Amazing Artisan Crafts and History! A Trip to Takasaki and Tomioka
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The cities of Takasaki and Tomioka are ideal destinations for those who love Japan’s handicrafts. Visit Shorinzan Darumaji Temple, which stands at the origin of Takasaki’s iconic Daruma doll making tradition, Tomioka Silk Mill, a world heritage site, and charming dining and accommodation facilities....
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Tokyo, Japan
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
Takasaki and Tomioka: Japanese Handicrafts and Heritage Sites
If you love Japan’s traditional crafts and would like to learn more about the meanings and history behind them, we recommend taking a trip to Takasaki and Tomioka. These two cities can be easily reached by train from Tokyo.
In Takasaki, you’ll find artisan crafts so deeply rooted in local culture that they’ve become icons of the city. We also introduce a place where you can even enjoy a hands-on experience! Tomioka, on the other hand, is home to the world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, and a magnificent local shrine. We also feature a cafe with excellent matcha green tea sweets.
Find other great destinations near Takasaki on Visit Gunma
Day One
From Tokyo to Takasaki
Takasaki can be reached in less than one hour by bullet train from Tokyo. Take the Joetsu Shinkansen departing at 9:10 from Ueno Station and you’ll be reaching Takasaki at 9:51.
Our first recommended destination is Shorinzan Darumaji Temple, or the Daruma Temple, which can be reached in a few minutes by taxi from Takasaki Station (*You can easily find a taxi at both station exits). Alternatively, you can reach the temple by local bus in about 20 minutes.
Shorinzan Darumaji Temple: The Origins of Takasaki's Daruma Doll's Tradition
From the moment you arrive in Takasaki, you’ll notice images of Daruma dolls around the station. Daruma dolls are modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition. In Takasaki, there are about 60 artisan studios specialized in Daruma dolls. These objects are considered auspicious and have become the symbol of Takasaki.
The roots of Takasaki’s Daruma doll tradition are deeply connected to Shorinzan Darumaji Temple. Founded by a Chinese Buddhist monk and dedicated to Bodhidharma, an Indian saint, Shorinzan Darumaji has been a temple with connections to the world outside the borders of Japan.
The monks at this temple started creating Daruma dolls about two centuries ago. These miniature images of Bodhidharma are thought to bring good fortune because auspicious symbols are hidden in their design. The eyebrows of the doll are shaped like cranes facing each other, while its beard and mustache are shaped like turtles. The crane and turtle combination is a cherished Japanese symbol of happiness and longevity that can be found on various traditional objects, including kimonos, tableware, wedding and anniversary gifts, New Year’s postcards, and many other artisan craft items.
Following a volcanic eruption of Mt. Asama that occurred about 200 years ago, the fields in the region were covered with a 30-cm layer of ash; this ruined the crops and left the local population in dire straits. The Shorinzan monks taught the people how to make Daruma dolls, which they could sell to visitors from the outside and thus earn a living. Making Daruma dolls thus became a side job for many local farmers.
Nowadays, it is customary to buy a Daruma doll, often at the beginning of a new year, and draw its right pupil while making a prayer. People often pray for good health and business prosperity during the year. After doing one’s best for the wish to come true, it is customary to fill in the left pupil of the doll and return it to the temple for it to be ritually burned.
At Shorinzan Darumaji Temple, you’ll be able to see Daruma dolls of various sizes and colors. Do pick up one as a memento of your visit from the souvenir shop. Take the time to stroll around the temple precincts and appreciate the beautiful architecture of the buildings and the garden.
Paint the Face of Your Own Daruma Doll at Imai Daruma Shop NAYA!
Imai Daruma Shop NAYA is an artisan studio specialized in Daruma dolls. Here, you can take part in a workshop tour to see the craftspeople at work and Daruma dolls in various stages of their making.
Daruma dolls are made of recycled paper stiffened with a glue mix; this is what makes them incredibly light. After being shaped they are exposed to sunlight and wind in order to dry. The last stage consists of painting the Daruma. While the double crane-turtle motif is the same for all Daruma dolls, each studio has a distinctive way of drawing it and it might be fun to try to notice the style differences.
At Imai Daruma Shop NAYA, you can try your hand at painting the face of a Daruma doll after watching a demonstration by the artisans. It may seem easy, but see what happens when you try to draw those cranes and turtles symmetrical!
This incredibly fun experience can be enjoyed in about 15 minutes. English guidance is available. It costs 1,500 yen and you get to keep your Daruma doll. The studio can accommodate from two to ten persons for a workshop but please make a reservation in advance by phone or email.
The Impressive Byakue Dai-Kannon Statue
While in Takasaki, you will probably notice the large white statue standing on a hill to the west of the station. This is the Byakue Dai-Kannon, a 41.8 meter tall statue of Kannon Bodhisattva, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The statue is located on the precincts of Jigenin Temple, which was established in mid-Kamakura period, around 1250.
The Byakue Dai-Kannon Statue was erected in 1936 at the wish of Inoue Yasusaburo, a local magnate who wanted to raise the spirits of the citizens during the troubled years of the 30s, a time filled with the signs of an imminent war.
The statue can also be visited on the inside! There are 20 statues of Buddhist deities and saints located on nine floors. Among them is a statue of Kannon that fell and broke during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Since this was the only statue that was damaged during the earthquake, people came to believe that it sacrificed itself in order for the Dai-Kannon Statue and all the other smaller statues inside it to remain unharmed.
There are windows on each floor of the Dai-Kannon offering views of Takasaki and the great mountain ranges surrounding it.
Take some time to visit the precincts of Jigenin Temple. Its main hall is home to one thousand Kannon statues donated to the temple on the 50th anniversary of the Byakue Dai-Kannon. Ichirodo is an elegant tea house adjoining the temple where visitors can enjoy lunch or tea time. In fact, there are several family-owned dining places lining the way to the temple, so do stop here for lunch.
Stay Overnight at the Elegant Hotel Grand View Takasaki
Hotel Grand View Takasaki is a stylish hotel whose design combines traditional Japanese elements with ultramodern architecture. The rooms at Hotel Grand View Takasaki are very spacious and equipped with high-quality amenities. The Standard Rooms are ideal for travelers who seek a comfortable stay in Takasaki, while the Suite rooms will surely guests who wish to enjoy a truly relaxing, luxury stay.
Both types of rooms feature a stylish design with decorative details using local artisanal crafts. Those who travel a lot will be delighted to hear that every room is provided with an electric massage chair. Moreover, the bathtubs are provided with a television set, and you can enjoy your bath while watching TV!
The hotel has an elegant spa facility on the top floor, where guests can unwind at the end of the day by taking a relaxing hot spring bath. The facility is provided with saunas and fully furnished powder rooms.
Guests can enjoy dinner at Mikumano, a kaiseki and teppanyaki cuisine restaurant located on the fourth floor. The kaiseki cuisine menu features seasonal dishes made with flavorful ingredients grown locally. Every dish is a small work of art that tastes as good as it looks.
Most of the seats at Mikumano are located in private rooms with a beautifully decorated alcove and a view of the rooftop garden.
Breakfast can be enjoyed at the restaurant on the first floor. The well-balanced breakfast menu consists of delicious dishes that will give you energy for another day of exploration.
Day Two
From Takasaki Station to Tomioka
Our recommended destination for the second day is Tomioka, home to the World Heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill. This city can be reached by taking a train on the Joshin Railway from Takasaki Station. Please note that the platform is located on the first floor of the station, and that you’ll need to purchase a paper ticket before boarding (810 yen). If you take the 9:25 train, you’ll be reaching Joshu-Tomioka Station at 10:05.
A History Walk at Tomioka Silk Mill
Tomioka Silk Mill started operations in 1872 as Japan’s first modern silk reeling facility. In the beginning, it was owned by the government and the French engineer Paul Brunat was appointed head of the operations.
Most of the buildings erected then, including the East Cocoon Warehouse and West Cocoon Warehouse, the Director’s House (also known as the Brunat House, one of the first Western-style residences built in Japan), and the French Female Instructors’ House, can still be seen today.
We suggest visiting the exhibition rooms on the first floor of the East Cocoon Warehouse first in order to get acquainted with the history of Tomioka Silk Mill. Here, you can watch videos and view documents that tell the story of how Tomioka Silk Mill was built.
Visit the second floor of the East Cocoon Warehouse to see one of the warehouses where silk cocoons used to be stored. The walls still preserve the distinctive organic smell of cocoons.
Visit the Silk-Reeling Plant next to get a glimpse of the reeling machines. The sheer size of this building is impressive! Some of the machinery inside dates back to the early Meiji Period, although new machinery was introduced around the middle of the twentieth century.
The West Cocoon Warehouse has an exhibition room with displays showing glimpses of the workers' life at the factory at various stages of its history. From these exhibits, you can learn more about the modern working environment that made it possible for female employees to work at Tomioka Silk Mill.
The Director’s House, which was converted into an educational facility and ceremony hall after Brunat’s return to France in 1875, as well as the workers’ dormitory, are also worth viewing from close.
Sericulture is still practiced in Tomioka, though on a considerably smaller scale. At the souvenir shops on the first floor of the East Cocoon Warehouse, you can find beautiful products made by local silk farmers. The line-up includes silk scarves and accessories, as well as cosmetics made with silk.
Tomioka Silk Mill can be toured with a free multilingual audio guide that can be accessed by scanning a QR code at the entrance. The audio guide is available in English, French, Chinese, and Korean.
Traveling to Joshu-Ichinomiya Station
One of the most beautiful shrines in eastern Japan is located in Tomioka, a short walk away from Joshu Ichinomiya Station. We suggest taking the Joshin Railway train departing at 13:30 to reach Joshu-Ichinomiya Station at 13:37. From here, it’s a 15-minute walk to Nukisaki-jinja Shrine, but be prepared for a short hike as it’s located on top of a hill north of the station.
Nukisaki-jinja Shrine: Marvel at Splendid Shrine Architecture!
Nukisaki-jinja Shrine was established in the sixth century AD and is dedicated to two deities: Futsunushi-no-kami, the deity of martial arts, and Hime-okami, thought to be the protector of weavers and silkworm farmers.
The current buildings date back to 1635 when they were rebuilt by order of the third Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651). The architectural style resembles that of the Iemitsu’s mausoleum located at Rinnoji Temple in Nikko. While gorgeously decorated with detailed carvings, the design has a subdued elegance.
The romon gate, the main shrine hall, and the prayer hall have been designated National Treasures. The shrine has a Treasure Hall that can be visited 10:00 - 15:00; the exhibits include precious bronze mirrors dating from the Nara period (710-784).
Chafe Chakichi: Taste Exquisite Green Tea Gelato!
Chakichi, a tea shop offering green tea desserts, opened in 2015 in a renovated Japanese house. It is operated by a tea specialty shop that handles green tea from the Kawane area of Shizuoka.
In the cozy interior, you can enjoy freshly brewed green tea and sweets. Chakichi is famous for its green tea gelato. There are at least 14 types of gelato lining up in their showcase, of which six flavors are various degrees of matcha green tea gelato, from the most subtle one up to an extreme matcha flavor.
We recommend trying the Kiki Gelato 5-ten Mori, a menu that allows you to compare five types of gelato. We tried two types of matcha gelato, with one being the “extreme matcha” one--a must-try for green tea lovers! The hojicha roasted tea flavor was very mild and fragrant, while the gyokuro tea and genmaicha flavors were a true surprise! We never had these flavors as gelato before. Gyokuro is a high quality tea with an elegant aroma and sweetness, while genmaicha contains roasted rice, which gives it a distinctive fragrance; these flavors were well reflected by the gelatos.
The sencha tea is served in a kyusu pot, and you get to pour the hot water yourself after it reaches the ideal temperature. This way, you get to enjoy truly flavorful green tea!
The dessert menu at Chakichi includes an incredible variety of parfaits, anmitsu desserts, and pancakes. Their tea-flavored roll cakes are available for take-out and are ideal as souvenirs from your visit to Tomioka.
Gunma Destinations That You'll Want to Visit Again!
In order to return to Tokyo, take the Joshin Railway line to Takasaki and then a Shinkansen back to Ueno Station.
Takasaki and Tomioka showcase the cultural richness of the Joshu region through artisanal crafts and traditional cuisine that have been handed down for centuries. There is plenty to explore on a second visit, including the magnificent Myogi-jinja Shrine located at the foot of Mt. Myogi, a sacred peak, so do consider coming again!
You can find other wonderful locations nearby by using Visit Gunma, a website that specializes in Gunma travel information. This site has a convenient Trip Planner function that makes planning your itinerary extremely easy and fun.
Plan your trip with Visit Gunma
Written by Ramona Taranu
Sponsored by Gunma Prefecture
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
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