Mino City is a lovely town just a short train ride away from either Seki or Gifu City. And just like the rest of the region, this quaint little town has its own rich history of art and craftsmanship. In particular, Mino City and its inhabitants is not only celebrated for keeping the centuries-old tradition of “washi” making, or Japanese paper, but the town also celebrates their claim to fame with a yearly festival in October.

The udatsu-lined streets in the heart of the city are bathed in the warm glow of paper lanterns made from the very same parchment the Mino is known for.

While beautiful and definitely one of our recommendations if you’re ever around during mid to late October, the area as you can expect can get quite busy.

Today, we wanted to take our time and enjoy the best that this charming mountain community has to offer year around!

Since its creation by the feudal lord Nagachika Kanamori, the characteristic slate-black tiles have been idealized and now protected as “Nationally-designated Important Cultural Properties”. There was a time however that competing merchants would endeavor to differentiate themselves, their products, and the quality of their products through the intricate designs of their udatsu rooftops.