Tomioka Silk Mill was opened in 1872 and includes a number of Western-style red-brick buildings. The reeling equipment came from France. French experts were brought in to instruct and advise, including Paul Brunat (1840–1908), an experienced raw silk inspector who oversaw construction of the mill and became its first director.

The complex grew to include the reeling plant, cocoon warehouses, administrative buildings, a cafeteria, an infirmary, the director’s residence, dormitories for the women mill workers, and company housing for the administrators and their families.

Layout

The reeling plant and two red-brick cocoon warehouses surround a central courtyard. The two-story Western-style warehouses were built when there was only one silkworm growing season per year; their size was calculated to house enough cocoons to keep the plant operating for a full year. Later, sericulture advanced and multiple crops of cocoons could be harvested annually. Since reeling capacity had also improved, the large warehouses continued to provide sufficient storage. Today, the warehouses contain exhibitions on the history of the mill and sericulture in Japan. There is a gift shop and small event space.

The family housing units stand at the open end of the courtyard. They provide a glimpse of daily life in the early twentieth century. 

Historic Equipment

The reeling plant contains some of the fully automated Japanese reeling machines from the 1960s that were in use when the plant was closed in 1987. In the central courtyard is the steam boiler plant housing the steam engine that drove the reeling machines. The steam engine was fueled by coal, which was stored at one end of the warehouse on the west side.

Access

Many of the mill’s original buildings have been preserved and are open to visitors. The site’s free Wi-Fi may be used to download the smartphone app that provides audio guidance.

Visitor Information

  • Hours of Operation : 9:00am – 5:00pm (reception closes at 4:30pm) Tours include approximately one hour of commentary.
  • Charges : Adult 1,000yen, High School/University Students 250yen, Elementary/Junior high Students 150yen
  • Closed : Dec. 29-31 . Occasionally closed for inspection or maintenance.
  • Access : (By railway)At Takasaki Station(JR-line), change to Joshin Railway (40 minutes) and exit from Johshu-Tomioka Station and walk for 15 minutes.
  • Access : (By car)Take Joshinetsu Road and exit at Tomioka I.C. It will be 10-minute drive to the site.
    *Tomioka Silk Mill does not permit the entry of motor vehicles, please utilize specified car park (incurs charge).

Please visit “Tomioka Silk Mill Homepage” to see more detailed information.
http://www.tomioka-silk.jp/hp/en/
Location : 1-1 Tomioka-shi,Tomioka