Tomioka Travel Tips

2 of 7 in Gunma Prefecture

Tomioka (富岡), located in southwestern Gunma Prefecture, is known for being home to Japan’s first modern silk factory, the Tomioka Silk Mill. Built in 1872 during the Meiji Period, the mill helped modernize the silk industry and served as a model for factories across the country. Its advanced technology turned silk into a major export and supported Japan’s economic growth for decades.

The Tomioka Silk Mill was once one of the world’s largest and is now a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alongside the mill are three other silk-related heritage sites: Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm, known for research on silkworm egg production; Arafune Cold Storage, which preserved eggs using natural cooling; and Takayama-sha Sericulture School, which improved techniques for raising silkworms. Together, these sites tell the story of Japan’s silk revolution.

Getting around

In Tomioka, the Silk Mill is easy to reach by public transportation, but the other three related sites are far apart and not well served by buses or trains. Renting a car is the best option, with rental services available near JR Takasaki Station and one near Joshu-Tomioka Station.