally now on—our shop is a partner location
• Mayumi’s “Mino Diary”—writing while my daughter practises piano♪
Our mission is to fill your Japan itinerary with smiles through authentic washi craft time—join us on this creative adventure!
Thanks for reading, and happy planning for your next Japan group vacation.
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Workshop menu spotlight: make your own Uchiwa fan
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A must-have item for Japan’s hot, humid summers,
the uchiwa fan has long been beloved by locals.
One gentle swipe creates a personal breeze that cools the skin without over-chilling the body.
Our workshop uses flexible bamboo ribs; the soft airflow is perfect after sightseeing.
Why not craft your own at our Mino Washi studio?
Materials include:
• Bamboo-frame fan
• Exclusive Mino Washi sheets hand-dyed in Kyoto’s yuzen style
Simply cut, paste and design to create your bespoke fan in minutes!
Fee: one side ¥1,100 (tax in) / both sides ¥1,320
Drop in and try—ideal for experiential travel and incentive tours.
Groups under 10 may come without reservation during open days.
▼Opening calendar
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1584.html
▼Contact us
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
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For tour operators—here’s how a typical group visit unfolds
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Thank you to the many corporate and educational groups who choose us!
Here’s our seamless flow for charter coaches:
After exiting the Mino interchange, the guide calls our pre-arranged mobile. Our English-speaking staff greet your coach at the parking lot.
Guests are advised to use rest-rooms at the lot first, saving workshop time (only one restroom inside).
During the short stroll to our studio, we introduce the picturesque datsu townscape and Mino’s papermaking heritage.
Yes—our building also features a historic datsu.
It’s a certified historic structure dating to 1760, lovingly renovated for visitors.
Inside you’ll find 600+ Mino Washi gifts by Ishikawa Shigyo,
and group participants enjoy 10 % off purchases over ¥1,000 on the day.
Now it’s time for the flagship “washi Korokoro” doll workshop!
Each kit includes illustrated instructions,
but we first highlight three key points to avoid crooked dolls:
• Confirm top and bottom of the body
• Attach ears, eyes and helmet correctly
• Fix face position before gluing
Our staff will check these together with your guests.
Then let imagination fly—
decorate with flowers, clothing, hats and more.
Our facilitators provide creative tips for every skill level.
Finish with photos at our styling corner—
using screens and tiered stands for Instagram-worthy shots!
Afterwards enjoy tax-free shopping on 600 artisanal items—
remember, group guests get 10 % off over ¥1,000.
We close with a commemorative group photo—lasting memories guaranteed.
Come and create with us at the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop!
▼Official Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop site
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Shop opening-day information
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1584.html
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=Customer Gallery= Here are some inspiring pieces created during our hands-on workshops♪
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Today’s pick from our archives ^^
Roll up handmade washi into a wand, add a sparkling tip, and voilà — a lucky beckoning cat ready to draw even more good fortune!
Your Maneki-neko brand-mascot, now with a stylish stick, will charm visitors and boost souvenir sales^^
Feel free to customise your own masterpiece and share the creativity on social media!
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Our Town Mino – Field Report ♪ We tried paper-torn collage at the Mino Washi Museum^^
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The 2025 National Torn-Washi Art Exhibition was held at the Mino Washi Home Craft Hall — a must-see cultural experience for Japan group tours!
Fifty-nine artists from nationwide collage associations and local creators exhibited their delicate washi paintings, perfect for educational travel itineraries.
Torn-paper art (chigiri-e) combines ripping, cutting, peeling and pasting sheets of dyed washi to achieve subtle colour gradations and stunning texture.
The highlight for me was…!
A special chigiri-e workshop led by instructors from the “Mino Washi Chigiri-e Circle” was available on these dates:
Hands-on paper-art class — ideal for incentive travel groups^^
After choosing a collage set, I noticed a brush and water instead of glue.
Water? Will the fibres stick?
The brush and water were actually for tearing the washi cleanly.
Moisten the outline, tear gently, and the natural fibres create that authentic fuzzy edge — a signature look of Japanese collage.
I’d only ever forced the paper before, so this traditional technique amazed me ^^
The workshop also provided hand-dyed sheets prepared by the instructor.
Selecting gradients — darker tones near the flower base, lighter toward the tips — we created depth and vibrancy.
For bright white, we even used raw kōzo fibres before they become paper, capturing the fuzzy centre of each blossom.
With our kind instructor, we crafted a beautiful keepsake suitable for high-end cultural tour guests^^
Besides special exhibitions, the museum offers authentic papermaking experiences using 100 % kōzo and the very tools local artisans use.
Multiple courses cater to tight tour timetables, letting travellers craft premium washi to take home.
A curated selection of Ishikawa Shigyo souvenirs is also available in the museum shop — perfect for inbound gift hunting.
Add this venue to your Gifu heritage tour packages and luxury Japan itineraries ^^
▼For details on the Mino Washi Home Craft Hall
https://www.city.mino.gifu.jp/minogami/
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Attention tour planners & group-travel coordinators! Our high-flexibility workshops guarantee satisfied guests. Let us introduce the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop!
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For elementary, junior-high, and high schools, kids clubs, family tours, PTA trips, corporate incentive travel, team-building retreats, senior clubs, NGOs, volunteer groups, cultural immersion tours and more.
If you are a decision-maker, planner, coordinator or concierge seeking memorable hands-on activities, read on!
Give children a learning experience beyond classroom walls!
Create shared memories through fun craft time for everyone!
Yes! Choose the Ishikawa Shigyo Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop for your next Japan group tour.
Your guests will treasure the creative moments they make here ^^
Plenty of time-slots are still open!
We welcome both large group reservations and individual bookings made through our online system ^ ^
Our signature “Washi Korokoro” figures and more than 30 other hands-on kits let anyone craft an original souvenir with ease and creative freedom.
“Is that really all the instructions?”
“Wow, so much freedom?”
We hear these questions often. We explain the three key points you mustn’t miss, then invite guests to follow the step-by-step sheet and create whatever their imagination suggests.
Need a hand? Our bilingual staff are happy to help — ideal for overseas coach tours and school exchange programs.
Beat Japan’s summer heat in our air-conditioned Edo-period townhouse while the whole team enjoys cultural crafting together.
Choose from 30 + workshop kits — perfect for children’s curiosity and corporate team building alike.
Pinterest ideas, TikTok DIYs… bring any reference and turn it into a unique work of art.
Ready to share and compare everyone’s creations? Add the Ishikawa Shigyo Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop to your Gifu group tour!
▼Official workshop page (EN auto-translate)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Washi Korokoro catalogue (PDF)
www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/00/82/82_1_file.pdf
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/87/287_1_file.png
▼Washi earrings & pierce DIY kit guidelines
www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/84/284_1_file.pdf
DIY menu: Washi plate, pen-stand, bookmark, earrings, more
www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/01/23/123_1_file.pdf
▼Family-set workshop menu (3 kits)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/09/209_1_file.jpg
▼Samurai Washi Korokoro craft series
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/69/269_1_file.jpg
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For teachers: add culture-rich crafts to field trips and study tours — we can help design the perfect lesson plan!
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Our workshop accommodates up to 45 students at once; larger groups can rotate between crafting and strolling the historic Udatsu Street.
Download tourism maps and heritage highlights from the Mino Tourism Association:
https://minokanko.com/feature/
https://minokanko.com/pamphlet/
Three UNESCO-related assets in one small city:
• Intangible Heritage (2014) — Hon-Mino handmade paper
• Globally Important Agricultural Heritage (2015) — Ayu of the pristine Nagara River
• World Irrigation Heritage (2020) — Sogai canal network
Design educational Japan trips that blend nature, craftsmanship and living heritage.
▼Group enquiries & bookings (EN auto-translate)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
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For special-needs schools and disability-support groups: new inclusive service plan
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Teachers and caregivers, we now offer extra assistance for guests who use accessibility services.
Benefits for “Special-Needs School” or “Disability ID” groups:
- One free ¥300 capsule-toy spin per participant
- Shopping practice: 40 % discount on retail items (workshop fee excluded)
Our craft menus—Washi Korokoro, paper fan, bookmark, plate, pen-stand—use pre-cut shapes that simply glue into place, so every guest creates a beautiful keepsake with confidence.
Plan a stress-free, barrier-free Japan study tour or incentive trip and add “inclusive cultural workshop” to your itinerary!
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International popularity—38 countries and counting!
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Recent group booking: incentive travellers from Taiwan. Our guestbook now lists visitors from 38 nations across North & South America, Europe, Oceania and Asia—proof that the workshop resonates with global travellers seeking hands-on Japanese culture.
Travel-trade professionals: add this proven crowd-pleaser to your escorted Japan tours, FIT packages and MICE programmes.
▼Cultural-exchange case study (EN auto-translate)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_672_0_0.html
━ ━ ━ Workshop kits for hotels, cafés, cruise ships, community events ━ ━ ━
Offer unforgettable “make-your-own” memories anywhere—just tables, chairs, glue & scissors required.
Our year-round best-seller “Washi Korokoro” plus seasonal lines (New-Year zodiac, samurai & princess dolls, Easter bunnies, Halloween, Christmas daruma) boost repeat traffic and souvenir sales.
Ask about OEM private-label kits to match your destination branding or theme cruise programme.
▼Wholesale / bulk enquiries (EN auto-translate)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
▼Online kit store (Rakuten)
https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/手作りキット/?sid=391090
━ Instagram Contest Mar-Apr-May — hashtag #IshikawaShigyoContestSpring2025 ━
Post any creation, past or present, tag us and win curated Mino washi gifts—perfect content marketing for travel influencers and DMC partners.
━ Mino Tourism Stamp-Rally now on! Collect stamps, win prizes, drive foot traffic ━
Details: https://minokanko.com/news/event/p9001/ (Ends 5 May 2025)
━ Mayu’s Mino Diary: family moments with piano practice ━
(Feel free to translate this heart-warming blog for your newsletter or tour microsite.)
○●○ Edo-era streetscape × hands-on washi crafts ○●○
Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop
1909-3 Honjyu-machi, Mino-shi, Gifu 501-3728 JAPAN
Tel 0575-29-3680 Fax 0575-35-1363 Mobile 090-5851-4673 (English OK)
E-mail shigyo@jt7.so-net.ne.jp
HP : http://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/
We are happy to support DMC quotations, series departures and student-tour curricula.
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Media highlights: TV Tokyo, NHK, regional broadcasters — see why travel shows love our workshop!
TV Tokyo “Can I Charge My Battery?” segment — Washi doll crafting
NHK Gifu “Marutto!” — Washi uchiwa making on Udatsu Street
Gifu Channel “Meccha Gifu Wakaru TV” feature