6 Recommended Local Souvenirs to Buy at Otomichan's House in Tomioka , Gunma Prefecture Tomioka City

• Table of Contents
• What is the downtown tourist and souvenir shop "Otomichan's House"?
• Recommended Souvenirs (Gourmet Edition)
• Recommended Souvenirs (Sweets)
• Recommended souvenirs (goods and local specialties)
• summary

What is the downtown tourist and souvenir shop "Otomichan's House"?

Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture , is known for the Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Heritage Site. The downtown tourist and souvenir shop, Otomichan's House, is located in the shopping district, about a five-minute walk from the silk mill. As its name suggests, it is a facility that combines a souvenir shop and a tourist information center.

"Otomi-chan," who welcomes visitors, is a Tomioka City mascot modeled after a female factory worker who once worked at the silk mill. She was born in 2012, the 140th anniversary of the company's founding, but she has always been 14 years old.

Visit the official "Otomichan's House" website

As a tourist information center

Once you enter the tourist information area, you'll find an array of pamphlets and brochures about tourist spots and events in the Tomioka area. In addition to tourist information, the center also offers useful information and services to help you enjoy Tomioka to the fullest, such as accepting applications for admission to the Tomioka Silk Mill with pets.

They provide thorough guidance to help tourists from all over Japan, as well as people visiting from overseas, get to know Tomioka.

For customers who visit with their pets, there is also a "paw stamp" corner where you can get a cute paw print as a souvenir.

*Prices are as of the time of interview.

As a product hall

The shop area is lined with a wide variety of Tomioka souvenirs. Just browsing the store, you can get a feel for the atmosphere of the town of Tomioka, with silk products unique to this town of silk mills, local specialties such as konjac, and products from popular stores familiar to the city.

In this article, we will introduce three "products that are popular with tourists" as chosen by the sales staff, as well as three "recommended products" based on the arbitrary and biased opinions of the writer, a Tomioka resident.

Recommended Souvenirs (Gourmet Edition)

[Popular with tourists] Okkirikomi

Okkirikomi is a Gunma Prefecture specialty that is also popular in Tomioka. It features flat, wide noodles. The most recommended product is this one, which is labeled "Officially Approved by the Tourist Association."

The ingredients are made with Tomioka's specialty konjac, shiitake mushrooms, and green onions, and the noodles contain Tomioka silk. It comes with plenty of ingredients and a soup, so you can easily enjoy the local flavor by simply putting it in a pot and simmering it. It also makes a great little gift.

1 serving: 1,200 yen (tax included)

*Prices are as of December 2025.

[Recommended by a local writer] Handmade "Kushikon"

Konjac is a very familiar ingredient to the people of Tomioka . It is enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as in stews or made into fruit-flavored jelly. One of the most popular ways is "kushi konjac," which is warm konjac skewered and dipped in sweet miso sauce, a simple and nostalgic taste that is truly reminiscent of home.

This product can also be eaten simply by heating it and adding the sauce. It is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, so you can eat a lot without worrying. It is also a recommended souvenir for those who value beauty and health.

1 bag 540 yen (tax included)

*Prices are as of December 2025.

Recommended Souvenirs (Sweets)

[Popular with tourists] Otomi-chan Sable

This classic sweet features an eye-catching illustration of Otomi-chan and a picture of the Tomioka Silk Mill , a symbol of Tomioka . When we asked the shop staff about their most popular items, the first one they mentioned was the Otomi-chan Sable. It's a signature product unique to Otomichan's House. In addition to the boxed version, they also have smaller bags, making it an easy item for anyone to pick up.

Each sable has an illustration of Otomi-chan on it. When you eat it, it has a nice crisp texture and a strong buttery flavor. It's simple and delicious, and you'll never get tired of it.

5 sheets: 400 yen / 10 sheets: 900 yen / 20 sheets: 1,800 yen (all prices include tax)

*Prices are as of December 2025.

[Recommended by a citizen writer] Kaiko no Kokugoku

The people of Tomioka, where sericulture and silk-reeling were thriving, treasured the silkworms that provided them with food, calling them "Okaiko-sama." "Kaiko no Oukoku" is a confectionery that realistically depicts the image of this "Okaiko-sama."

*Below is a photo of a sweet that looks very similar to a sea urchin larva. Please be careful if you don't like it.

Its impact is so strong that you'll never forget it once you see it, but its appeal isn't limited to its appearance. The white chocolate is accented with cranberries, and you can enjoy the texture of the puffs. The mulberry leaf-shaped chocolate is made using real mulberry leaves. Tasting it after touring the Tomioka Silk Mill is a treat that will leave an even stronger impression on you about the history of the silk industry.

2 pieces: 670 yen / 4 pieces: 1,160 yen (all prices include tax)

*Prices are as of December 2025.

Recommended souvenirs (goods and local specialties)

[Recommended for tourists] Silk soap

This soap is made with plenty of Tomioka silk. The protein components in silk are said to leave skin feeling moisturized and smooth after washing. It does not contain any synthetic surfactants or foaming agents, so it can be used by babies. Another plus is that it lasts longer than regular bar soap.

When you actually lather it up, you'll be surprised at how bouncy and elastic the foam is. It's a very gentle cleanser.

Available in body and face sizes, it's perfect for both personal use and as a gift.

Mini 12g 580 yen / Medium 40g 2100 yen / Regular 80g 3800 yen (all prices include tax)

*Prices are as of December 2025.

[Recommended by a citizen writer] Este Mayu

This is a face beauty product unique to Tomioka that uses the "cocoon balls" made by Kaiko. The cocoon balls are soaked in hot water to soften them, then placed on your fingers and gently massaged onto your skin after washing your face to remove dirt and dead skin cells from your pores. Cocoon balls are made up of fine, twisted protein threads, so they are gentle on the skin and effectively remove dullness.

When used in combination with silk soap, it is sure to leave your skin moist and smooth. The benefits of "Okaikosama" are not only beneficial for silk fabrics, but also for beauty.

1 bag 550 yen (tax included)

*Prices are as of December 2025.

summary

Tourist and souvenir shop "Otomichan's House"

1115-1 Tomioka , Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture

0274-67-0103 (Products Center) 0274-62-6001 (Tourist Information Center)

Visit the official "Otomichan's House" website

Tomioka Silk Mill has a long history since it began operations in 1872 (Meiji 5). Not only can you see the historic site itself, but the people who live here also exude the culture and atmosphere of a town that values ​​its history. Otomichan's House is a place where you can learn about this " Tomioka -ness" from various angles.

At Otomichan's House, you can check tourist information at the beginning of your trip and buy souvenirs on your way back. If you're visiting Tomioka, why not stop by here and enjoy Tomioka to the fullest?

Tomioka Thread Mill

1-1 Tomioka, Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture 370-2316

Founded in 1872 (Meiji 5), Tomioka Silk Mill is a model government-run factory that supported Japan's modernization. Buildings from the time of the mill's founding, such as the red brick East and West Cocoon Warehouses and the Silk Reeling Plant, still remain, allowing visitors to experience the history of manufacturing firsthand. In 2014, the mill was registered as a World Heritage Site, and it has become a popular tourist spot where visitors can learn about the progress of Japan's Industrial Revolution while strolling through the town.