Dress Like Tomioka Factory Girls

Tomioka Silk Mill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at the heart of Japan’s industrial revolution. Opened in 1872, this pioneering silk factory operated for an impressive 115 years and played a crucial role in shaping Japan’s modernization. It was one of the first places in the country to employ women outside the home for wages, making it a landmark in the history of Japan’s first career women.

Affectionately known as "factory girls," young women from across Japan honed their skills in silk reeling at Tomioka Silk Mill. Their dexterous hands were entrusted with producing high-quality raw silk, a key export driving Japan’s industrial growth. Dressed in traditional kimonos with hakama, a pleated skirt-like garment once worn by samurai and martial artists, these women embodied both elegance and resilience.

To truly immerse yourself in this bygone era, step into the shoes of a factory girl on her day off. Visit Asaya Kimono Store to don a retro-modern hakama, then wander the charming streets of Tomioka, and the silk mill, soaking in its historic ambiance.