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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Tomioka
富岡
Spend a half‑day in Tomioka to see the UNESCO Silk Mill and nearby shrine; one full day is enough for the zoo and museum.
Tomioka, in southwestern Gunma, offers a compact set of attractions – the historic Silk Mill (UNESCO), Nukisaki Shrine, Gunma Safari Park and a natural history museum – all reachable by the non‑JR Jōshin Line. A single day covers the main sights; a half‑day works if you only visit the mill and shrine.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 富岡
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tomioka Silk Mill entry | ¥1,000 |
| Gunma Safari Park entry | ¥2,700 |
| Gunma Museum of Natural History entry | ¥510 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TAK · Takasaki Airport
- Domestic airport with limited service; nearest to Tomioka (≈20 km (12 mi)).Domestic airport with limited service; nearest to Tomioka (≈12 mi (20 km)).
Typical fares
- Takasaki → Jōshū‑Tomioka (Jōshin Line)
- ¥790, 40 min, one‑way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Jōshin Railway (40 min, ¥790 one‑way) is the main link; free bike rentals at several stations. No IC‑card acceptance; buy tickets on board or at stations.
See and do
Known for
- Tomioka Silk Mill
- Nukisaki Shrine
- Gunma Safari Park
- Gunma Museum of Natural History
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Takasaki | Jōshin Line from Jōshū‑Tomioka, about 20 min, ¥790 one‑way | ≈30 min total |
| Shimonita | Jōshin Line northbound, 3 stops, about 25 min, ¥790 | ≈45 min |
| Annaka | Jōshin Line southbound, 2 stops, about 15 min, ¥790 | ≈35 min |
Sleep
- Takasaki hotels
- Nearest city with many options; 15‑20 min by Jōshin Line to Tomioka.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Jōshin Line not covered by JR Pass; use Tokyo Wide Pass if eligible.
- IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) not accepted on the line.
- Safari Park closed Wednesdays; check opening dates.
Generally safe; stay alert at crossings and watch for occasional summer heat.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tomioka yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tomioka Silk Mill
- Nukisaki Shrine
- Gunma Safari Park
- Gunma Museum of Natural History
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata Tomioka: www.city.tomioka.lg.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Tomioka, revision 5238579 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5238579
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/tomioka). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.