A day trip from Tokyo! A private guided tour of the World Heritage Site, Tomioka Silk Mill, and the town

A special walking tour tracing the development and history of Tomioka Silk Mill and the town

Tomioka , home to the Tomioka Silk Mill , is a city rich in history. From the Tomioka's origins dating back about 400 years to the Tomioka Silk Mill, which contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan, take a stroll through the history of Tomioka, connecting its past to its future!

While enjoying sweets containing Tomioka silk, a local specialty, and other local foods, you will learn about the deep history of Tomioka , known only to local guides.

The highlight is the West Cocoon Warehouse , a national treasure located within the Tomioka Silk Mill, which had its grand opening in 2020 after six years of preservation and maintenance work. This is an area that is not normally open for commentary, and we will guide you through traces of its operation that are difficult to notice on a self-guided tour, such as Japan's oldest iron water tank, which was made using shipbuilding techniques and can only be seen from the second-floor balcony.

In this article, we will introduce in detail the appeal of the " Tomioka Through Guided Tour," where you can enjoy history, architecture, food, and interactions with people all in one place.

Learn more about private guided tours

• Table of Contents
• Tour Attraction 1: A walk through the town where you can experience history firsthand
• Tour Appeal ②: Spending time interacting with locals
• Tour Appeal 3: Reliable support even for first-time visitors to Japan
• Summary: Experiences that will make your trip to Tomioka even more special
• Tour Overview

Tour Attraction 1: A walk through the town where you can experience history firsthand

The unique feature of private tours is that they are "flexible walking tours of the city" where local professional guides take participants on tours tailored to their interests. In addition to visiting famous tourist spots, you can also explore stories and landscapes that only locals know, allowing you to enjoy discovering new things as you go.

As the guide talks about what it was like back then, the cobblestone streets and old architecture will emerge not as mere scenery, but as "memories that transcend time."

Tour Appeal ②: Spending time interacting with locals

The biggest feature of a through guided tour is that the focus of the journey is not just on visiting tourist attractions, but also on interacting with local people.

During the tour, you will be taken to a shop selling locally loved soul food, including vegetarian options, handmade rice crackers, and a restaurant serving the same curry rice that the factory girl at Tomioka Silk Mill actually ate.

Tour Appeal 3: Reliable support even for first-time visitors to Japan

This tour has guides who can speak multiple languages, including English and Chinese, so even first-time visitors to Japan can join with confidence. The flexible guides are able to adapt to the participants' pace and interests, overcoming language barriers and bringing out the joy of the trip.

Summary: Experiences that will make your trip to Tomioka even more special

The Tomioka City through guided tour is a style of travel that should be called an "experience" rather than "sightseeing." The time spent experiencing history, life, and conversations with people all come together and is sure to enrich your travel memories.

Why not come to Tomioka and experience the charm of a quietly thriving Japanese countryside?

Tour Overview

Tour operating dates:
All year round (except Wednesdays, December 29th to January 3rd)

Reservation:
Reservation required *10 days in advance for Japanese language reservations *20 days in advance for foreign language reservations

Same-day booking:
Not possible

Usage time:
Please let us know your desired departure time on the reservation form.
*Please note that in some cases we may ask you to change the date and time.

Tour duration:
Approximately 3 hours (adjustable from 1.5 to 4 hours)

(Model schedule)
9:45 Walk around the city (departing from Tomioka Station)
10:15 Visit to Tomioka Silk Mill
11:45 Eating and shopping
12:45 Disbandment *Times are for illustrative purposes only. The itinerary can be customized to suit your needs.

Number of people:
Accepted for groups of 2 or more.
If there are more than 11 people, we will split into several groups.
*Please contact us if you are a group of 21 or more.

Price including tax:

If you would like to book a Japanese-language tour,
2 people 17,000 yen
11 people 45,000 yen
For the third person and 12th person and onwards, an additional 2,000 yen will be charged for each additional person. *2Please consult with us if there are more than 21 people.

If you would like to book an English or Chinese-language tour,
2 people 75,000 yen
11 people 160,000 yen
For the third person and 12th person and onwards, an additional 2,000 yen will be charged for each additional person. *2Please consult with us if there are more than 21 people.

*Includes the fee for the tour of the Tomioka Silk Mill and the fee for eating gourmet food (approximately 3 types).
*Free for preschool children. Fees apply for elementary school students and above.

How to use:
Online reservations only. We do not accept reservations over the phone.

Notes:
*The price includes gourmet food (approximately 3 types) and a tour of the Tomioka Silk Mill.
*If you have a preference for where the tour will finish, please let us know when you make your reservation.
*Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any accidents that occur during the tour.
*Please cooperate by taking measures to protect yourself from the cold and bringing rain gear.
*If you plan to eat or shop, please prepare cash. (Payment must be made in cash. There are convenience stores with ATMs along the itinerary.)

Access:
From Tokyo Station to Tomioka Station :
Tokyo Station (Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen) - Takasaki Station (Joshin Railway) - Tomioka Station (approx. 95 minutes)

From Niigata Station to Tomioka Station
Niigata Station (Joetsu) - Takasaki Station (Joshin Dentetsu) - Tomioka Station (approx. 120 minutes)

From Kanazawa Station to Tomioka Station
Kanazawa Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) - Takasaki Station (Joshin Dentetsu) - Tomioka Station (approx. 170 minutes)

[2-10 people] Apply for a private tour here

[11-20 people] Apply for a private tour here