Tomioka City

Index

Highlights of Tomioka City

Tomioka City is an enchanting city nestled in Gunma, Japan, 2 hours from Tokyo.

With a rich cultural heritage, Tomioka is home to the iconic Tomioka Silk Mill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting the city’s historical significance in silk production which contributed to Japan’s modernization.

Visitors with children may also be excited to know that Tomioka has a Safari Park and a Natural History Museum where children can meet many life size dinosaurs.

Tomioka is also home to Mt. Myogi a unique looking rocky mountain offering challenging hiking courses and sakura viewing in early April.

The easiest way to visit Tomioka City from Tokyo is by train or by car. By train take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to JR Takasaki station and change to Joshin Dentetsu Line and get off at Joshu-Tomioka Station (approx 2 hours). By car it is about 1.5 hours drive.

Inside Tomioka Silk factory nearby Tokyo (UNESCO World Heritage site)

Tomioka City Nyuko Sunflower Field (just by Lake Nyuko)

"大" (means big) Japanese Character on Mt. Miyogi in Tomioka City

Inside Tomioka City Silk Mill warehouse (UNESCO world heritage)

Dinosaur display at Gunma Prefectural Museum of Natural History

Okkirikomi (Okirikomi) a noodle dish in Tomioka

Access

From Tokyo

From Airports

Haneda Intl. Airport

Narita Intl. Airport

Main Stations

Videos of Tomioka City

The 4 seasons of Tomioka

10 things to do in Tomioka City

Tomioka Silk Mill

Tomioka Silk Mill at Night

Things to DO in Tomioka City

Tomioka City Silk Mill (UNESCO world heritage)

Tomioka Silk Mill UNESCO World Heritage

Tomioka Silk Mill (富岡製糸場) is a UNESCO World Heritage site completed in 1872. It was Japan's first modern silk reeling factory and played a pivotal role in the country's silk industry during the Meiji era. Visit to learn how the mill's advanced machinery and production techniques revolutionized silk manufacturing and contributed to Japan's rapid industrialization.

Sekaito (museum about the silk industry around Tomioka City)

World Heritage Site Visitor Center SEKAITO

Sekaito (セカイト) is a museum built to introduce Gunma's silk industry and the World Heritage sites (Tomioka Silk Mill and related sites) nearby. It has many interactive displays where visitors can enjoy learning the history and culture related to silk from a global perspective in an easy-to-understand manner.

Mt. Myogi

Mt. Myogi is a prominent mountain between Annaka, Shimonita, and Tomioka. It is known for its unique rockface and is considered one of Japan's top three destinations for rugged beauty. The mountain offers various hiking trails, and visitors can enjoy breathtaking views during the foliage season. The highest peak reaches 1,103 meters (3,619 feet).

Gunma Museum of Natural History

Learn about the origin of the earth, the history of nature, the evolution of life, and the nature and environment of Gunma Prefecture.

There is a moving life-size model of a Tyrannosaurus popular with children.

Animals

Another popular destination for families with children is the Gunma Safari Park. The safari park offers many zones where visitors can see animals from around the world as well as take part in many fun seasonal activities.

Lake Nyuko

Lake Nyuko (丹生湖) is a lake formed by the Nyu Dam. It's a beautiful sight to see the lake's surface reflect Mt. Myogi and the cherry blossoms by the lake. There is also a sunflower field with approximately 110,000 flowers which bloom from late July to early August.

Learn more about places to visit in Tomioka

Things to do in Tomioka
- A chat with Tomioka city tourism

Learn more about Tomioka from a chat we had with locals (the city's tourism office).

Click Here

Interview

UNESCO World Heritage
- Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sights -

Learn why Tomioka Silk Mill was built and how it had an important row in Japan's industrialization.

Click Here

UNESCO

EATING in Tomioka 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.