Overview
A government-run silk mill opened in 1872. A World Cultural Heritage site where the buildings from its founding remain.
About this place
Tomioka Silk Mill (富岡製糸場, Tomioka Seishijō) is Japan's oldest modern model silk reeling factory, established in 1872 by the government to introduce modern machine silk reeling from France and spread its technology in Japan. The factory is designated by the government as a National Historic Site and all its buildings are preserved in very good condition. It is located in the city of Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, about 100 km northwest of Tokyo. It is also featured as the 'ni' card in Jomo Karuta playing cards.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Key facts
Field：Silk reeling, World Heritage
Source worldheritage.pref.gunma.jp ↗Source pref.gunma.jp ↗Official website
Check the official website for current opening hours, fees and closing days.
Source tomioka-silk.jp ↗Before you go
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Information checked on: 2026-09-03
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