Discover Mino City with World Heritage Sites

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The reason why Honminoshi was selected as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage is because of its unique "paper-making technique." In this technique, which is exclusive to the Mino region, water is poured into a tool called a sukifune (a tool for making Honminoshi), and a gentle "horizontal rocking" motion is added to the conventional "vertical rocking" to interweave the fibers during the paper-making process.
Each sheet of paper is meticulously crafted by hand, resulting in distinct characteristics for each sheet, making no two sheets exactly alike. This process gives Honminoshi its distinctive qualities of being soft, delicate, durable, thin, and even.

Furthermore, the production of Honminoshi is well-suited to the city of Mino, which is blessed with abundant nature and is traversed by the Nagara River and the Itadori River.
Honminoshi is made using high-quality water and the raw material Oshi-Nasu Kozo, a deciduous shrub of the mulberry family. The city of Mino's natural resources provide the ideal environment for the production of Honminoshi.

Moreover, Mino paper has been produced for over 1,300 years, with generations of skilled washi craftsmen passing down their knowledge and expertise. It is widely used for various everyday items such as lighting fixtures, interior decorations, and small articles. Additionally, Honminoshi, being a natural and eco-friendly material, is sustainable and has gained international attention.
Consequently, the "paper-making technique" of Honminoshi, a traditional craft that has long supported Japanese daily life, has been recognized and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Mino-Washi Sorts

Hon Minoshi

Hon Mino-Shi is registered as a Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Honmino-shi represents the highest quality of Mino Washi and is distinguished by several qualifications: (1) it is made exclusively from specified kozo called paper mulberry as raw material, (2) traditional papermaking methods and tools are utilized, and (3) the traditional characteristics of Honmino-shi, such as color and texture, are preserved. Moreover, only a limited number of craftsmen are authorized to produce this exceptional paper.
Hand-made Mino Washi

Handmade Mino Washi is designated as a traditional national handicraft known as 'Mino-Washi'. The materials used include mitsumata, gampi, and kozo, and each sheet is carefully handmade by craftsmen. With its warm texture, evenness, thinness, and durability, it finds application in a wide range of contexts. It is used in traditional Japanese styles such as tablecloths, Gifu lanterns, and Japanese umbrellas, as well as in modern lifestyle scenes like accessories and knick-knacks.
Machine-made Mino Washi

Nowadays, in addition to handmade washi, machine-made washi techniques have been developed. During its peak in the Meiji era, there were reportedly between 3,000 and 4,000 households engaged in washi-making. However, today there are only about 20 handmade washi craftsmen remaining. Despite this situation, the tradition of washi making is being preserved through mechanization to sustain the industry, culture, and town. While mechanization allows for mass production at a low cost, it still maintains the texture, luster, and durability of handmade washi.

Products made from Mino-Washi

Letter Papers

In this age of digitalization, why don't you consider sending messages to your family, partner, or friends with paper letters and envelopes? The letter paper sold by 'shiyu' features Japanese kawaii and playful designs. The warmth of the paper, unique to Mino Washi, adds a quaint atmosphere to your message.
Goshuin Book

If you are planning to visit temples and shrines in Japan, you should definitely consider getting a Goshuin book. Goshuin stamps, which are stamped at shrines and temples as proof of visitation, are also attractive in their design. Shiyu also sells Goshuin books featuring high-quality Mino Washi papers adorned with motifs of Mt. Fuji and Daruma dolls, which are believed to bring good luck. The Mino Washi Goshuin book will further enhance the traveler's experience!
Towels

Is the excellence of Mino Washi limited to paper alone? The quality of Mino Washi is also utilized in towels, surprisingly! Matsuhisa Eisuke Paper Store sells washi towels made from Mino Washi by slitting it into thin strips and twisting it to enhance its strength. The distinctive features of washi, such as absorbency and a deodorant effect, along with its comfortable firmness, are the appealing qualities of Mino Washi towels!
Bags

Another Washi product available from Matsuhisa Nagasuke Paper Store is a bag! It is incredibly lightweight, yet possesses a sturdiness and finish that make you forget it is made of paper. Why not stroll through the streets of Mino City with a washi bag in your hand?

Travel Around Mino City

Former Imai Family Residence"

The oldest house in Mino is the former Imai Family Residence, which served as both a townhouse for the village headman and a Japanese paper wholesaler. The family members were wholesale paper merchants and held the position of shoya, or head of Mino. The house was built during the Edo period and later expanded in the Meiji period, giving it the appearance of a set from a Japanese historical drama. The garden is adorned with a Suikinkutsu, recognized as one of the "100 best soundscapes in Japan," and the ceiling features a skylight that bathes the interior in natural light, creating a serene atmosphere of sound and illumination for visitors.

Mino-Washi Akari Art Museum

The Mino Washi Akari Art Museum showcases the award-winning works from the annual "Mino Washi Akari Art Exhibition," held in Mino City during the autumn season. These artworks embody creative ideas that maximize the beauty of the soft and warm light created by Mino Washi. On the first floor, there is a store that offers Mino Washi Akari Art products for sale.

Mino-Washi Musuem

Washi no Sato Kaikan is a paper theme park that offers you the opportunity to see, touch, and experience Mino Washi. Along with showcasing the history of Mino Washi, which boasts a tradition and technique spanning 1,300 years, and its production methods, the park allows you to become more acquainted with washi in Japanese and Western-style rooms that incorporate it into daily life. Additionally, you can observe a demonstration of washi making in a workshop and try their hand at papermaking using authentic washi making tools. Here, you can personally experience the rich history, breadth, and potential of washi for the future.

Mino City Activities

The Mino Festival
feat. the Gorgeous "Flower Shrine"

The Mino Festival is held annually in April and is composed of three parts: the "Flower shrine," the "Festival floats," and the "Nagashi Niwaka." The highlight of the festival is the "Flower shrine." The shrine features 250 to 300 shinais adorned with numerous Mino Washi papers dyed in cherry blossom colors, creating a breathtaking spectacle as they hang from the roofs. More than 30 large and small shrines parade through the city, celebrating the arrival of spring.

The Udatsu Preservation District and Mino Washi Shops

The Udatsu Preservation District is a wonderful place to explore and discover souvenirs. "Lantern-ya" manufactures and sells lanterns made exclusively from handmade Mino Washi by traditional craftsmen. They also offer special experiences such as observing demonstrations and placing made-to-order lanterns. As introduced above, 'Shiyu' and 'Matsuhisa Eisuke Paper Store' are recommended places to find Mino Washi souvenirs. Shiyu offers products that combine the warm texture of Mino washi with cute and playful designs, while Matsuhisa Eisuke Paper Store sells towels, socks, bags, and other items utilizing the unique characteristics of Mino Washi.