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- MINO WASHI papermaking (Unesco status) Half day Private tour based on your requests
MINO WASHI papermaking (Unesco status) Half day Private tour based on your requests
For 1300 years, the Mino region has specialized in the production of washi, a traditional handmade paper, and it is now one of the three remaining major centers of papermaking in Japan. Explore the wonder of paper!
・Two or three places where you would like to go in Mino, Gifu.
・For ideas of places to go, please see the images or the highlights.
Yoko T.
Meeting Point
At your hotel if it's in Mino or Nagaragawa Railway Minoshi Station or I can meet you at Seki City Bus Terminal
Purchase some beautiful Japanese Washi paper for your own uses.
Visit Mio Washi Akari Art Hall ( Enjoy stunning paper light sculptures from annual Akari Art Contest & Exhibition, which received the Tiffany Foundation Award).
Strolling an old town area with a look of the Edo period (around 17th century), which flourished by paper industry.
Former Imai Residence / Mino museum (used to be a paper wholesaler)
MINO-WASHI Museum (experience handmade papermaking)
Mino Tesuki Washi House (Former residence and mill of a papermaker, Kozo Furuta. Talk to an experienced papermaker (staff there) if time allows.)
Suhara Shrine (It is said to be originally established in 721. The gate is huge and main feature of this shrine.)
Walking course (from the old street area to a lookout point built near the ground of the previous castle that occupied this spot which gives commanding views of the surrounding areas, Kawaminato river port lighthouse and the pristine river, the Nagara river with Mino Bridge (the oldest modern style suspension bridge in existence in Japan) and back to the town area.)
Antique Shop (meet a friendly shop owner)
Try Ayu sweet fish cuisine, Soba buckwheat noodles or Kura cafe etc
Japanese cooking experience, using locally grown vegetables etc. at a historical house building (reservations required)
Machine-made Paper company, a factory tour (Close watch of the papermaking process, various designs such as watermarks on paper and other special techniques etc.) (reservations required)
Sake brewery with old Udatsu firewall roofing structure (National Important Cultural Property)
Ending Point
At your hotel if it's in Mino or Nagaragawa Railway Minoshi Station or Seki City Bus Terminal
What to Expect
You can visit home to Japanese traditional papermaking with a local, friendly licensed guide.
Walk around old "Menoji streets", structured in the shape the Japanese character for eye (ME), consisting of 4 pillars (north to south) and 2 crossbeams east to west. It is a preservation area with its highly-valued groups of historic buildings. Explore a variety of paper shops specializing in lanterns, handcrafted model airplanes, letter pads, coasters, tapestries just plain Mino washi paper sheets for beauty or paper socks! You could visit Mino Washi Akari Art Hall to fully enjoy the distinctive soft glow that Mino paper allows to emanate through. For hands-on experience, you could visit MINO-WASHI museum and make your original handmade papers. There are many other local attractions and activities you could probably only enjoy with a guide. And why not try talking to locals? Your guide is more than happy to help you. Starting time flexible, 4 hours by walking, and public bus or taxi depending on what place you would choose.
Want to personalize this tour?
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
Entrance fees to any attractions in Mino (you and guide), transportation cost in Mino (you and guide), any food, drink and lunch (you and guide). To visit MINO-WASHI museum, a paper factory and Furuta Kozo House area and Suhara Shrine, need to book a taxi. (approx. 15 minute ride each). Admission fees: MINO-WASHI museum 500JPY/person, Mino Washi Akari Art Hall 200JPY/person, Former Imai Residence/ Mino museum 350JPY/person.
Important Information
Let me help you have a day tailored to you!
MINO (handmade papermaking which achieved UNESCO status), SEKI (samurai sword making) and GUJO (life with clean water) and GIFU (old townscape of a river port) are perfect places to visit, related to a pristine water situated in the center of Japan.
MAGOME-juku and traditional fish catching method "Ukai （cormorant fishing）" in the Nagara River are also popular for many tourists.
I can also guide you around Shirakawa-go (UNESCO heritage site), Nagoya and Kyoto.
Some days of the week are available only limited hours. Please ask when you contact. Thank you.
What's NOT included in the fee:
Food and drinks, tickets to any attractions, transportaion costs and the guide's accommodation when necessary. Please feel free to ask any.
What's included in the fee:
Guide fee
I will make a detailed itinerary after I confirm your booking and email you. Please contact me and tell me what you would like to do in this tour with me.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Reviews
Paul B.
“ Yoko was a wonderful guide for us in Takayama! ”
We spent a very nice 6 hours with Yoko in Takayama. She was very knowledgeable about the city and region, the history, and special events that take place there. We don't speak Japanese, so it was very nice to have someone fluent in English as our guide. Yoko is very kind, easy to talk to, and she was great with our two kids, aged 7 and 10. Despite having almost constant rain during our tour, Yoko found many interesting things for us to see and do. She also knew some excellent places for local foods and treats, and we all had an amazing lunch together. I really feel like Yoko would be able to cater a tour experience to your exact tastes and wishes. I highly recommend Yoko to be your tour guide!
Yoko T.
I appreciate your kind words. Spending six hours with the charming and lively family made me happy too. I’m glad that you could all enjoy Japanese cuisine and culture. Best wishes.
Jianan Z.
“ Had a amazing time with Yoko, She knows a lot about takayama ”
we have spend 2 days with Yoko in takayama aera. She knows those places so good . we had a really good time with her.
Yoko T.
I am glad that I could help you enjoy your time in Takayama and Shirakawa-go. It was energizing for me to hear about your experiences traveling around the world. Thank you. Have a great remainder of your stay in Japan. Yoko
Ying sing L.
“ Beautiful Shirakawago ”
Yoko has brought us good luck where we were greeted with snowy white Shirakawago in the middle of March. It was snowing heavily the day before our tour. It has the most beautiful view from every corner. Yoko has managed perfectly by sharing the history of the town and showing us different parts of the town. We had a toddler who threw tantrums from time to time. Thank you Yoko for your patience and also she brought us to this restaurant that serves melt in your mouth Hida beef and good quality Japanese Sake from Takayama region. Many thanks Yoko!
Yoko T.
I appreciate your kind words. Boy, 22 months old, was our hero. Snow, socks, sake, and many things about Japanese, our talk was endless. It was a wonderful time spent in Shirakawago with a happy family. Thank you so much.
Richard G.
“ Best possible guide. ”
Yoko’s guidance and intuition made a day in Kyoto fun and memorable. We laughed and learned the entire day.
Yoko T.
I appreciate your kind words. We truly enjoyed our tour in Kyoto together. Yes, we did laugh a lot and I learned a lot as well. Thank you again. Enjoy the rest of your travels and