"Part2" This Spring Trip Guide Near Nagoya (Gifu/Aichi/Mie/Shizuoka) | Top Things to Do in Mino City, Gifu, Mino Washi Craft Experience| Group Tours Welcome | Visitors from 45 Countries | 2026.02.06
2026.02.11Thank you so much for coming back to read the second half of this article.
All right, let’s get started! ^^
Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd.
Shop Newsletter No. 280 Second Half
Mino Washi Experience | Top Things to Do in Mino City, Gifu: Recommended Hands-on Craft Workshop & Group Tour Info
Visitors from 45 Countries! Spring Outing Ideas & “Washi Korokoro” Craft Experience Updates
Read the first half here ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_2235.html
For reservations of 10 or more guests, we can accommodate you even outside regular business hours.Please feel free to consult with us!
Contact us for details ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Now accepting group reservations ♪
For group reservations of 10 or more guests,
everyone who participates in the workshop experience
gets 10% OFF in-store items.
We’ve neatly summarized our workshop menu, pricing, and group capacity!
“Group Tour Information for Travel Agencies” PDF is here ↓↓
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
Over 1,000 Google reviews! 4.9/5 rating!
Laugh, create, and finish! Check our workshop in a short video!
“Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. Workshop Video” is here! → https://ourl.jp/bckKb
◆ Today’s Topics ◆
【First Half】
・This week’s shop news | More and more group inquiries—planning ahead for future dates
・In-store items | Limited-time finds. Disney items are while supplies last! Hina dolls are 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 itineraries | Create a one-of-a-kind piece at Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop
・Customer gallery | Even with the same kit, every piece turns out different!! See real creations ♪
・Mayu-“Mino” diary | “The power of daily life” I felt through a wild game (gibier) experience
【Second Half】
・Our town, Mino City: Spring outing ideas | Find spring on foot! Historic streetscape walk × cherry blossoms × riverside stroll ♪
・Group workshop guide | “First time” is totally OK. Here’s how the process flows ♪
・Access guide | 5 minutes from Mino IC. Convenient location that’s easy to include in group tour routes!
・OEM by Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. | Turn your character into Washi! Cute “Washi Korokoro” custom production examples ♪ (OEM/ODM, private label, licensed collaboration)
・World & Japan Conquest Project | Celebration! Guests from our 45th country have visited us!
・For a safe and enjoyable visit | Services for guests with disabilities (inclusive group programs)
Two-part feature (first half + second half) with extra volume!
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・Our town, Mino City: Spring outing ideas | Find spring on foot! Historic streetscape walk × cherry blossoms × riverside stroll ♪
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Spring in Mino City feels like your heart gets lighter just by walking around ^^
Take a relaxing stroll through the “Udatsu Townscape,” enjoy cherry blossoms, and finish by turning your “travel memories” into something you can take home—how about a small spring trip like that? (Perfect for group tours, educational trips, and corporate incentive travel near Nagoya.)
■ First… explore the Edo-period atmosphere of the “Udatsu Townscape”
The street lined with lattice-front townhouses is perfect for a photo walk.
With cafes and souvenir shops along the way, you can enjoy the town at an easy pace ♪
■ Enjoy spring cherry blossoms at nearby “Ogura Park”
One of the best spring highlights is the row of cherry trees at Ogura Park.
It’s an easy stop as part of your walk, and you can soak up a full spring-like view.
If you’re thinking, “I also want to see some cherry blossoms!”—we highly recommend it ^^
■ Then head to the riverside area where a “lighthouse view” remains
Another spring detour is the area around the lighthouse, where remnants of the old river port remain.
The river air feels wonderful, and in spring many visitors look forward to the “cherry blossoms near the lighthouse” ♪
After your townscape walk, take a small extra step to feel “Mino’s spring scenery.”
■ And finally—take home “Mino memories” by making something!
The springtime Mino City you’ve walked, seen, and felt.
To wrap up, please enjoy a Mino Washi craft experience at our shop ^^
Your piece can be completed on the spot and taken home, so your travel memory remains in a “real form” ♪
Please consider “springtime Mino City that’s easy to add to your tour itinerary.”
We truly welcome your “We want to make this a fun itinerary!” spirit—contact us anytime ^^
▼Mino Tourism Association website
https://minokanko.com/
▼Mino Tourism Association: “Udatsu Machiya Hina Dolls” stamp rally is here ♪
https://minokanko.com/news/event/p9001/
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・Group workshop guide | “First time” is totally OK. Here’s how the process flows ♪
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Thankfully, we’re seeing more and more group visitors ^^
“We’re coming by bus—will we get lost on site?” “Can we experience it smoothly even if it’s our first time?”
To ease those worries, we’ll explain the day’s flow in a clear, easy-to-understand way!
1) Arrive at the municipal parking lot (tour buses OK)
Because we do not have a private parking lot, we kindly ask you to use the municipal parking lot.
For groups, if you call us 15 minutes before arrival, our staff can welcome you smoothly ♪
(For guests who are not confident walking, we may be able to provide pick-up support depending on the situation. Please consult with us.)
2) A short “town-walk guidance” through the Udatsu townscape
Even the route from the parking lot to the shop becomes part of your travel memory ^^
We’ll introduce key highlights of the Edo-period streets and “udatsu” features—focused and easy to follow.
3) Arrive at the shop → guided to your seats
In an Edo-period building built in 1760, your Mino Washi handmade craft experience begins!
First, please take a seat and relax for a moment.
4) We explain the experience with a picture-story show—fun and easy (great for first-timers)
We’ll clearly introduce Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd., Mino Washi, in-shop highlights, and tips for making your piece.
We also provide instruction sheets, so you won’t be unsure how to proceed ^^ (Our staff will support you carefully!)
5) Start creating (approx. 30–45 minutes)
Because you can complete it simply by pasting with glue, it’s fun for a wide range of ages—from 4-year-olds to adults.
You can follow the sample diagram from the kit, or make your own original arrangement—either is welcome!
Feel free to use our in-store 【Mino Washi Yuzen patterned paper (our original design)】 to create a one-of-a-kind piece ♪
6) Finished! Take it home right away
No long waiting time to dry…
Your completed piece can be taken home immediately as a travel souvenir.
7) After the workshop, enjoy shopping in the store ♪
With Japanese paper goods and Japanese souvenirs lined up, please enjoy finding gifts as well ♪
As an additional group benefit, you can purchase 【10% OFF when your total in-store purchase is JPY 1,000 or more】.
Along with your workshop memories, please take your time choosing souvenirs ^^
*If some items are excluded, our staff will 안내 (inform) you on the day.
Make together, show each other, and laugh together! We’ll help you create those happy memories.
All of our staff look forward to welcoming your group visit ^^
▼Consult about group reservations here (available even on non-business days)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
▼Workshop website
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Group reservation guide (50 people per session × 6 sessions = 300 people/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 accommodate you even outside regular business hours.Please consult with us!
Contact us for details ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Now accepting group reservations ♪
For group reservations of 10 or more guests,
everyone who participates in the workshop experience
gets 10% OFF in-store items.
We’ve neatly summarized our workshop menu, pricing, and group capacity!
“Group Tour Information for Travel Agencies” PDF is here ↓↓
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
Over 1,000 Google reviews! 4.9/5 rating!
Laugh, create, and finish! Check our workshop in a short 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 that’s easy to include in group tour routes!
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To travel agencies and group tour planners:
“We want to add an easy-to-stop-by experience spot in the middle of a long travel day.”
In those situations, we recommend Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd.—a hands-on Japanese craft experience in Mino City, Gifu that fits well into bus itineraries.
【Why it’s easy to add to your itinerary】
・Close to the expressway interchange (Mino IC → approx. 5 minutes), so bus travel is less tiring
・Located in the townscape center, so it’s easy to combine strolling and shopping before/after the workshop
・Convenient as a “just-right stop” on popular routes (between Nagoya ↔ Takayama / Shirakawa-go)
Please consider us as an experience stop where you can drop by without strain and still deliver high satisfaction.
We can also consult on time allocation to match your tour itinerary.
All staff are preparing to warmly welcome your group ^^
▼Mino City access information
We are about 5 minutes by car from “Mino IC” on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
It’s easy to add as a stop on routes toward Takayama and Shirakawa-go from Nagoya, making it possible to combine a rest break + hands-on workshop + townscape stroll all in one place.
Estimated access by departure point (using highways)
From Nagoya: Nagoya Ring Road IC (Nagoya Expressway) → Ichinomiya JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC approx. 67 km / approx. 1 hour
From Takayama: Takayama Nishi IC (Chubu-Jukan Expressway) → Hida-Kiyomi IC → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC approx. 100 km / approx. 1 hour 15 min
From Shirakawa-go: Shirakawa-go IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway) → Mino IC approx. 110 km / approx. 1 hour 15 min
From Gujo Hachiman: Gujo Hachiman IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway) → Mino IC approx. 28 km / approx. 17 min
From Chubu Centrair International Airport: Centrair Higashi IC (Chita Odan Road) → Nagoya Expressway / Meini-kan → Ichinomiya JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC approx. 95 km / approx. 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 / around 30 min
Parking information (tour buses OK)
*We do not have a private parking lot. Please use the municipal parking lot.
For groups, if you call us 15 minutes before arrival, our staff will welcome you smoothly.
(For guests who are not confident walking, we may be able to provide pick-up support depending on the situation. Please consult with us.)
▼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. | Turn your character into Washi! Cute “Washi Korokoro” custom production examples ♪
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Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. was founded in 1902.
While cherishing the tradition of Mino Washi, we also develop Japanese paper goods and original products—ideal for souvenirs, gift shops, museum shops, and specialty retailers.
One especially popular item is the lucky charm “Washi Korokoro,” a cute roly-poly figure that pops back up with a gentle wobble ♪
In fact, Washi Korokoro isn’t only a popular workshop experience at our shop—it has also been created many times as original, custom-made products (OEM/ODM) for companies and organizations.
Here are some adorable Washi Korokoro examples born from OEM projects—perfect for corporate gifts, event souvenirs, and retail/wholesale importers looking for authentic Japanese crafts ♪
◆【OEM Example 1】A must-have for fans: Rurouni Kenshin “Washi Korokoro – Rurouni Kenshin”
This OEM example was finished with the gentle texture of Mino Washi while carefully respecting the world of the popular series.
Without losing the character’s key features, we commercialized it with the warmth of washi and a friendly, approachable shape.
It’s a strong example of licensed-character OEM suitable for fans both in Japan and overseas, and also for tourism souvenirs that convey Japanese culture.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1871.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
◆【OEM Example 2】A mascot becomes Washi Korokoro ♪ Minobu Town “Mino-Wan”
Minobu Town’s official character “Mino-Wan” was born as a Mino Washi roly-poly figure, “Washi Korokoro.”
It’s a lucky charm with a delightfully cute form and the gentle texture unique to washi.
Used for regional PR and event commemorations, it has also drawn happy reactions like, “Wow, it turns into this shape!”
While valuing the character’s appeal, we help create one-of-a-kind custom products for your organization.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1772.html
◆【OEM Example 3】A local “face” becomes Washi Korokoro ♪ Noboribetsu City’s official “Tomu-kun”
We turned Noboribetsu City’s official character “Tomu-kun” into a cute, lucky roly-poly figure!
Perfect for tourism souvenirs and PR items—so cute you’ll want to pick it up ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1784.html
▼Consultation for custom products (OEM) is here ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
“Can you make our character too?” “We want this kind of vibe!”
Washi Korokoro is born from voices like these ^^
Why not turn your company’s character into
a one-of-a-kind, adorably “koron” (roly-poly) Washi Korokoro made with washi?
We look forward to hearing from you ^^
▼We produce original custom products (OEM)♪ Using our experience since 1902, we create special originals just for your company!
Japan’s No. 1 number of Mino Washi brand registrations!
Doll making, papier-mache, Japanese goods, Japanese stationery, DIY kits, name printing, and more—leave original production to us! We can propose various materials such as washi, chirimen fabric, wood, ceramics, and more.
…Please leave original production to us! We can propose various materials such as washi, chirimen fabric, wood, ceramics, and more.
▼Contact Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. (Head Office) here ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
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・World & Japan Conquest Project | Is it your turn next? Come experience washi at Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. ♪
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At Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd.,
we have placed a “World Map” and a “Japan Map” in the shop and run a participatory activity where visitors place a sticker on their hometown or country!
As the stickers increase,
you can see at a glance how far the Mino Washi experience has spread—exciting for both staff and visitors.
Which country next? Which prefecture next?… Every time we look at the map, the excitement grows ^^
◆World Conquest Project (Current: 44 countries)◆
So far, an amazing 44 countries’ visitors (individuals and groups) have visited us!
Thinking that people around the world are touching Mino Washi here in Mino… 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】
Republic of South Africa
Total: 44 countries!
For visitors from a country visiting for the first time, we sometimes ask them to place a flag as a keepsake ^^
It’s also fun to check, “Is my country’s flag already there?” ♪
◆Japan Conquest Project◆
Our Japan map is also gradually filling with more stickers!
Every time a visitor’s hometown is added, we feel our connection with everyone expanding more and more.
When you join the experience, please place a sticker on your hometown too ^^
And then…
your single sticker becomes the first step of a new story.
No matter where you come from in the world, and even if it’s your first time—it’s OK.
Make together, laugh together, and take home your travel memories!
All staff sincerely look forward to welcoming you ^^
▼Workshop website is here ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
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・For a safe and enjoyable visit | Services for guests with disabilities
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At our shop, we offer support services like the following for group visits from special needs schools,
and disability support facilities, to help everyone enjoy the experience comfortably ♪
Group-only offer for “special needs school groups” and “groups with disability ID holders”
・One free try of our JPY 300 capsule toy (gacha)
・Shopping practice program: 40% OFF purchases (handmade workshop experience excluded)
Our making-things menu has no difficult steps, so anyone can easily create a wonderful piece. (Washi Korokoro, uchiwa fans, bookmarks, washi plates, pen stands) are…
When you paste paper pieces that are pre-cut into a template shape…
you can create your very own original item ^ ^
You can craft in depth to match your own sensibility, or finish it exactly like the sample—either is great!
Choose paper, apply glue, and paste!
By repeating this process, would you like to create a lovely piece?
Special needs schools, after-school day service programs,
and coordinators planning facility trips—please feel free to use our inclusive group programs!
▼Contact for the workshop is here ♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Thank you very much for reading to the end.
We’ll be happy if this article made you think, “I want to try it!”
At Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop, please experience creating your one-and-only piece.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.