Silk Fact Okaya
Silk Fact Okaya is the only museum in Japan where visitors can view silk-spinning at the adjoining silk mill while learning about the history of the development of the silk-spinning industry.
Formerly, from the beginning of the Meiji period until after WWII, Okaya in the Suwa area was the world’s leading producer of silk.
At this facility, visitors can learn about the history of silk and about why this area prospered as a silk manufacturing town.
The museum holds special exhibitions showing the progress of the Japanese silk-spinning industry from opening of Yokohama Port through to the founding of the world heritage Tomioka Silk Mill and the development of Silk Capital Okaya. When visiting, we recommend taking a free guided tour.
At the adjoining silk mill, visitors can view the actual operation of silk reeling machines unchanged since the heyday of silk-spinning.
A popular souvenir is a facial cleanser made using only high-quality silk from cocoons. The cleanser is made by extracting highly-pure silk fibroin (a type of protein). It is fragrance-free, color-free, made with no synthetic surfactants, and is gentle on your skin.
Okaya Silk Museum “Silk Fact Okaya”
1-4-8 Goda, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture
TEL: +81-(0)266-23-3489
http://silkfact.jp/
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Regular holidays: Closed Wednesdays, the day after national holidays, and from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3
[COVID-19 Countermeasures]
We are implementing the following measures in response to the spread of COVID-19 infections.
・Mask wearing
・Hand and finger disinfection
・Body temperature measurements
・Visitor card entries
・Social distancing during tours
・Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 members at a time; Groups are admitted in 10-min intervals.
・In the Dynamic exhibition area, tours are provided through plastic curtains to prevent droplet infections.
・Mayu-chan Studio workshops, the “Getting to Know Silkworms” Sericulture Room, and the hands-on area are temporary closed.
・Food and drink are forbidden in the Silk Plaza.
・Guided tours are temporarily suspended on national holidays and every Saturday and Sunday.
・Demonstrations of French-type silk reeling machines are temporarily suspended on the second Saturday of every month.
・The museum is subject to temporary closure due to infections.
・We will continue to post museum status updates on our homepage and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), etc. You are also free to contact us directly.