Handmade paper Mino-Washi and traditional swords of SEKI
Joined 2015
You enjoy two distinctive fields of Japanese culture by visiting two small towns in one day trip. The one is Mino which is famous for Japanese hand-made paper Washi. Another one is Seki famous for Japanese-swordsmith. Strolling around two towns, you will learn some of secrets of cool Japan.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At JR Gifu Station
- in front of the ticket gate at 7:50AM
JR Gifu station
leave Gifu by 8:11-train
Mino old town district
Mino city was established as a castle town and prospered through production of Washi-paper. The center district of the city is well preserved as one of the important traditional building areas in Japan. You could take a leisurely stroll through the historic townscape Which dates back to the Edo period
Former Imaike Residence
This building was constructed in the end of the 19th century and used as a Washi-paper wholesale merchant's house. The chief of a family also served as the a headman of this town. You could get detailed information about a typical townhouse of the Edo period.
Mino-Washi Akari Art Gallery
This gallery provides you a fantastic atmosphere made by collaboration with paper-art and lights. Many competition masterpieces are on display telling the possibility of paper in daily lives.
Lunch
Seki Traditional Sword Smith MUseum
In this museum, you could learn about the history and the process of Japanese swordsmith.
Feather Museum (The world's First Comprehensive Museum)
This museum was established by the biggest safety razor company in Japan and provide you an eye-opening experience and knowledge of cutlery
Knife Factory
You visit one of the workshops manufacturing high-quality knives. The company prospered business handing down traditional concept of swordsmith production.
JR JR Minota station
JR Gifu station
Ending Point
At JR Gifu Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
transportation fee about 4000yen/person
entrance fee for guests (Mino-Washi Akari Art Gallery 200yen/person, Former Imaike Residence 300yen/person, Seki Traditional Sword Smith Museum 300yen/person)
lunch and beverages about 3000-5000yen/person
Tour Important Information
Mino is a small castle-town surrounded by mountains. Mino is, however, also one of the hometowns of the traditional Japanese hand-made paper“WASHI”. It was registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2014. You can not only see goods and works of art made from WASHI but stroll around the traditional housing area which includes some excellent souvenir shops. I promise you will find and experience traditional Japan by exploring this cozy old town.
Seki is famous for being one of five samurai-swordsmith manufacturing towns in Japan since 14th century. You can see an authentic sword-hammering performance in the Seki Traditional Sword Smith Museum on the first Sunday of every months. Now, since Seki is known for high-quality knives and cutlery production, In the end, you visit a factory to see and learn how those high-quality products are made. You can also buy products at reasonable prices compared to other stores around Japan.
Important message from the supplier
I can guide in Kyoto in case you support transportation fee.
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
Joined 2015
About Tour Guide Tetsuji Y.
Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens.
Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu.
I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?
Reviews
Steven L.
“Shirakawa-go Day Tour from Takayama ”
Our group of 3 booked Tetsuji for a day trip to Shirakawa-go from Takayama. Tetsuji was incredibly responsive during the planning process and even helped us reserve transportation and a restaurant which took all the fuss out of the process! His demeanor was incredibly friendly and professional across the trip, always happy to tap into his knowledge of the location's heritage and goings-on to answer whatever questions we had (with a particular focus on the architectural structure and development of the town's Gassho-Style Houses). Tetsuji's planning allowed every location enough breathing room for us to take them in, with plenty of photo opportunities too! Though he expressed modesty about his English proficiency at the start, we had no trouble communicating at all (you could drop him in England, and he'd probably be fine honestly). All in all, a well-prepared, well-travelled, and well-mannered guide. If we're ever back in the area, we'd have no qualms contacting Tetsuji again!
Tetsuji Y.
I truly appreciate your kind words and generous praise. It means a lot to me. Honestly, I feel a little embarrassed accepting such compliments as mine, but your thoughtful words are incredibly inspiring and give me the confidence to take on new challenges. I am really looking forward to seeing you and your family again Please give my warm regards to Chris and Jimmy.
Shwe M.
“Takayama and Shirakawago”
Tetsuji is the perfect guide for the historically inclined. His background in town planning and architecture mean that he truly understands the importance of preserving traditional ways of life for future generations to enjoy. He perfectly structured our day, without ever making us feel rushed, and booked the best restaurant in Shirakawago for us (which is booked up to a month in advance). He is also an avid photographer and we are looking forward to seeing all the photos he took of us on our trip with him!
Tetsuji Y.
Thank you for describing nice review. I am very happy to hear that you are satisfied with my tour. Please give my best regards to Conner.
David G.
“Great tour of Takayama and Furukawa”
Tetsuji is a patient, knowledgeable guide who managed to fit all the highlights of two towns into a relaxed-feeling day. He introduced us to many under the surface aspects of local culture that we would have overall missed. And he made us feel comfortable traveling with children with constant food and bathroom needs. A five-star guide and great person!
Tetsuji Y.
Thank you for excellent praise for my tour. I am very happy to hear that you are satisfied with my guiding. I hope you could come back to Japan again and enjoy traveling around my area with me. I believe you still have a lot of places to visit and know the details. Please give my best regards to your family members.
$113/ per group
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Cormorant fishing viewing on the Nagaragawa River
Gifu Castle standing on the Mt.Kinka provides visitors with nice panoramic views day and night. You also enjoy watching a traditional unique event Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River while eating dinner in a viewing boat. Sir Charlie Chaplin visited Gifu twice to enjoy this unique traditional event. Besides, a photogenic street Kawara-machi and the Great Buddha statue in Shoboji-temple move you so much.