Okaya Silk Museum “Silk Fact Okaya” : 岡谷蚕糸博物館 シルクファクトおかや
Silk Museum Adjacent to an Actual Operating Silk Factory
Suwa
Description
During the Meiji, Taisho and Showa eras (late-19th to mid-20th centuries), the Okaya area was one of the largest silk thread producing areas in the world. The Okaya silk Museum is dedicated to conveying that history. Actual silk production can be seen in the adjacent silk factory.
In August, 2014, the museum relocated adjacent to a real, operating silk factory, making it the only such silk museum in the world. The silk production (‘factory’) and silk history (‘facts’) combination is the reason behind the new nickname “Silk Fact Okaya”.
Details
- Hours
- 09:00-17:00 (Silk Factory tours available 09:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00)
- Date(s)
- Closed Wednesdays and the day following national holidays. (Occasionally closed to change exhibitions.)
- Entrance Price
- Adults 500, Middle and High School 300, Elementary School 150. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.
- Time Required
- 1 hour
- Reservations
- Required(Required for groups. For individuals that make appointments ahead of time, personalized explanation of the facilities can be provided.)
- Capacity
- 200
- Foreign Languages
- (English explanation being planned.)
- Luggage Storage
- Available
Notes
For large groups, up to 150 people can be accommodated however explanation and guidance is done for up to 30 people at a time.
Contact
tel : +81(0)266-23-3489fax : +81(0)266-22-3675Official site
Access / Location
- By Train
- From Okaya Station(JR Chuo Line), 20 min walk
- By Car
- From Okaya IC, 5 min
- Address
- 1-4-8 Goda, Okaya 394-0021
Nearby Attractions
Sightseeing Spots
- Suwa Taisha(Grand Shrine) Shimosha Akimiya : One of the four Grand Shrines of Suwa, Featuring an Ancient 800-Year Old Tree and Colossal Straw Rope
- Honjin Iwanami-ke Museum : Edo-Era Traveler's Lodge with the Nakasendo's Best Garden
- Suwa Garasunosato (Glass Center) : Japan's Largest Glass Art-Related Activities Center
- Lake Suwa Geyser Center : Hot Spring Geyser and 7-Spring Craters
- Katakurakan Bath House : Historical Roman-themed Bath House
Accommodation
- Chosenkaku Kameya in Shimo-Suwa : 300-Year Old Inn With Famous Garden and Bath, Adjacent to Akinomiya Suwa Grand Shrine.
- RAKO Hananoi Hotel at Lake Suwa : Luxurious, Relaxing Lakeside Hotel.
- Hotel Beniya at Lake Suwa : Hotel Offering a Choice of Rooms, Meals and Onsen Baths.
- Aburaya Ryokan at Lake Suwa : Lakeside Onsen Hotel Known for Friendly Hospitality.
- B&B Megu House ZuKu in Suwa : Stay with the Itoh Family at their Typical Japanese House.
Restaurants
- Restaurant CLASUWA : Suwa Lakeside Stylish Restaurant.
- Sen no Mizu : Heart-warming Nostalgic Home-style Cooking.
- Ajari Cafe : Home of the Popular Ajari Burger.
- Say (Soan Annex Zama) in Nakamachi : Soan's Location in Matsumoto's Historical Nakamachi District.
- Au Crieur de Vin : Casual French Cuisine.
Activities
- Watchmaking : Assemble a Watch in Suwa, the Switzerland of Japan.
- Music Box Workshop : Discover the Wonders of Music Boxes
- Lake Suwa Fireworks Display : Watch Nagano’s Biggest Fireworks Displays (One of the Most Famous in Japan).
- Sake Tasting at the Venerable Masumi Brewery : Sample Sake at Nagano’s Premier Brewery, Birthplace of Yeast Number Seven.
- Fruit Picking at a Full-Scale Orchard in Shiojiri : Large-Scale Orchard Boasting Magical Varieties of Grapes.