Mino Washi Craft-Experience Shop Ishikawa Paper Industries
Shop E-Newsletter No. 250
Hands-on creativity in Mino, Gifu! From “Washi Korokoro” dolls to a full menu of paper-craft workshops, our Mino Washi experiences are a hit with inbound travelers.
Thank you for visiting the Ishikawa Paper Industries Craft-Experience Shop!
Google Reviews ★4.9 (816 reviews, updated 9 June 2025)

Our shop is located inside the nationally designated Important Preservation District of Udatsu-roofed merchant houses.
The Edo-period building (built 1760) still boasts its original “Udatsu” firewall gable—come craft your own Mino-Washi souvenirs inside living history!
Solo travelers, couples, friends, families, school groups, company tours—everyone’s welcome.
We can host up to 45 participants at one time—ideal for Japan group tours and corporate incentive trips.
Workshop menu highlights:
• Washi Korokoro “roly-poly” dolls • Washi fans • Washi earrings & piercings • Washi plates & pen-stands • Washi bookmarks … and 30 + DIY kits!
Follow the sample or trust your inspiration—create one-of-a-kind Japanese souvenirs to delight your clients.
Check our opening calendar before you travel; we look forward to welcoming you.
▼ June–August Opening Schedule ▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1710.html
Group reservations are available even on non-listed days—please ask!
▼ Official Website ▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼ Rakuten Online Store ▼
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/ishikawa-shigyo/
Our 2026 Zodiac Horse (White Stallion) gift range is now open for wholesale booking—perfect for inbound gift shops and tour operators.
Interested? Contact our Circulation Department today.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
Ready? Let’s dive into this issue of the Mino Washi Craft-Experience Shop newsletter!
◆ This Issue’s Highlights ◆
• Shop update: brand-new Washi Korokoro—next year’s white zodiac horse (also available as a workshop kit) & insider tips on what makes Korokoro so addictive.
• Your Creations: a gallery of visitor masterpieces.
• Our town, Mino City: discover our UNESCO-listed Mino-Washi heritage.
• Why our craft studio is the most convenient cultural stop on your Central-Japan tour—just minutes from the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
• Planning activities for large groups? High flexibility, high satisfaction—learn about our turnkey workshops.
• Programs for special-needs schools & support organizations—inclusive fun for all abilities.
• Global visitor campaign—help us welcome guests from every nation!
• Mayu “Mino” Diary—field report from Osaka Expo, Pasona Pavilion.
Moments of pure joy—join us at the Mino Washi Craft-Experience Shop and let’s craft smiles together!
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Shop news: new white-horse Washi Korokoro joins the herd—workshop kit coming this autumn!
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Our latest Washi Korokoro creation—the 2026 zodiac white stallion—has arrived!

Related white-horse Korokoro items are also available:

Large white-horse workshops scheduled from autumn—come craft your lucky pony!
Not every Korokoro design is sold as a kit—some are exclusive OEM or workshop editions.
Washi Korokoro—endless forms, loved around the globe.
Brands approach us to co-create bespoke Korokoro—here are a few highlights.
◆ Tokyo University of Foreign Studies mascot “Tobita-kun” as Washi Korokoro!
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1734.html

◆ Now selling at Osaka Expo—national anime icon Astro Boy turned Washi Korokoro!
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1722.html

◆ Even the three-legged sun crow Yatagarasu—male & female versions!
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1753.html

◆ Showa-retro star Monchhichi in Washi Korokoro form—does it look like you?
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1735.html

Many more unique designs quietly debut at our workshop every week—children’s creativity is amazing!
We’ll share these one-of-a-kind pieces (with photos) in future blog posts.
See image-rich newsletter posts, updated every Monday:
Let your imagination run wild—discover why Washi Korokoro is a top-selling experiential souvenir.
Try it for yourself!
▼ Craft-Experience Shop website
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼ Contact the Craft-Experience Shop
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
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= Customer Gallery = Here are some of the lovely pieces our guests created during their Japanese paper-craft workshop♪
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This week’s featured artwork is …
“Staying stylish even in the rainy season!”

Feel free to add your own twist and enjoy personalising every craft piece♪
【See the photos!】 Our weekly Monday blog post features this newsletter with images.
Newsletter Blog (with photos)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/index__23.html
Feel free to add your own twist and enjoy personalising every craft piece♪
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Our Hometown Mino City – introducing the UNESCO-listed cultural heritage we’re proud of!
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Discovering regional industry and culture in Gifu Prefecture
Mino City boasts a cultural treasure you can be proud to share with travellers.
That treasure is Mino Washi—our local handmade paper industry.
Mino Washi is registered by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage representing living craft traditions.
Year of inscription 2014
Title Washi, Craftsmanship of Traditional Japanese Handmade Paper
Scope Three regions:
1 Mino City, Gifu (Hon-Mino shi)
2 Hamada City, Shimane (Sekishu-banshi)
3 Ogawa & Higashi-Chichibu, Saitama (Hosokawa-shi)

Why UNESCO recognised us:
• 1,300 years of sustainable kozo cultivation & hand-papermaking skills
• A satokawa “village-river” model that protects local society and ecosystems
• Versatile applications—from shoji screens to conservation papers—revitalised for modern design
Learn the history of Mino Washi and try traditional papermaking at Mino Washi Museum!
◆ Mino Washi Museum
https://www.city.mino.gifu.jp/minogami/

Stroll the merchant-paper townscape where Mino Washi was traded.
◆ Former Imai Residence & Mino Historical Museum
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/history-culture/p5974/

◆ Mino “Akari Art” Lantern Museum
https://minokanko.com/seeing/category/townscape-architecture/p5976/

Enhance your town walk:
◆ Kimono rental & dressing experience — Kamii Kitsuke School
https://minokanko.com/activity/category/%e4%bc%9d%e7%b5%b1%e5%b7%a5%e8%8a%b8%e3%83%bb%e3%82%a2%e3%83%bc%e3%83%88/p8666/
◆ Volunteer town-guides for groups of 10+
https://minokanko.com/news/news/p6710/

Create your own one-of-a-kind souvenir using genuine Mino Washi! Visit the Ishikawa Paper Craft-Experience Shop.
◆ Craft-Experience Shop website
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
◆ Contact the shop

Founded in 1902, Ishikawa Paper Industries has shared Mino Washi for 123 years. We renovated an Edo-era townhouse (built 1760) in the heart of the Udatsu historic district to deliver immersive cultural workshops for overseas tour groups and FIT travellers.
◆ Company history page
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/company.html
We also curate 1,000+ Mino-Washi gift items in-store—perfect for inbound souvenir shops and corporate buyers.
Top picks for inbound tourism and authentic Japanese gifts!
Our décor and lifestyle pieces let your clients display Japan’s seasonal beauty at home or in the office.
* For groups under 20 on non-business days, a facility fee applies—please inquire.
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Why our craft studio is ideal for Mino sightseeing and Central-Japan group itineraries:
• Midway stop for Nagoya–Takayama or Nagoya–Kamikochi coach tours
• 5 min from Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway Mino IC to coach parking, another 5 min walk to our shop
• Hands-on session finishes in under 1 hour; guests take creations home immediately
• Travel-agency commission R10, plus 10 % off in-store purchases over ¥1,000
• Totally free design—guests craft unique pieces
• Located in the centre of the Udatsu historic district
• Certified Mino Washi cultural experience—connects travelers with Japan’s living heritage
• Google rating ★4.9 (816 reviews, 9 June 2025) proves visitor satisfaction
Access times by expressway coach:
Nagoya → Mino IC 1 h (67 km)
Takayama → Mino IC 1 h 15 min (100 km)
Shirakawa-go → Mino IC 1 h 15 min (110 km)
Gujo Hachiman → Mino IC 17 min (28 km)
Chubu Centrair Int’l Airport → Mino IC 1 h 20 min (95 km)
Toki Premium Outlets → Mino IC ~30 min (39 km)
Please use the municipal car park—our staff will meet your group at the gate.
▼Mino City Map – Municipal Parking Guide
Packed with handmade charm—this leaflet lists every must-visit shop around Mino City ^^

[Front]https://minokanko.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/30ddbcbb17e8592a50b2d0c9fcab3229.pdf
[Back]https://minokanko.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/90c3049d7dadf0b1aa05f315a3aacf68.pdf
▼Access to Mino City – Parking Information
https://minokanko.com/access/
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Planning hands-on activities for student tours, corporate retreats or family groups? Our flexible Mino Washi Craft-Experience Shop delivers 100 % guest satisfaction!
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Perfect for elementary to high-school field trips, children’s clubs, PTA family outings, company incentives, team-building workshops, sports teams, senior groups, NPOs and cultural-immersion tours.
Teachers, tour planners, group coordinators and concierges—this is the experience your travellers will remember!
Give students an adventure beyond the classroom and create shared memories together.
Choose our Ishikawa Paper Craft-Experience Shop for an unforgettable “make-your-own” souvenir experience ^^
Plenty of open slots are still available—group reservations or individual online bookings welcome.
Our Washi Korokoro workshops are easy for everyone yet full of creative freedom.
We cover the key steps, provide an illustrated guide, then let guests finish however inspiration strikes ^^
Staff are always on hand for light assistance.
The year-round Washi Korokoro series aligns with Japan’s seasonal festivals—shop staff picked today’s best-sellers for each month:
January – Zodiac animals, Setsubun ogres
February – Hina dolls
March – Easter bunnies
April – Samurai Boys-Day dolls & Koinobori
May – Samurai & Princess figures
June – Frogs & Goldfish
July / August – DIY washi fans
September – Halloween
October / November – Cute animals (sheep, Shiba-inu, cats…)
December – 12 Zodiac, Daruma, Maneki-neko

Our Lucky-Charm and Historic Warrior series are popular all year—and you might encounter limited editions sold only in our studio!
Beat the heat in our air-conditioned craft studio & bond over creative fun!
With 30+ DIY kits, every child’s curiosity sensor will light up. Feel free to search ideas on your phone and customise away.
Show off your creations and enjoy friendly competition—visit the Ishikawa Paper Craft-Experience Shop!
▼Craft-Experience Shop website
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼Washi Korokoro catalog
//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 DIY kit & tool-rental guidelines
//www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/84/284_1_file.pdf
▼DIY menu: Washi plates, pen-stands, bookmarks, earrings
//www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/01/23/123_1_file.pdf
▼Family set (3 kits)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/09/209_1_file.jpg
▼Washi Korokoro Samurai Series workshop kit
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/02/69/269_1_file.jpg
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Special-needs schools & accessible-travel groups—ask about our inclusive service plan.
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For groups from special-needs schools or facilities we offer:
• One free ¥300 capsule-toy per participant
• 40 % off souvenir shopping (workshops excluded)
Our kits require no difficult steps—just cut, glue and create a personalised treasure!
Teachers and coordinators—contact us for accessible, sensory-friendly craft experiences.
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“Wow—so many countries have visited already!” Our new Global Passport Campaign aims to welcome travellers from all 193 UN member states.
Tell our staff your home country—if you’re the first visitor from that nation, your group receives a free Japan-made gift!
We’re currently at 38 countries—help us reach worldwide craft domination!
Visited countries list (to date)
North & South America
USA, Brazil, Canada
Asia
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
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Italy
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand
Africa
South Africa
…and much more.

Next we aim not only for global reach but a full Japan-wide conquest!
A brand-new nationwide campaign is in the works—stay tuned!
Keep an eye on the Mino Washi Craft-Experience Shop for fresh updates ^^
▼ Cross-cultural programs for international students & overseas employees ▼
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_672_0_0.html
Mino City Hall’s Washi Promotion Division is currently running an inbound-tourism survey.
Responses are coming in from travellers worldwide.
Your feedback will help make Mino even more attractive—stay tuned for new visitor services!
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Mayu “Mino” Diary – A family visit to the Osaka–Kansai Expo, Pasona Pavilion ^^
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Opening in April 2025, the Osaka-Kansai Expo is Japan’s first world expo in 20 years.
More than 160 countries and organisations exhibit at Yumeshima; visitor numbers topped 5 million within two months. The Expo runs through 13 October, showcasing next-gen tech and SDGs.
We visited with the family and were impressed by the friendly staff, abundant clean restrooms and spotless grounds—quintessential Japanese hospitality.
Seeing rows of national flags near the gate reminded us that you can encounter the world’s cutting-edge culture without leaving Japan.
Just beyond the East Gate, Astro Boy points toward the future atop Pasona Group’s white pavilion—our main destination.
Inside the gift shop you can find our original Mino Washi merchandise, and I couldn’t wait to see it in person.
Guided by Astro Boy and Black Jack, the pavilion explores IPS-cell breakthroughs—I couldn’t miss the chance to view living IPS cells up close!
We queued two hours, comforted by loaner parasols and a refreshing sea breeze.
Inside, exhibits radiate the message “Life—Thank You.”
A holographic Astro Boy tells visitors “Hope springs from challenge,” while a wall-size 8K LED shows dramatic CGI of cell division and organ regeneration narrated by Black Jack.
The pulsating CGI truly embodied the miracle of life and the promise of regenerative medicine.
Seeing a beating IPS-cell heart—no head, hands or feet—expanding and contracting before my eyes was surreal.
A thin myocardial sheet flexed rhythmically, illustrating how it could support a failing heart.
A cylinder theatre then offered a 360° vision of future workstyles and harmony with the Earth—stand at the corner for the best 3-D effect!
Astro Boy waved us off with “Let’s keep life beating.”
The pavilion transformed abstract IPS-cell data into a tangible, moving reality—science made real.

Pasona’s shop sells our Washi Korokoro dolls and memo pads—perfect keepsakes!
Related blog posts:
Osaka Expo Exclusive! Astro Boy × Mino Washi Korokoro Doll
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1722.html
Limited-edition Astro Boy × Mino Washi Memo Pad
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1723.html
Black Jack Memo Pad – Osaka Expo Limited
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1732.html
For newsletter inquiries, contact us here ▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
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Craft your own Mino Washi souvenirs in an Edo-era townscape
Mino Washi Craft-Experience Shop Ishikawa Paper Industries
Postcode 501-3728
1909-3 Honjyu-machi, Mino City, Gifu Prefecture
Shop Manager Mayumi Sato
Tel 0575-29-3680 Fax 0575-35-1363
Mobile 090-5851-4673 Email shigyo@jt7.so-net.ne.jp
HP: http://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/
Feel free to contact us anytime ♪
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http://ishikawa-shigyo.com/acmailer9/reg.cgi?reg=del&email=shigyo@jt7.so-net.ne.jp
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Media highlights
Experience praised on TV and online—come visit us soon ♪
▼ TV Tokyo “Can I Charge My Scooter?” – Washi doll workshop with celebrity Kumada Yoko
https://youtu.be/S8nqVqxGoiI
▼ NHK Gifu – Mino Washi fan workshop feature
https://youtu.be/Pn995x3oX9Q
Gifu Channel “Meccha Gifu Wakaru TV” ▼
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKiDL8-xf_w
▼ Mino Tourism Association website – our shop featured under “Experiences → Mino Washi”
https://www.minokanko.com
▼ Gifu Prefecture press release “Mino Washi in new forms” – Washi Kabuto display
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000017.000143336.html
▼ Official website
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 news
NEW! March–May opening days
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1584.html
* Group bookings available even on non-listed dates!