Warm Your Heart in Mino City, Gifu | Hands-On Mino Washi Doll-Making Experience in Japan | 2025.11.18
2025.11.21Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop – Ishikawa Paper Goods
Shop Newsletter No. 271
Recommended for Mino City sightseeing in Gifu, Japan! Warm your hands and heart with a cozy Mino Washi handmade workshop – enjoy a relaxing Japanese paper craft experience in Mino!
Thank you for visiting the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop, Ishikawa Paper Goods!
As of November 18, 2025 – Google Reviews ★4.9 with 895 reviews and counting!
At the “Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop Ishikawa Paper Goods,”
our handmade experiences let you enjoy traditional Japanese culture with all five senses.
While discovering the beauty and history of Mino Washi paper, you can create one-of-a-kind dolls and accessories found nowhere else in the world.
You can feel the soft texture of washi, enjoy choosing colors and patterns, and have fun shaping your own ideas – a hands-on Japanese cultural experience that stimulates all five senses♪
We are located right in the heart of Mino’s historic town!
Our shop stands in the Udatsu-no-agaru old townscape, in a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Inside this Edo-period building, constructed in 1760 and featuring a traditional “udatsu” firewall, everyone can enjoy making Mino Washi crafts together.
From solo travelers to groups of up to 45 guests (about one sightseeing bus), everyone can join a workshop at the same time.
(For reservations of more than 45 guests, we recommend splitting into a Mino City walking & shopping group and a craft experience group for a smoother Japan group tour schedule!)
Couples, friends, families, group tours, company trips, incentive tours and more♪
Any kind of group can share a fun and memorable time together!
Our workshop menu includes:
Washi Korokoro paper dolls, washi fans, washi earrings, washi pierce-style earrings, washi plates, washi pen stands, washi bookmarks and much more – perfect for Japan travel souvenirs and cultural experiences.
You can follow the sample design,
trust your own instincts,
or create a design inspired by your favorite character.
Let’s make your very own, truly original, one-of-a-kind souvenir!
There are more than 30 different DIY kits to choose from, so you’re sure to find a favorite.
Please check our shop opening schedule and come visit us – we look forward to welcoming you!
▼ Shop Opening Days for November, December & January ▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1855.html
[Note] Please feel free to consult us! Group reservations are available even outside the above opening days – ideal for travel agencies planning Japan group tours and school trips.
▼ Official Website ▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼ Rakuten Online Store ▼
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/ishikawa-shigyo/
Every small moment in daily life can be a “manpuku” – a moment of happiness and abundance♪
At the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop of Ishikawa Paper Goods, we help create those happy smiles every day.
Now then, let’s begin today’s Experience Shop Newsletter＾＾
◆ Today’s Topics ◆
・Group visit report – used as a training trip for wives of temple priests.
・News for everyone – our shop is now filled with zodiac “Eto” New Year products!
・Group workshop guide – high-freedom, highly satisfying Mino Washi craft experience for all ages.
・Travel tip for Mino City sightseeing – our Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop is easy to access and ideal for tour itineraries.
・Our hometown Mino – introducing the beautiful autumn leaves at Sukeemon’s place.
・Ishikawa Paper Goods’ “World & Japan Map Project” – please put a sticker on your home country and region^^
・Information for guests with disabilities – introducing our services so everyone can enjoy the experience with peace of mind.
・About Ishikawa Paper Goods – introducing our popular OEM “Washi Korokoro” products for tourism and museum shops.
・Customer gallery – showcasing actual works created by our guests during the workshop♪
・Mayu “Mino” Diary – a “hint of happiness” I found at an electronics store.
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
Group visit report – used as a training trip for wives of temple priests.
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
Today’s group consisted of eight wives of temple priests.
From the moment I first spoke with the representative when making the reservation, I was struck by her gentle manner and had been looking forward to meeting everyone in person.
When they actually arrived, the group was wrapped in a warm, considerate atmosphere,
and it felt like the upcoming experience would be even more enjoyable thanks to their kindness and calm energy.
For this visit, they chose the Washi Korokoro doll and washi paper plate workshops.
Both options are the same price, so each person can freely choose the one they prefer,
and in the relaxed atmosphere we heard gentle comments like “Yours is lovely too,” as quiet conversations flowed peacefully.
Those making paper plates carefully discussed the layout of the cut-paper decorations with our staff,
and their thoughtful approach to composition was very impressive.
Gold washi especially makes a piece instantly more festive, so referring to the staff’s advice,
they chose the perfect “this is it” gold pattern from several options and finished their works in their own style.
On the other side, those making Washi Korokoro dolls
were a little puzzled at times by the challenge of attaching flat washi for the face onto a round ball shape.
On one piece that we helped adjust,
wrinkles had appeared in a spot that looked like “smile lines,”
so while saying, “Let’s smooth out these wrinkles nicely,”
we slowly and carefully fixed them with tweezers.
Because Mino Washi is both supple and strong, it always responds if you handle it gently.
The three key tips for minimizing wrinkles are:
・Cut the facial washi slightly smaller,
・Apply plenty of glue, and
・After attaching, stretch the paper slowly and gently.
We proceeded step by step while checking these points together.
During the decorating time,
we introduced how to make three-dimensional flowers and how to attach kimono parts,
and we heard soft voices all around saying “How lovely” and “I see,”
as a quiet yet unmistakable sense of enjoyment spread through the room.
Some guests also chose optional folding screens and black bases,
adding an extra feeling of “specialness” to their finished pieces.
Even when using the same materials, the finished works are truly diverse.
Each piece reflected the personality of its creator and turned into a beautiful work of art.
(We enjoyed the conversations so much that we forgot to take photos…)
It is a time to slowly shape “what you love” in your own way.
And you can take your completed work home with you as a unique Japanese souvenir.
Especially at this time of year, our **Year of the Horse zodiac (uma)** themed experience is very popular,
as guests create decorations to display for the New Year.
We hope you will enjoy a relaxing moment with washi paper during your training trip or group tour in Japan,
letting your heart gently unwind.
▼ For inquiries about Ishikawa Paper Goods products, please click here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
News for everyone ^^ Our shop is now filled with zodiac “Eto” New Year products from Ishikawa Paper Goods!
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
The date is finally set for when Ishikawa Paper Goods’ zodiac products will line the shelves of the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop!
In-store sales start from September 20＾＾
This year’s lineup features 8 categories that will charm visitors from Japan and overseas＾＾
◆ Hand-papered washi ceramic dolls ◆ Extra-large beckoning cat appears for the first time!
◆ Chirimen fabric items ◆ Hanging decorations, chirimen dolls, charms, kagami-mochi, Seven Lucky Gods
◆ Washi dolls ◆ Mobiles, Washi Korokoro dolls, Washi Korokoro sets, DIY craft kits
◆ Ceramic dolls ◆ Ceramic omikuji fortunes, ceramic dolls, kagami-mochi
◆ Papier-mâché ◆ Zodiac horse, lucky charms
◆ Kaishi paper ◆ Zodiac kaishi paper
◆ Tenugui towels ◆ Zodiac tenugui
◆ Japanese stationery ◆ Year of the Horse otoshidama gift envelopes, ceremonial envelopes, small gift envelopes
Our workshop kits now include zodiac-themed items too!
In addition, inspired by next year’s zodiac, the horse, a white horse has joined our lineup of in-shop experience kits!
We are preparing everything so that you can be among the first to enjoy this new experience at our shop.
Why not come and make an adorable white horse of your own?
[2026 Zodiac Year of the Horse New Year Catalog] is here ↓↓
www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/36/336_1_file.pdf
Display a Year of the Horse (uma) zodiac ornament and let the lively power of the horse drive your luck and fortune forward!
A zodiac horse that helps everything in your daily life go “well” – just like the Japanese wordplay “uma-ku.”
A Year of the Horse ornament is an auspicious lucky charm that supports progress and great leaps forward,
and is believed to bring business prosperity, health and longevity, and harmony in the family.
It is perfect for anyone who wants to start the New Year full of positive energy.
Come and meet the lucky horse that brings good fortune and vibrant “horse power” into your life.
▼ Click here for the Ishikawa Paper Goods Craft Experience Shop website♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
Group workshop guide – highly flexible and very satisfying♪ Welcome to the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop!
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
Elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, children’s groups, family trips, PTA parent–child trips, company outings, corporate training programs, sports clubs, senior clubs, NPOs and volunteer groups, cultural experience tours and more…
To organizers, travel agents, tour planners, coordinators, concierges and those in charge who are looking for the perfect activity for your group!
“We want the children to experience something they can’t do in everyday school life.”
“We want everyone to create fun memories together as part of their Japan trip.”
Yes! In those cases, please consider the Ishikawa Paper Goods Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop for your Japan group tour program^^
With a one-of-a-kind craft experience, your guests can take home both handmade souvenirs and unforgettable memories.
We still have availability for reservations!
We warmly welcome both group reservations and individual bookings made through online reservation sites.
Our workshops are very flexible, and with simple instructions anyone can enjoy making crafts at their own pace.
Many guests are surprised and ask, “Is it really okay to be this free?” – but don’t worry! Our staff will firmly support you with all the key points^^
Our year-round “Washi Korokoro” series not only features zodiac animals, but also has a rich lineup that matches monthly events and seasonal Japanese festivals.
◆ Lineup of Washi Korokoro dolls you can enjoy when you visit our shop
[Animal & good-luck motifs]
Goldfish, frog, beckoning cat (maneki-neko), owl, kitten
[Zodiac 1]
Snake (Year of the Snake), dragon (Year of the Dragon), rat (Year of the Rat), ox (Year of the Ox), tiger (Year of the Tiger), rabbit (Year of the Rabbit)
[Zodiac 2]
Boar (Year of the Boar), dog (Year of the Dog), horse (Year of the Horse), sheep (Year of the Sheep), monkey (Year of the Monkey), rooster (Year of the Rooster)
[Folktale & good-luck characters]
Daruma, lion dance, ninja, red ogre, white horse (zodiac horse motif),
[Samurai warlord series]
Akechi Mitsuhide, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Otani Yoshitsugu, Young Tokugawa Ieyasu, Kicho (Nohime)
[Seasonal & festival motifs]
Blue carp streamer, red carp streamer, samurai helmet, child with carp streamer, two carp streamers, child with three carp streamers, Hina dolls (Girls’ Day dolls)
[Shop-exclusive items]
Jack-o’-lantern, swordsman, scale-pattern warrior, princess, and maybe even more surprise items waiting for you!
With more than 30 different DIY kits always available, you are sure to find a project you’ll think “I really want to make this!”
You might even encounter a special Washi Korokoro that you can only make here in Mino, Japan.
You are welcome to look up craft ideas on your smartphone and arrange them in your own style. Why not spend time creating together, showing each other your work, and sharing lots of smiles?
We warmly invite you to visit the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop of Ishikawa Paper Goods♪
▼ Click here for the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop website♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼ Washi Korokoro
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-style earrings DIY kit sales – tool rental guidelines
www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/84/284_1_file.pdf
▼ DIY experience menu – “Washi plate,” “Washi pen stand,” “Washi bookmark,” “Washi earrings,” “Washi pierce-style earrings”
www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/01/23/123_1_file.pdf
▼ DIY experience menu – three types of family sets
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/09/209_1_file.jpg
▼ DIY experience menu – Washi Korokoro Samurai Warlord series
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/69/269_1_file.jpg
For inquiries about information in this newsletter, please contact us here▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
Recommended for Mino City sightseeing! Our Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop is easy to access and ideal for tour itineraries♪
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
To tour planners at travel agencies who are organizing escorted group tours and package tours to Japan.
The Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop, Ishikawa Paper Goods, is located along the sightseeing route from Nagoya toward Takayama and Kamikochi, making it an ideal rest stop and activity site for bus tours.
“We use the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway, but driving directly to the final destination means a long time on the bus.”
For travel agencies with this kind of concern,
our Mino Washi craft experience is strongly recommended as part of a hub-style circular route that links Nagoya, Gujo Hachiman, Shirakawa-go and Takayama – about one hour by expressway from Nagoya to Mino IC.
We would be delighted if you would include our hands-on Mino Washi workshop as one option in your Central Japan tour plans.
If you are looking for an activity of around 1.5 hours including travel time, the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture, is an excellent choice.
[Recommended points]
1. Excellent location: 5 minutes from the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway Mino IC exit (about 5 minutes on foot from the parking area)
2. Workshop time is about 1 hour – about 1.5 hours total including travel from the parking area
3. Guests can take their finished works home with them as Japan travel souvenirs
4. In-store shopping: 10% OFF on purchases of 1,000 yen or more
5. For group guests, we offer an R10 rebate (10% commission) back to the travel agency
6. High degree of freedom – guests can create highly original, one-of-a-kind works
7. Located in the heart of Mino City’s historic “Udatsu-no-agaru” old townscape
8. Authentic hands-on experience using “Mino Washi,” a traditional craft of Gifu Prefecture
9. Excellent reputation – Google Reviews rating ★4.9 (887 reviews as of September 2025)
10. Free Wi-Fi available
[Access information]
From Nagoya: Nagoya Loop IC (Nagoya Expressway)→ Ichinomiya JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC Approx. 67 km, about 1 hour
From Takayama: Takayama-Nishi IC (Chubu Jukan Expressway)→ Hida-Kiyomi IC → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC Approx. 100 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes
From Shirakawa-go: Shirakawa-go IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway)→ Mino IC Approx. 110 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes
From Gujo Hachiman: Gujo Hachiman IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway)→ Mino IC Approx. 28 km, about 17 minutes
From Chubu Centrair International Airport: Centrair-Higashi IC (Chita Odan Road)→ Nagoya Expressway / Me-Ni-Wan (Nagoya Daini Kanjo)→ Ichinomiya JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC Approx. 95 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes
From Toki Premium Outlets: Toki IC (Chuo Expressway)→ Toki JCT → Tokai-Kanjo Expressway → Mino-Seki JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC Approx. 39 km, about 30 minutes
*Please note that we do not have our own parking lot. Please use the municipal parking lots (shuttle service to the shop is available).
Our Ishikawa Paper Goods workshops are highly rated by both domestic and international guests as fun events for “learning about Japanese culture.”
We sincerely hope you will add a Mino Washi craft experience as one option in your company’s Japan tour itineraries.
▼ Experience Shop website
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼ Mino City parking map
Front: https://minokanko.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/30ddbcbb17e8592a50b2d0c9fcab3229.pdf
Back: https://minokanko.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/90c3049d7dadf0b1aa05f315a3aacf68.pdf
▼ Mino City access information
https://minokanko.com/access/
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
Our hometown Mino City! Autumn in Mino colored by the beautiful maple leaves at Mr. Sukeemon’s place
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
The famous “Sukeemon’s Maple Trees” in the Nagase district of Mino City have once again entered the season when their autumn leaves turn beautifully vivid.
These maple trees stand along the Itadori River. It is said that a paper wholesaler named Sukeemon Takei planted saplings he brought back from Arashiyama in Kyoto during the Meiji era.
For roughly 150 years since then, this iconic autumn foliage scenery of Mino has been lovingly protected by local residents.
Around 30 maple trees planted along the river are reflected on the water’s surface, offering a striking contrast between the clear autumn sky and colorful leaves by day, and a magical illuminated landscape by night.
This year, the illumination period runs from Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, November 30.
The lights are on from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
On Saturday, November 15, events will also be held from the afternoon.
Please come and enjoy these beautiful maple trees, whose appearance changes between the bright daytime and the evening illumination.
Access: approximately 20 minutes by car from the Mino IC.
There is also a free parking area, making it convenient for self-drive sightseeing in Gifu, Japan.
After enjoying the autumn leaves, we also invite you to stop by
the “Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop Ishikawa Paper Goods,” located in the heart of the historic Udatsu-no-agaru townscape.
You’ll find handmade Mino Washi accessories, seasonal zodiac ornaments and many new autumn–winter items perfect for Japanese souvenirs.
We hope you will feel the charm of autumn in Mino through both the autumn foliage and the warm texture of washi paper.
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
Ishikawa Paper Goods’ “World & Japan Map Project” – please place a sticker on your home region^^
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
Mino Washi, a proud cultural asset of Mino City and a traditional Japanese paper registered by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Founded 123 years ago, Ishikawa Paper Goods hopes people all over the world will learn about and enjoy the traditions and beauty of Mino Washi.
With that wish in mind, we have launched a very special project!
Its name is…
“YOU – Why did you come to Ishikawa Paper Goods for Washi?” Campaign!
Ishikawa Paper Goods is located right in the center of Mino City’s historic Udatsu-no-agaru townscape.
Our shop is a designated building within the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings,
housed in a traditional Edo-period home built in 1760 that has been carefully renovated to welcome visitors from Japan and abroad.
Inside the shop we display a world map and a map of Japan where visitors can place a sticker on their home country or prefecture.
As the number of stickers grows, you can see at a glance just how far Ishikawa Paper Goods’ Mino Washi experiences have spread around the globe.
Watching the maps gradually fill up with colorful stickers is exciting for both staff and guests.
◆ World Map Project ◆
So far, guests from 41 countries (individuals and groups) have visited us!
However, there are 193 United Nations member states – our journey is still far from over.
For guests visiting from a country for the very first time…
・We present a Mino Washi accessory as a gift.
・Please place a sticker on your home region on the map^^
Which country will be the next to add color to our map? Please tell our staff where you are from!
◆ Japan Map Project ◆
Among guests who enjoy our Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop,
which of Japan’s 47 prefectures do they visit from the most?
From nearby? Or from far away?
Place a sticker on your home prefecture to add color to the map of Japan!
*At the moment, the stickers placed by guests have piled up like little mountains^^
The more stickers appear on the maps, the more we feel the connection between Ishikawa Paper Goods and our guests.
It is a fun “participatory project” for visitors from around Japan and the world.
If you have not visited us yet, we would be delighted if you would come by.
When you come to Mino City, please enjoy a Mino Washi craft experience as a special memory of your trip to Japan^^
Your one sticker on the map will be the very first step in a new story.
All of our staff are very much looking forward to welcoming you!
*Below is a list of countries that have visited our shop so far.
North & South America
United States, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela
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
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Russia, Netherlands
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand
Africa
Republic of South Africa
▼ Click here for the Ishikawa Paper Goods Craft Experience Shop website♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
Information for guests with disabilities – introducing our services so everyone can enjoy the experience with peace of mind.
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
At our shop, we have started offering the following support services
for groups from special-needs schools
and for groups from facilities for people with disabilities.
For “groups from special-needs schools” and “groups including guests with disability certificates” – group-only offers:
For group visits including students from special-needs schools or guests with disability certificates,
we offer one free try per person at our 300-yen capsule toy machine.
For shopping practice, products are 40% off the purchase price (craft workshops are not included).
Our craft menu does not include difficult steps, so anyone can easily create beautiful works.
(Washi Korokoro, fans, bookmarks, washi plates, pen stands)
use pre-cut paper shapes that you simply glue in place…
and before you know it, you’ll have created your very own original piece^ ^
You can fully express your own creativity, or follow the sample – either way is fine.
Choose your paper, apply glue, and stick it on.
By repeating these simple steps, why not try making a wonderful work of art?
To staff at special-needs schools,
after-school day service providers,
and those in charge of planning trips for facilities,
we warmly invite you to make use of our services!
▼ For inquiries about the Ishikawa Paper Goods Craft Experience Shop, please click here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
Introducing Ishikawa Paper Goods – showcasing our popular OEM “Washi Korokoro” custom products!
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
Ishikawa Paper Goods is involved in a wide range of activities: sales of washi accessories and related products, hands-on experience programs, and the development of original items and OEM products.
Drawing on 123 years of craftsmanship and experience, we carefully support you in creating products that bring your company’s ideals to life.
Here are some examples of past original and OEM products.
◆ The beloved mascot “Tsubakuro” of the popular professional baseball team Tokyo Yakult Swallows has become a Washi Korokoro doll!
Tsubakuro, the team mascot adored by Swallows fans,
is now one of the most popular characters in Japanese professional baseball,
known for his humorous expressions and slightly mischievous gestures.
This symbolic character of the team has now been turned into our Washi Korokoro doll!
Just looking at it will make you feel happy.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1870.html
◆ A character every Gifu local knows – the FC Gifu mascot character has become a Washi Korokoro doll!
FC Gifu is a professional soccer club based in Gifu Prefecture.
Its official mascot character “Giffy” has been transformed into a traditional “Washi Korokoro” doll made with Mino Washi paper.
This collaboration brings together a club that loves its hometown and the craftsmanship that inherits the traditions of Mino – resulting in the birth of an adorable, wobbling Giffy doll.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1876.html
◆ Another character every Gifu local knows – Gifu Bus has become a Washi Korokoro doll!
You can enjoy it as a finished product or as a DIY craft kit.
What’s more, the instruction sheet is available both in standard Japanese and in the local Gifu dialect!
Gifu Bus (Gifu Noriai Jidosha Co., Ltd.),
which operates local and charter buses centered on Gifu City,
commissioned us to create this item as a special Washi Korokoro collaboration.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1874.html *DIY craft kit
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1875.html *Finished product
◆ JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) “SLIM” (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) has become a Washi Korokoro doll!
Our Washi Korokoro dolls are designed as good-luck “okiagari koboshi” roly-poly charms that stand up again and again, symbolizing the Japanese saying “nanakorobi yaoki” – fall seven times, stand up eight.
We were honored to receive a request saying, “We would like to express SLIM’s lunar landing as a roly-poly doll,” and that is how the SLIM Washi Korokoro project was realized at our company^^
*From the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) website
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1802.html
◆ A beloved national anime character has become a Washi Korokoro doll!
The much-loved family anime character “Chibi Maruko-chan” has now appeared as an adorable Washi Korokoro doll.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1800.html
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1801.html
▼ We create original products (OEM)! Using our expertise since 1902 to develop unique, made-in-Japan designs just for your brand.
We hold the largest number of registered Mino Washi brand products in Japan!
Please leave it to us for original product development, including figurines, papier-mâché items, Japanese accessories, stationery, DIY craft kits, and products with custom branding or logos. We can propose a wide variety of materials such as washi paper, chirimen crepe fabric, wood and ceramics – ideal for museum shops, tourist attractions, airport gift shops, theme parks and travel agencies organizing group tours to Japan.
▼ Click here to contact the Ishikawa Paper Goods head office♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
Not only our commercialized “Washi Korokoro” products – in fact, quietly, many original works are also being born from our Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop^^
We are always amazed by the unique creations that come from children’s free and imaginative ideas.
The charm lies in the freedom to create not just by copying the samples, but by shaping their favorite characters or personal motifs exactly as they imagine them.
Going forward, we will introduce these fun works with photos on our blog as well♪
Our popular “Washi Korokoro” product line from Ishikawa Paper Goods offers limitless creative expression, depending on the maker’s ideas.
It’s an experience that children – and adults who want to feel like kids again – can truly become absorbed in.
Why not create your very own original Washi Korokoro piece together with us at the Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop during your Japan trip or group tour to Gifu?
[See the images!] We also feature this newsletter with photos on the blog below! [Updated every Monday]
Newsletter article blog [with images]
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/index__23.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
Customer gallery – introducing works actually created by our guests during the hands-on experience♪
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…
Here is today’s featured piece♪
This is roughly how our craftspeople make a Washi Korokoro＾＾
Please enjoy arranging and customizing your own creations as well♪
[See the images!] We also feature this newsletter with photos on the blog below! [Updated every Monday]
Newsletter article blog [with images]
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/index__23.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
・Mayu “Mino” Diary – A hint of happiness I found at an electronics store
━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━…━
The other day, I went to an electronics store called K’s to replace some home appliances.
The staff member who helped me was a woman around the same age as me.
As a matter of fact, I ended up really loving the way she handled customer service＾＾
First of all, the way she spoke when helping me choose products was truly wonderful.
She used phrases like “Let’s go with the option that brings you more happiness…” and “This function will make your life feel happier,”
so that “happiness” became the standard for choosing, all in a soft, gentle tone.
Listening to her words, I could naturally imagine myself using the appliances she introduced, and my heart felt warm.
During our small talk,
she even shared a surprising story: “I cooked rice in all the rice cookers from each manufacturer and compared them.”
It was such an impressive episode.
Her “rice cooker theory” was incredibly rich, describing the sweetness of rice as “it tastes softly sweet at first” or “the sweetness settles in gradually afterward,” and I found myself completely drawn into her explanations.
Even when explaining air conditioners,
she didn’t just focus on whether there was an automatic cleaning filter or not.
Instead, she:
・Demonstrated, for each model, how to remove the dust that accumulates in the automatic filter cleaning system
・Explained that since our kitchen is nearby, we should consider whether the unit has a coating that resists oil stains
・Told us about the difference in cleaning costs when hiring a professional to remove mold, depending on whether the air conditioner has a cleaning filter or not
She carefully shared all these practical points that you won’t necessarily find in the instruction manual, from the perspective of real everyday life.
Her level of knowledge could rival a “home appliance geek” on TV, yet she also had the warm perspective of a regular user.
Her explanations were bright, clear and easy to understand, without any pushy sales talk – it made the shopping time itself feel truly enjoyable.
Meeting such a wonderful woman,
I found myself thinking that when I introduce our own products,
“I want to become someone who can provide the information that particular customer needs at that moment, from many different angles.”
Talking with her renewed that desire in me in a very strong way.
For inquiries about the information in this newsletter, please contact us here▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
━…━…━…━…━…━…━ …━…━…━…━…
○●○●○●○●○●○●○●
In a townscape filled with Edo-period charm,
you can enjoy hands-on Mino Washi craft experiences.
Mino Washi Craft Experience Shop Ishikawa Paper Goods
〒501-3728
1909-3 Honjyu-machi, Mino City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Shop manager: Mayumi Sato
Tel 0575-29-3680
Fax 0575-35-1363
Click here for inquiries https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Website: http://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/
Please feel free to contact us♪
━…━…━…━…━…━……━…━…━…━…━…