You can reach Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm by train or car. From JR Okabe Station (25 mins from Takasaki), it's a 10-minute taxi ride (about 2000 yen). Another option is a local bus from Sakaimachi Station (on the Tobu Isesaki Line from Asakusa), which takes 25 minutes and costs 200 yen. By car, it's a 20-minute drive from Honjo-Kodama IC on the Kanetsu Expressway. From Tomioka Silk Mill, it takes 60–75 minutes on toll-free roads or about 45 minutes via expressway (950 yen). Free parking is available nearby.
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Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm
2 of 4 in Tomioka
Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm (田島弥平旧宅, Tajima Yahei Kyūtaku) in Isesaki City is the birthplace of a major innovation in silk farming. Built in 1863, this farmhouse was home to Tajima Yahei, who created a clever ventilation system to raise healthier, high-quality silkworms. His two-story design with raised roof sections (called yagura) let air flow naturally, improving silk production. The method was so successful that many farmers came to learn from him, helping Japan's silk industry grow.
The site became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014, along with the Tomioka Silk Mill. While you can't go inside the house—it’s still lived in by Yahei’s descendants—you can visit the garden and view the exterior between 9:00 and 16:00. A small museum shows silk-making tools, and nearby you'll find an information center with exhibits, a short film, and guided tours in Japanese.
Hours and Fees
Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm
- Opening hours
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9:00 to 16:00
- Closed
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No closing days
- Entrance fee
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Free
Getting there
Google MapsResources
Japanese
Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm
Official website
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