Tomioka – UNESCO spinning and industrial history

Tomioka, in Gunma Prefecture, is known for its silk mill, a world heritage site that was one of the first cities to host foreign workers at the beginning of modern Japan. The city is halfway up the mountain Myogi , a popular destination for hikers.

Tomioka mill, seishijo

Founded in 1872, Tomioka silk spinning is the first modern silk factory in Japan. The mill was built as a model factory by the Japanese government with the help of French specialists to improve the quality of silk produced in Japan through the use of modern machines and improved working conditions for its workers. This was one of the major efforts of the Meiji government to modernize Japan and catch up with the West.

Tomioka’s silk mill was granted World Heritage status in 2014 for its crucial role in transforming Japanese silk into a major commodity in international trade and in establishing the textile industry as the country’s largest industry until the 20th century. Interestingly, several of today’s leading car manufacturers are linked to the textile industry: Toyota has its roots in the loom manufacturing sector, while some of Nissan’s engines have evolved from automatic silk reels.

Visitors are allowed to enter the silk mill and the warehouse is where some exhibitions are presented with explanations in Japanese, but the other buildings can only be seen from outside. Guided tours are organized in Japanese for 200 yen. Alternatively, audio guides in different languages can be rented for 200 yen. Visitors can also download the audio tour free of charge on their smartphone.

Takayama-sha School of Sericulture

This school received apprentices from all over Japan and even from neighbouring countries, who came to learn silkworm breeding techniques to obtain greige silk. In recognition of its contribution to the advancement of the silk industry, the former school is one of three sites alongside the Tomioka silk spinning that reached World Heritage status in 2014.

Takayama Chogoro, a former samurai who entered the silk trade after the end of feudal age, established the Takayama-sha Seric Farming School in 1884 after perfecting the seion-iku sericulture technique. In seion-iku, temperature and humidity are controlled to create ideal conditions for the rearing of silkworms using a two-storey building with many windows and an elevated roof for good ventilation as well as chimneys. The technique taught at school established the standard for modern sericulture technology in Japan.

Coffee Drome

Café Drôme, occupies a renovated building dating back to 1875. The employees and visitors of the silk mill had been passing this building for nearly 150 years. The earthen walls and wooden beams on the second floor were preserved as they were originally.

The name of the café was inspired by the birthplace of Paul Brunat, the Drôme region of France. Furniture and decorations were also brought from France.

Mount Miyogi

Mount Myogi is one of the three mountains of Jomo. It has been known as a mountain of faith since ancient times. Mount Myogi, which ceased its volcanic activity a long time ago, has long been swept away by rain and wind, giving it its present form, which has earned it the qualification of one of the three strangest sites in Japan.

There are also many other mysteries concerning Mount Myogi, such as the formation of strange rocks.

Miyogi Shrine

Myogi Shrine is located at the foot of Mount Hakuun, the main peak of Myogi, famous for its strangely shaped rocks and mysterious stones, and occupies a picturesque place with old cedars. It is said in the inscription of the sanctuary that it was founded in the second year of Emperor Senka (537) and that it was originally called Hakoso-no-Okami, before being renamed Myogi.

It is believed that the reason for the name Myogi is that Sir Gondainagon Nagachika, who lived in this region to serve Emperor Go-Daigo, was so moved by the mountain spectacle that he gave his name to the sanctuary. The main sanctuary, the hall of worship and other buildings in the enclosure were built between the beginning and the middle of the Edo period and the area of the sanctuary is filled with huge old cedars, and the stone walls in various places, including the 10 meters high stone wall under the old palace, are as skillful as their know-how, and with the bronze torii gate and other buildings, they were designated as cultural property.

The gigantic old cedars in the enclosure, the stone walls and the bronze torii were designated cultural property.

Gunma Natural History Museum

The museum presents the history and evolution of nature and life especially for the Gunma region. The collection of dinosaur fossils exhibited here is unique in Japan by the rarity of its specimens. The museum is equipped with an observation dome, an information corner, a learning studio and a laboratory. It also organizes temporary exhibitions.

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