【Part2】Chubu (Gifu/Central Japan, near Nagoya) Mino City Travel Highlight: Mino Washi Craft Experience for Groups | 11 Key Benefits for Tour Operators & Planners 2026.02.02
2026.02.05Thank you for coming back to read the second half of the article.
Alright—let’s get started~＾＾
Mino City Recommended Spots | 11 Key Reasons Why This Mino Washi Experience Is Easy for Group Tour Arrangements | Tokai Region (around Nagoya: Gifu / Aichi / Mie / Shizuoka) | January 26, 2026
Click here for the first half♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_2235.html
For reservations of 10 or more guests, we can also accommodate outside business hours. Please contact us to discuss your group itinerary!
Please contact us for details♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Now accepting group reservations♪
For group bookings of 10 guests or more,
all participants who join the workshop
receive 10% OFF all in-store items.
We’ve neatly summarized the workshop menu, pricing, and group capacity all in one place!
“Group Guide for Travel Agencies” PDF is here ↓↓
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
Google Reviews: 1,000+! ★4.9!
Laugh, create, and finish—check the workshop video!
“Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. Workshop Video” is here! → https://ourl.jp/bckKb
◆ Today’s topics ◆
[First half]
・This week’s shop news | Especially on snowy days: a warm, cozy hands-on experience. Our “World Conquest & Japan Conquest” projects are also in progress♪
・In-store product updates | A limited-time encounter. Disney items are while supplies last! Hinamatsuri dolls are also arriving one after another!
・11 reasons it’s easy to add to group tours | Highlights of Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop (Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd.)
・Recommended for group travel activities | Create a one-of-a-kind piece at Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop
・Guest Gallery | Even with the same kit, every piece turns out different!! Real creations♪
・Mayumi “Mino” Diary | Winter in Mino City, Gifu: snow and snowboard season
[Second half]
・Our hometown Mino City: spring outing ideas | Find spring on foot! Historic townscape stroll × cherry blossoms × riverside walk♪
・Group workshop guide | No worries even if it’s your first time. Here’s how the process flows♪
・Access guide | 5 minutes from Mino IC. Convenient location—easy to include in group tour itineraries!
・OEM by Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. | Why not bring that character to life in Washi? Cute “Washi Korokoro” production examples♪
・World Conquest & Japan Conquest Project | Next is your turn? “You”—come to Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. for a Washi experience♪
・For everyone to enjoy with confidence | Introducing services for guests with disabilities!
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・Our hometown Mino City: spring outing ideas | Find spring on foot! Historic townscape stroll × cherry blossoms × riverside walk♪
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Spring in Mino City is a season that makes you feel lighter just by walking around^^
Take a relaxed stroll through the “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” historic district, enjoy cherry blossoms, and finish by turning your “travel memories” into something tangible through a hands-on experience—how about a small spring trip like that?
■ First… explore the Edo-style “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” historic streets
The street lined with lattice-front townhouses is perfect for a photo walk.
With cafés and souvenir shops scattered along the way, you can enjoy a slow, scenic town stroll♪
■ Enjoy spring cherry blossoms at Ogura Park, close to the historic townscape
A spring highlight is the cherry blossom avenue at Ogura Park.
It’s an easy stop as an extension of your walk, and you can soak up plenty of spring scenery.
Highly recommended for anyone thinking, “I want to see some cherry blossoms too!”^^
■ Head to the riverside area where the “lighthouse view” remains
Another spring detour is the area around the lighthouse, where traces of the old river port still remain.
The riverside air feels wonderful, and in spring many visitors look forward to the “cherry blossom-lined path near the lighthouse”♪
After exploring the townscape, take a short extra walk and feel the “spring scenery of Mino.”
■ And finally—take home “Mino memories” with a hands-on workshop!
A springtime Mino City you can walk, see, and feel.
To wrap up, we warmly invite you to try a Mino Washi craft experience at our shop^^
Your piece is completed on the spot and can be taken home, so your travel memories remain in a tangible form♪
Please consider “spring in Mino City that’s easy to fit into a tour itinerary.”
We love the spirit of “We want to make it a fun itinerary!”—we look forward to hearing from you^^
▼ Mino City Tourism Association website
https://minokanko.com/
▼ Mino City Tourism Association: “Udatsu Townhouses Hinamatsuri” Stamp Rally is here♪
https://minokanko.com/news/event/p9001/
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・Group workshop guide | No worries even if it’s your first time. Here’s how the process flows♪
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Thankfully, we’re seeing more and more group visits^^
“We’re coming by bus—will we get lost on site?” “Can we enjoy the workshop smoothly even if it’s our first time?”
To ease those concerns, here’s an easy-to-follow overview of the day’s flow!
1 Arrive at the municipal parking lot (tour buses OK)
Because we do not have a dedicated parking lot, we kindly ask guests to use the municipal parking facilities.
For groups, if you call us 15 minutes before arrival, our staff can greet you smoothly♪
(For guests who feel uneasy about walking, shuttle support may be possible depending on the situation—please ask us.)
2 A quick guided town walk through the “Udatsu no Agaru Machinami” historic district
Even the walk from the parking lot to the shop becomes part of your travel memories^^
We’ll introduce key highlights of the Edo-period streets and “udatsu” features in a focused, easy-to-enjoy way.
3 Arrive at the shop → we’ll guide you to your seats
In our Edo-period building built in 1760, your Mino Washi hands-on craft experience begins!
First, take your seat and relax for a moment.
4 A fun, easy explanation with picture-story (kamishibai) guidance♪ (Beginner-friendly)
We’ll clearly introduce Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd., Mino Washi, highlights in the shop, and tips for making your piece.
We also provide instructions, so you won’t get stuck^^ (Our staff will support you closely!)
5 Start creating (about 30–45 minutes)
Even just gluing pieces into place completes the project, so everyone from age 4 to adults can enjoy it.
You can follow the kit’s sample diagram—or arrange it into your own original design!
Feel free to use our in-store selection of [Mino Washi Yuzen Paper (our original designs)] to create a one-of-a-kind piece♪
6 Finished! Take it home right away
No long waiting times for drying.
Your completed piece can be taken home immediately as a travel souvenir.
7 After the workshop, enjoy shopping in our store too♪
With rows of Japanese craft souvenirs and traditional goods, please enjoy souvenir shopping as well♪
As a group benefit, you can also enjoy **10% OFF when your total in-store purchase is JPY 1,000 or more**.
Along with your workshop memories, please take your time choosing travel souvenirs too^^
*If any items are excluded, our staff will inform you on the day.
Create together, show each other, and laugh together—we’ll help you make those wonderful memories.
All of us on staff look forward to welcoming your group^^
▼ Group reservation inquiries (we can accommodate outside business days, too)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
▼ Workshop website
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼ Group reservation guide (50 guests per session × 6 sessions = 300 guests/day)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
For reservations of 10 or more guests, we can also accommodate outside business hours. Please contact us to discuss your group itinerary!
Please contact us for details♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Now accepting group reservations♪
For group bookings of 10 guests or more,
all participants who join the workshop
receive 10% OFF all in-store items.
We’ve neatly summarized the workshop menu, pricing, and group capacity all in one place!
“Group Guide for Travel Agencies” PDF is here ↓↓
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
Google Reviews: 1,000+! ★4.9!
Laugh, create, and finish—check the workshop video!
“Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. Workshop Video” is here! → https://ourl.jp/bckKb
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・Access guide | 5 minutes from Mino IC. Convenient location—easy to include in group tour itineraries!
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For travel agencies and group tour planners:
“We want to add a hands-on activity that’s easy to stop by during a long itinerary.”
In that case, we recommend Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop (Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd.).
[Why it’s easy to fit into your itinerary]
・Close to the expressway interchange (Mino IC → about 5 minutes), so it reduces the burden of bus travel
・Located in the heart of the historic town area, making it easy to combine with sightseeing strolls and souvenir shopping before/after the experience
・Easy to use as a “just-right stop” on a loop route (between Nagoya ↔ Takayama / Shirakawa-go)
Please consider us as a satisfying, easy stop you can add smoothly between transfers—an ideal group tour activity in Central Japan.
We can also advise on time allocation to match your tour schedule and bus itinerary.
Our staff is fully prepared and looks forward to welcoming your group^^
▼ Mino City access information
We are about a 5-minute drive from “Mino IC” on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
It’s easy to include us mid-route on popular itineraries heading from Nagoya toward Takayama and Shirakawa-go—an ideal location to combine a break + hands-on cultural experience + historic townscape walk all in one stop.
Estimated access times by departure point (using expressways)
From Nagoya: Nagoya Loop Expressway 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 min
From Shirakawa-go: Shirakawa-go IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway) → Mino IC — approx. 110 km / about 1 hour 15 min
From Gujo-Hachiman: Gujo-Hachiman IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway) → Mino IC — approx. 28 km / about 17 min
From Chubu Centrair International Airport: Centrair-Higashi IC (Chita Odan Road) → Nagoya Expressway / Meini-kan Ring Road → Ichinomiya JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC — approx. 95 km / about 1 hour 20 min
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 (approx.)
Parking Information (Group Tour Buses Welcome)
*We do not have a dedicated parking lot. Please use the municipal parking lots.
For group arrivals, if you call us 15 minutes before you arrive, our staff can greet your group smoothly and guide you in.
(If any guests feel uneasy about walking, shuttle support may be possible depending on the situation. Please contact us to discuss accessibility arrangements.)
▼ 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
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・OEM by Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. | Why not bring that character to life in Washi? Adorable “Washi Korokoro” production examples♪
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Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. was founded in 1902.
While preserving the heritage of Mino Washi, we also develop Japanese craft souvenirs, traditional paper goods, and original Made-in-Japan products for the B2B wholesale and OEM/private label market.
One of our most popular items is the lucky charm “Washi Korokoro”—a cute roly-poly figure that pops back up with a gentle wobble♪
In fact, Washi Korokoro has grown beyond being only a best-selling experience at our workshop—many original, custom designs have also been created through requests from companies, organizations, and group clients as OEM projects.
Here are some adorable OEM-born Washi Korokoro examples—ideal as Japan travel souvenirs, official character goods, and destination merchandising for travel companies and tour operators♪
◆ [OEM Case Study 1] Perfect as a shrine/temple gift item♪ Guiding deity: “Washi Korokoro Yatagarasu”
The auspicious “guiding bird,” Yatagarasu, becomes a cute, wobbling Washi Korokoro♪
It even includes a playful feature—a spot to place an omikuji fortune slip◎
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1753.html
◆ [OEM Case Study 2] A university character is born as a “Korokoro”! Tokyo University of Foreign Studies “Tobita-kun”
The official image character of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies has become a Washi Korokoro＾＾ *Available as both a DIY kit and a finished product.
Recommended for creating commemorative gifts and event merchandise that clearly expresses “local identity” and brand storytelling.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1752.html
◆ [OEM Case Study 3] A local “face” becomes Washi Korokoro♪ Noboribetsu City official character “Tomu-kun”
Noboribetsu City’s official character “Tomu-kun” is arranged into a cute, auspicious roly-poly figure!
Perfect for destination souvenirs and tourism PR items—so charming you’ll want to pick one up♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1784.html
▼ For inquiries about creating custom OEM / original products, click here♪ ▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
“Can you make our character?” “We want this kind of look and feel!”
That’s exactly how Washi Korokoro is born—through your ideas and brand vision＾＾
Why not transform your company’s character into
a one-and-only, adorably wobbling “Washi Korokoro” made with authentic Japanese Washi?
We look forward to hearing from you＾＾
▼ We produce original OEM products (private label / custom manufacturing)! ▼ Using our expertise since 1902, we create special, exclusive designs just for your brand.
No. 1 in Japan for registered Mino Washi Brand products!
Doll making, papier-mâché, Japanese craft souvenirs, Japanese stationery, DIY craft kits, logo/name printing, and more—leave custom production to us! We can propose a wide variety of materials such as Washi paper, chirimen fabric, wood, ceramics, and more.
We’ll propose custom designs using a wide variety of materials—Washi paper, chirimen fabric, wood, ceramics, and more. Please leave your original production needs to us!
▼ Contact Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. (Head Office) here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
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・World Conquest & Japan Conquest Project | Next is your turn? “You”—come to Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. for a Washi experience♪
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At Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop (Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd.),
we display a “World Map” and a “Japan Map” in the shop and run an interactive activity where visitors place a sticker on their hometown—an engaging experience for international travelers, inbound tourism, and group tour guests!
As the number of stickers grows,
you can see at a glance how far the Mino Washi experience has spread—and both our guests and staff get excited.
Which country is next? Which prefecture? Each time you look at the maps, the fun keeps growing^^
◆ World Conquest Project (currently: 44 countries) ◆
So far, guests from an amazing 44 countries (individual travelers and groups) have visited us!
Thinking that people from all over the world are discovering Mino Washi here in Mino City… it truly makes us happy!!
[North & South America: 5 countries]
United States, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Honduras
[Asia: 22 countries]
Philippines, South 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: 14 countries]
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Russia, Netherlands, Czech Republic
[Oceania: 2 countries]
Australia, New Zealand
[Africa: 1 country]
South Africa
Total: 44 countries!
For guests visiting from a country we’ve never had before, we sometimes ask them to place a commemorative flag^^
It’s also fun to look for your flag and wonder, “Is my country already here?”♪
◆ Japan Conquest Project ◆
The Japan map is also slowly filling up with more stickers!
Each time we add a new hometown, we feel the connection between Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. and everyone expanding more and more.
When you join the workshop, please be sure to place a sticker on your hometown too^^
And then…
Your one sticker becomes the first step of a new story.
No matter where you’re from, even if it’s your first time, you’ll be fine.
Create together, laugh together, and take home your travel memories!
All of us on staff look forward to welcoming you^^
▼ Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. Workshop website is here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
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・So everyone can enjoy with confidence | Services for guests with disabilities
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At our shop, we offer the following support services for group visits from special needs schools and facilities for guests with disabilities♪
Group-limited offer for: “Special needs school groups” and “Groups with disability certificates”
・One free play of the JPY 300 capsule toy (gacha) per person
・Shopping practice program: 40% OFF purchases (hands-on workshops are excluded)
Our hands-on crafting menu has no difficult steps, so anyone can easily create a wonderful piece. (Washi Korokoro, uchiwa fan, bookmark, Washi plate, pen stand) are all designed to be simple and enjoyable.
Just paste the pre-cut paper pieces along the pattern shape…
and you can make your own original item^ ^
You can craft it in detail to match your own sensibility—or finish it exactly like the sample!
Choose your paper, apply glue, and paste!
Why not repeat these simple steps and create a beautiful handmade work?
If you are from a special needs school, an after-school day service, or you are a person in charge planning an outing or trip for a facility, please feel free to use our workshop—ideal for group travel activities in Japan!
▼ Contact Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. Workshop here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html