Jobu Silk Road: Heritage Sites and Sacred Places in Gunma and Saitama
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Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage Site were designated World Heritage Sites in 2014. This article introduces nearby shrines, temples, and silk industry-related destinations worth visiting. Since this area is close to Tokyo, it is an ideal weekend getaway by car!
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Tokyo, Japan
Sightseeing Spots Near the Silk Mill Heritage Site
Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage Site was registered as UNESCO world heritage in 2014. Four cities and towns in Gunma Prefecture, including Tomioka(Tomioka Silk Mill), and three cities in Saitama Prefecture are collectively known as the Jobu Silk Road. There are several silk mill-related sites in this area.
There are also countless shrines and Buddhist temples around these heritage sites. How about visiting a town famous for its historical attractions? You could go for a drive and explore the shrines, temples, and silk mill-related places nearby!
Myogi Shrine in Tomioka City
Photo by Pixta
Mt. Myogi is regarded as one of Japan's Three Great Scenic Mountains. It is located is on the border between Gunma's municipalities of Shimonita and Tomioka. Here, you'll find rocks and stones that have been weathered into unusual shapes.
Located at the eastern base of the mountain facing Tomioka is Myogi Shrine. The sacred site is said to be built in 537.
Photo by Pixta
The main shrine features a Shinto architectural style from the mid-Edo Period. The interior is another sight you won't want to miss.
Myogi Shrine features splendid sculptures and is a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property. Some have even gone as far as calling it "Jomo's Nikko" (*1), referencing the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
In addition to the main building, the shrine's grounds boast numerous national and prefectural designated cultural properties. One famous spiritual spot features three cedar trees, each about 500 years old.
*1 Jomo: the ancient name for present-day Gunma Prefecture.
A Visit to Tomioka Silk Mill and World Heritage Center
Picture courtesy of Tomioka City
You should visit Myogi Shrine alongside the Tomioka Silk Mill. It's only 30 minutes by car from Myogi Shrine.
Don't forget to visit the Gunma Prefectural World Heritage Center (Changing the World with the Power of Silk Thread) Research Center (Sekaito), which is just ten minutes on foot from the Tomioka Silk Mill. The exhibits are easy to understand and highlight Gunma's silk culture and history.
Nakanotake Shrine in Shimonita
Picture courtesy of Shimonita Town
There is a must-visit shrine sitting at the west summit of Mt. Myogi that faces Shimonita Town. Nakanotake Shrine is believed to bring good luck to whomever visits it.
One section of Mt. Myogi, called Todorokiiwa, is an object of worship at the shrine. The spiritual site is unusual because it doesn't have a main hall (honden) housing a tutelary deity. Rather, you'll find a worship hall and a hall of offering.
On the premises is the Nakanotake Daikoku Shrine. This is dedicated to Daikoku: the deity of food, wealth, and prosperity. Goshuin stamps offering protection are also popular among shrine-goers.
You'll even spot an eye-catching, gold-colored statue of Daikoku. It towers 20 meters in height and weighs an impressive 8.5 tons. The construction was funded by donations from parishioners and worshippers, hoping that visitors will be blessed with good luck.
By visiting this sacred spot, you'll be in good spirits, energized, and full of motivation!
A Joint Visit to Arafune Cold Storage and Shimonita Hydrangea Garden
Picture courtesy of Shimonita Town
Arafune Cold Storage is a World Heritage Site that's about a 30-minute drive from Nakanotake Shrine.
This cold storage facility was a natural refrigerator for silkworm eggs. The facility has been preserved and looks just like it did in its heyday (*Closed in the winter from December to late March).
Picture courtesy of Shimonita Town
The Shimonita Hydrangea Garden is another recommended spot. Every year between early June and July, some 20,000 hydrangea flowers are in full bloom.
Koizumi Inari Shrine and Isesaki Shrine in Isesaki City
Picture courtesy of Isesaki City
At Koizumi Inari Shrine, visitors are greeted by a spectacular sight of over 200 Shinto torii gates lining the streets. It is located in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture.
The large torii gate is the tallest in Gunma. There's a constant stream of people snapping photos of it.
Picture courtesy of Isesaki City
We also recommend Isesaki Shrine, a 20-minute drive from Koizumi Inari Shrine.
Ukemochi-no-Kami, the Shinto goddess for food, trade, and industry, is enshrined here. It's constantly crowded with worshippers hoping to attract success in business or prosperity.
A wooden airplane propeller built during the war has been dedicated to the shrine and is on display. It is said to offer visitors safe flights and travels abroad.
In Isesaki, a silk fabric called Isesaki Meisen was produced. For this reason, Isesaki Shrine distributes goshuin booklets (*2) made from Isesaki Meisen and Japanese tosa-washi paper. You can also purchase amulet bags constructed from Isesaki Meisen.
*2 Goshuin booklets: a book for collecting seal stamps at shrines and temples.
Include a Visit to the Former Residence of Yahei Tajima
Photo by Pixta
Please drop by for a visit to the Former Residence of Yahei Tajima. This nationally designated historical site is just 30 minutes by car from Isesaki Shrine.
The home once belonged to Yahei Tajima, who is responsible for perfecting a revolutionary sericulture technique called Seiryoiku. Moreover, the residence is said to be a prototype for modern silk production farmhouses.
Next, we'll go to the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum in Fukaya City. It is a 10-minute drive from the Tajima Residence. This museum houses various artifacts belonging to Eiichi Shibusawa, who poured his heart and soul into establishing the Tomioka Spinning Mill.
These interesting spots should not be missed during your travels.
Kanasana Shrine and Honjo Festival in Honjo
Photo by Pixta
Kanasana Shrine was founded in 541. This sacred spot enshrines Takeru Yamato, a legendary prince from the Yamato Dynasty, and the deities Amaterasu and Susano from Japanese Mythology's "The Three Main Shinto Gods."
The unique Shinto-style architecture features a main hall (honden) and worship hall (haiden) under one roof. Both are connected by the offering hall (heiden), which is simply superb.
Nearby, there's a sacred camphor tree over 350 years old that was designated a Natural Monument by Saitama Prefecture.
Picture courtesy of Honjo City
The Honjo Festival at Kanasana Shrine has been held since the Edo Period. It features one of the most luxurious floats in the northern Kanto region.
These lavish festival floats (dashi) are the highlight of this major event. They are decorated with beautiful sculptures, and elaborate metal carvings finished with gold leaves and lacquer. Among the ten floats, eight have been recognized as cultural properties of Honjo City.
The festival is held annually on November 2 and 3. The gorgeous festival procession, which resembles a lifelike ancient picture scroll, should not be missed.
A Visit to Kyoshinsha Mohan Sanshitsu
Picture courtesy of Honjo City
Kyoshinsha Mohan Sanshitsu is a 20-minute drive from Kanasana Shrine. This is an invaluable historic site when learning about the silk industry's history. It was built by Kuzo Kimura, who dedicated his life to improving sericulture technology.
Structural components suitable to sericulture include high windows to catch sunlight and double sliding paper doors to block light. These ingenious designs still remain in good condition today.
Suwa Shrine and Chiaraijima Lion Dance in Kumagaya
Picture courtesy of Fukaya City
Araijima in Fukaya is known for being the birthplace of Eiichi Shibusawa, coined "the father of Japanese capitalism."
Suwa Shrine, located in the Araijima area, has deep ties to Eiichi Shibusawa.
During the shrine's annual autumn festival, the Araijima Lion Dance is performed. This dance has been performed for generations throughout Eiichi Shibusawa's family lineage.
Picture courtesy of Fukaya City
For this reason, Eiichi often performed the lion dance as a young child. In his later years, he looked forward to returning home to join the dance. It is said that he continued to have great affection for the lion dance his entire life.
The shrine's worship hall was also donated by Shibusawa and is definitely worth taking a look.
Visit the Former Eiichi Shibusawa Residence and Birth Home of Junchu Odaka
Picture courtesy of Fukaya City
Just seven minutes on foot from Suwa Shrine is where you'll find the Former Eiichi Shibusawa Residence (Nakanchi). This household is where Eiichi was born and raised.
An additional five-minute drive from here is the Junchu Odaka Residence. This is the birthplace of Junchu Odaka, Eiichi's cousin who served as his teacher and mentor.
Be sure to include these stops on your trip as well.
Menuma Shodenzan Temple in Kumagaya
Picture courtesy of Kumagaya City
Located in Kumagaya, Menuma Shodenzan Temple is one of Japan's three great Shoden (Buddhist guardian deity) temples. It's revered for bestowing good luck on worshippers seeking a suitable marriage partner.
The present-day honden, or main hall, was built in 1799. Its decorative architecture will remind you of Nikko's Toshogu Shrine. It was also designated a Japanese National Treasure.
Include a Visit to the Katakura Silk Commemorative Museum
Picture courtesy of Katakura Industries Co., Ltd.
The Katakura Silk Commemorative Museum is a 20-minute drive from Menuma Shodenzan Temple. This facility belongs to Katakura Industries Company, which operated the Tomioka Silk Mill.
The museum features spinning mills that were originally used at the Kumagaya factory. In addition to silk-reeling machinery, photos and other exhibits explaining the silk thread's production process are on display. These artifacts both highlight and preserve the silk industry's precious history.
See the Historical Attractions Along the Silk Road
The Jobu Silk Road has many silk industry attractions, including the Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage Site. Other notable highlights are historical shrines and Buddhist temples along the way.
Although it may be a challenge to visit all of the destinations, we recommend stopping by a handful of places that pique your interest. While taking in the seasonal landscape, why not go for a drive along the Jobu Silk Road?
For more information about historic sites and museums around the Jobu Silk Road alongside silk industry-related heritage sites, please read the articles below.
Written by Moeko Sugata
Sponsored by JOBU KINUNOMICHI
Main image by Pixta
Written by
Tokyo, Japan
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