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Handmade paper Mino-Washi and traditional swords of SEKI
You will 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.
Meeting Point
At JR Gifu Station
JR Gifu station
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 Gifu station
Ending Point
At JR Gifu Station
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Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
transportation fee
entrance feeincluding guide for guide and guests (Mino-Washi Akari Art Gallery 200yen, Former Imaike Residence 300yen ,Seki Traditional Sword Smith Museum 200yen)
lunch and beverages
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, you can visit a factory to see and learn how those high quality products are made. You can buy products for cheaper prices than other department stores around Japan.
Important message from the guide
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
Gifu Tour Reviews
“Very enjoyable visit to Shirakawago”
Tetsuji was very professional and we had a great time!
Richard Z.
Monet's Pond, Knife‒city Seki & Washi‒hometown Mino
“Detailed plan with flexibility, strong local knowledge”
Due to the bad weather, Tetsuji offered alternative to Monet's pond with Inuyama Castle. The change worked out well. The eel lunch in Seki was very good again. Perfect recommendation that only local knows. The old town of Mino and washi paper arts are memorable. Seki was the town for sword making. Traveling 3 cities with local trains within one day needs detail local knowledge. Tetsuji worked out detail plan, also with flexibility due to the weather change. I would recommend Tetsuji for non Japanese speakers want to visit local towns. That will make the trip much easier.
Tetsuji Y.
(33 reviews)Thank you for a superb review full of praise of my job. Now, I have got emotional with so much detailed nice words for me. I feel extremely honored to have worked as a guide for a lovely intelligent couple for two days in a row. I enjoyed myself not only guiding but also talking with you and Jane. I really hope you visit Japan and chat with me again. Please give my best regard to Jane.
“Well planned tour with many details”
Tetsuji guided us to Shirakawa-go. The tour was great. Starting from Gifu with train ride to Takayam, the train ride is a tour itself. The view was so beautiful that making the train ride was enjoyable. Right after arrived Shirakawa-go, Tetsuji put our name for a very good restaurant that serves hida beef. The lunch was perfect. Tetsuji was very detail person. Every detail is planned. All the activities that Tetsuji planned have their meanings, which we can feel it. And, Tetsuji took so many pictures of us. I believe those pictures will help us to reminding us about this trip. I would recommend Tetsuji to anyone that come to Shirakawa-go for the first time.
Tetsuji Y.
(33 reviews)Thank you for a superb review full of praise of my job. Now, I have got emotional with so much detailed nice words for me. I feel extremely honored to have worked as a guide for a lovely intelligent couple for two days in a row. I enjoyed myself not only guiding but also talking with you and Jane. I really hope you visit Japan and chat with me again. Please give my best regard to Jane.
