the city of mino is 300 kilometers west of tokyo. people have been making washi here for 1,300 years. unesco has named mino as one of three communities that make the paper in the traditional way. local people celebrated by making an ornamental washi ball. the area is well known for producing the handmade paper. washi is made from the bark of paper mulberry trees. it's a time consuming process. the paper has to meet strict requirements about the type of materials, tools and techniques used. only eight artisans in mino are certified to make washi in the traditional way. their top priority is to find and train successors. there are several washi workshops in the area. all of them are trying to find ways to boost demand for the handmade paper. one idea is to make products that reflect a contemporary lifestyle. this tokyo cafe has added a seasonal touch by putting snowflake decorations in its windows. they are made of washi. the unique qualities of the paper make its fibers visible. the snowflakes have fuzzy edges. >> translator: i find t