Mino

Mino (美濃) is a city in central Gifu Prefecture, known for its historic post town along the Nakasendo highway and for Mino washi (traditional handmade paper), designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The town's old district preserves Edo-period buildings with distinctive white walls and black lattice windows. Mino washi paper has been produced here for over 1,300 years, and the town has several workshops and museums dedicated to the craft. The Mino River adds to the town's charm.

By Plane

Chubu Centrair (NGO) is about 1.5 hours by train.

By Train

Mino Station is on the JR Takayama Line. From Nagoya, limited express trains (Wide View Hida) take about 30 minutes (¥2,000). From Gifu, about 20 minutes.

By Car / Road

Mino is accessible via the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway (Mino IC). From Nagoya, the drive is about 1 hour.

The historic district is compact and walkable, with well-preserved streets. Taxis are available at the station.

Mino Washi Museum—exhibits on the history and technique of Mino papermaking; hands-on paper-making experiences available (¥500 admission, ¥800 for experience). Old Mino Town—the preserved merchant district with traditional white-walled buildings. Mino City Historic Museum—covers local history and the Nakasendo post-town era. Mino River—the scenic river area offers pleasant walking paths.

Paper-making experience at the Mino Washi Museum or one of the town's workshops. Strolling the old town—the preservation district is perfect for a leisurely walk. Washi shopping at several galleries and shops. Hiking along the Mino River.

Mino offers Gifu cuisine including Hida beef, hoba miso, and soba noodles. Several restaurants in the historic district serve local specialities.

Gifu sake is available. Tap water is safe.

• Budget: Guesthouses from ¥5,000–7,000. - Mid-range: Hotels from ¥7,000–10,000. - Upscale: Ryokan in the Mino area from ¥10,000–15,000.

Mino washi—ranging from simple sheets to elaborate folded crafts, notebooks, lampshades, and washi dolls—is the definitive local product.

• Gifu City (20 min by train) — Gifu Castle and Nagara River cormorant fishing. - Seki (10 min by train) — Japan's cutlery capital. - Ogaki (20 min by train) — Ogaki Castle and Basho sites. - Tajimi (20 min by train) — Mino-yaki pottery capital.