In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Mino
美濃
Visit Mino for a half‑day paper lantern festival in early October, otherwise a single day to see the Imai Residence and try local washi.
Mino is a small city in Gifu Prefecture famous for Mino‑washi paper and the annual paper lantern festival. The main sights are clustered near Mino‑shi Station, so a half‑day suffices outside festival dates; add a full day if you want the festival or to explore nearby Seki.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 美濃
- Best months
- Oct (festival), Apr–Jun for mild weather
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mino‑washi paper (small sheet) | ¥300–¥800 |
| Coffee at a café | ¥300–¥500 |
| Local ramen bowl | ¥600–¥900 |
| Parking fee during festival | ¥500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NGO · Chubu Centrair International Airport
- Limited express Meitetsu to Gifu/Nagoya, about 30 min to Nagoya then JR to Mino
- QGU · Gifu Airport (domestic)
- Small domestic airport, limited scheduled flights
Typical fares
- Nagaragawa Railway Mino‑shi → Seki
- about ¥340, 15 min (check)
- Car rental day
- ≈ ¥5,500 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is easiest; Nagaragawa Railway serves the station but limited service. Walk to most attractions within 10‑15 min.
See and do
Known for
- Mino‑washi paper
- Paper lantern festival (early‑mid Oct)
- Former Imai Residence
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Seki (ceramics town) | JR Tokaido Line from Mino‑shi, about 15 min | ≈30 min round trip |
| Gujo Hachiman (water town) | JR Takayama Line to Gujo‑Hachiman, about 45 min | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Mino Kanko Hotel
- Singles from ¥6,900; close to central station
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the station? | 駅はどこですか？eki wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Parking fills quickly during the paper lantern festival; arrive 2 h before dark or use shuttle from temporary lots (≈¥500).
- Last train on Nagaragawa Railway departs around 22:00; plan return accordingly.
Generally safe; watch for traffic when walking near the railway and keep an eye on festival crowds.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mino yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mino‑washi paper
- Paper lantern festival (early‑mid Oct)
- Former Imai Residence
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Mino tourist association: minokanko.com/
- Wikivoyage: Mino (Gifu), revision 5167858 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5167858
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/mino-gifu). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.