Four Itchy Feet

October 1, 2025. Tamioka, Japan.

Today, we drove to the small town of Tomioka in Gunma Prefecture to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites. The Mill was integral to silk production in the late 1800s when Japan was forced to industrialize its production of silk in order to compete in the developing world silk trade.

The property is in an ongoing restoration phase, but there are plenty of areas accessible to visitor that illustrate the transfer of French sericultural (silkworm-rearing) and industrial silk-reeling techniques to Japan. Entrance is 1000 yen or about $7 dollars. We had a wonderful time exploring and learning about silk making, the rich history behind it, and the cultural aspects of the trade. The museum facilities are expertly curated and provide a wealth of information. There is also a comprehensive audio guide that can be downloaded on you phone to listen throughout the visit. We had a great visit and encourage anyone visiting to set aside a day to explore Tamioka and the Silk Mill Museum.