You can reach Takayama-sha Sericulture School by train or car. From JR Takasaki, take the Hachiko Line to Gunma-Fujioka Station (15 mins, 240 yen). Then take a rare local bus (35 mins, 300 yen) or a taxi (20 mins, about 3500 yen) to the school. By car, it's about 20 minutes from Fujioka IC or 45 minutes from the Tomioka Silk Mill via toll-free roads. Limited parking is available at the entrance, with more space 300 meters away, connected by a path through a bamboo grove.
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Takayama-sha Sericulture School
4 of 4 in Tomioka
Takayama-sha Sericulture School (高山社跡, Takayama-sha Ato) was founded in 1884 by former samurai Takayama Chogoro. He developed the “seion-iku” method, which controlled temperature and humidity for better silkworm farming. The school’s two-story main building featured a raised roof, many windows, and fireplaces to create the ideal conditions for growing high-quality cocoons. This method helped shape modern silk production in Japan and attracted students from across the country and overseas.
Today, visitors enter through a traditional gate and join guided tours (in Japanese) of the historic site. The preserved main building, built in 1891 and inspired by Tajima Yahei’s farm, still has trays on the second floor once used for silkworms. While many of the original buildings are gone or damaged, future restoration plans aim to bring the grounds back to their early Meiji-era appearance. The school became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014 along with the Tomioka Silk Mill.
Hours and Fees
Takayama-sha Sericulture School
- Opening hours
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9:00 to 17:00 (last admission 16:30)
- Closed
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No closing days
- Entrance fee
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500 yen
Getting there
Google MapsResources
Japanese
Takayama-sha Sericulture School
Official website
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