Kiryu City

Index

Highlights of Kiryu City

Once known as the Capital of ‘Textile Manufacturing’ in Japan, Kiryu City (桐生市) in Gunma Prefecture has produced silk fabric for more than 1,200 years and, for this reason, is culturally related to Tomioka City and Ashikaga City nearby.

If you visit, friendly locals will be happy to demonstrate their silk craft, which is deeply rooted in this area. They also offer many workshops using their traditional weaving machines. We highly recommend visiting on the first Saturday of the month, where there are many events, workshops, and antique fairs so you can enjoy a whole day there.

From JR Kiryu station, you can hire bicycles for free, which will help you get around town more easily if you visit by train.

Kiryu is also the starting point of the Watarase Keikoku Railway. This railway line takes tourists up the mountain valleys towards Ashio copper mines and Nikko (UNESCO World Heritage site).

Yellow and white silkworm cocoon balls in Kiryu City

Traditional weaving machine in Kiryu City

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Access

From Tokyo

From Airports

Haneda Intl. Airport

Narita Intl. Airport

Main Stations

Videos of Kiryu City

Kiryu City's Highlights

Autumn at Houtokuji Temple

Exploring Kiryu Antique Market

Kiryu Yagibushi Festival

Things to DO in Kiryu City

Western lady in kimono looking at beautiful kimono fabric in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture

Wear/buy a authentic Kimono

Kiryu is known for its Silk heritage and there are many places where you can buy or wear authentic traditional Kimono at a reasonable price.

Visit Historical Heritage Area

Visit the historical townscape North of the station where many old sites and buildings from various periods remain. This area is also a symbolic landscape of Kiryu City.

Antique Fairs

Visit Kiryu's two popular antique fairs! These are open to the public on the morning of the first Saturday every month (November and Januaruy are on different days).

Traditional Puppet Show (Karakuri Ningyo Geki)

Experience Kiryu's tradition by watching the performance of a traditional puppet show (Karakuri Ningyo Geki) with a 360 year old history! Shown for free on the first and third Saturday of the month.

Watarase Valley Railway station with view of autumn leaves

Travel up the Watarase Keikoku Railway

Watarase Keikoku Railway is a popular train that carries tourist up through the valleys towards Ashio. Enjoy breathtaking scenery from the windows of the train especially during the Spring (event) and Autumn(event).

Bicycle hire at Kiryu Station nearby Tokyo

Hire a bicycle

JR Kiryu Station has FREE bicycle hire (power-assisted bicycles) which are handy to use for exploring the city.

Learn more about places to visit in Kiryu

Explore Kiryu city in 2-days

To find out how you can enjoy Kiryu city, check out this 2 day itinerary packed with ideas of what to do, where to eat, where to stay and more!

Click Here

2 DAY Itinerary

EATING in Kiryu City

Japanese Food

There are many family run local Japanese restaurants in Tomioka offering Japanese curry and soba dishes.

Western Food

Tomioka is a large city and has a variety of western style restaurants from chains to local family run restaurants and cafes. There is also a popular Matcha ice-cream parlor called Chafe Chakichi offering many different tea flavored Match ice creams.

Okkirikomi

Okkirikomi (おっきりこみ) is a traditional pot dish with flat udon noodles, vegetables, and broth seasoned with miso or soy sauce. The name “Okkirikomi” comes from the method of cutting in the noodles win a specific way.