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The Tomioka Silk Mill (富岡製糸場) is a historic silk mill located in the city of Tomioka in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. It was established in 1872 and is considered to be the birthplace of Japan’s modern silk industry. The mill played a major role in the development of the industry and its techniques, and its success helped to establish Japan as a major silk producer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Tomioka Silk Mill was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, recognizing its importance in the development of the global silk industry. The mill complex consists of several buildings, including the main factory building, a cocoon warehouse, a reeling plant, and a manager’s office. The buildings are built in a Western style, reflecting the influence of Western technology and ideas that were introduced during the Meiji period.
Visitors to the Tomioka Silk Mill can take a guided tour of the site, which includes a visit to the factory building where they can see the machines and equipment used in the silk-making process. There is also a museum on the site that provides more information about the history of the mill and the development of the silk industry in Japan.
The Tomioka Silk Mill is a must-visit destination for those interested in the history of industry and technology in Japan. It offers a unique insight into the country’s silk industry, which played a significant role in its economic and cultural development during the Meiji period and beyond.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station to Tomioka Silk Mill:
| Train | Tokyo Station ↓ Ueno-Tokyo Line ↓ 2 hours (24 stops) Takasaki Station ↓ Joshin Dentetsu ↓ 41 minutes (13 stops) Joshu Tomioka Station ↓ Walk about 11 minutes ↓ Tomioka Silk Mill (Cost 2,790 yen) |
| Shinkansen | Tokyo Station ↓ Hokuriku Shinkansen ↓ 55 minutes (5 stops) Takasaki Station ↓ Joshin Dentetsu ↓ 41 minutes (13 stops) Joshu Tomioka Station ↓ Walk about 11 minutes ↓ Tomioka Silk Mill (Cost 5,830 yen) |
Details
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Reception closes at 4:30 PM. |
| Admission | Adults: 1,000 yen High school and university students: 250 yen Elementary school and junior high school students: 150 yen |
| Phone | +81 274-67-0075 |
| Address | 1-1 Tomioka, Gunma 370-2316 |
| Official Website | https://www.tomioka-silk.jp.e.wv.hp.transer.com/_tomioka-silk-mill/?_ga=2.10110645.1801177161.1723176775-1953093062.1723176775 |