Tomioka Travel Tips

Tomioka (富岡), located in the southwestern part of Gunma Prefecture, is renowned for its historical significance as the site of Japan’s first modern silk factory, the Tomioka Silk Mill. Established in 1872 during the Meiji Period, the mill was instrumental in revolutionizing Japan's silk industry, introducing modern technology that transformed silk production into a key export driving the country’s economic development. The mill's advanced methods became a model for other factories across Japan, and it played a pivotal role in the country's industrialization during the Meiji era. Today, the Tomioka Silk Mill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its well-preserved state and historical importance. Visitors can explore not only the mill itself but also three other key silk-related heritage sites in the area. These include the Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm, known for its pioneering research on silkworm egg production, Arafune Cold Storage, which used natural cooling methods to preserve eggs, and the Takayama-sha Sericulture School, which contributed to the advancement of silkworm rearing techniques. Together, these sites offer a fascinating insight into the development of Japan's silk industry, a cornerstone of the nation's modernization.