Tomioka, Gunma

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**Tomioka City**
**富岡市**
Tomioka City's location in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kanto
Prefecture	Gunma Prefecture
Physical characteristics
Area	122.90 km²
Population (as of 2006)
Total	54,465
Location	36°15′N 138°53′E
Symbols
Tomioka City City Hall
Official website: http://www.city.tomioka.lg.jp/

Coordinates: 36°15′N 138°53′E

This article is about the city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. For the town in Fukushima Prefecture, see Tomioka, Fukushima.

Japan's first modern silk reeling factory at Tomioka, designed by the French engineer Paul Brunat in 1872, essentially Japan's first modern factory of the Meiji Period.

Tomioka (富岡市; -shi) is a city located in Gunma, Japan.

As of March 1, 2006, the city had an estimated population of 54,465. The total area is 122.90km².

In April 1, 1888, Tomioka became a town. The city of Tomioka was created on April 1, 1954. On April 1, 1960, Nyuu Village was incorporated into Tomioka City. On March 27, 2006, it further merged with neighboring Myogi Town to form the new city of Tomioka.

1 Landmarks
2 Famous People
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Landmarks

Tomioka silk mill, or Tomioka Silk Factory, built in 1872, was the first of its kind in Japan. The publicly owned brick building was designed by Paul Brunat, a French engineer. On a side note, the Tomioka Silk Factory is briefed by most Japanese students studying Japanese history, so it is well known. However, a number of Japanese have mentioned that it is especially well remembered because the name of the factory in Japanese 富岡製糸工場 or Tomioka Seishi Koujou translates phonetically to Tomioka Sperm Factory.

Nukisaki Shrine is a moderately well-known shrine in Japan because of its design. Whereas a shrine's main building area is usually approached over flat ground or by an ascent, Nukisaki Shrine is entered via a descending flight of stone steps. During the New Year's holiday, an estimated 100,000 people visit Nukisaki Shrine to pray for happiness in the year ahead. This is the largest gathering of its kind in Gunma.

Gunma Safari Park was the 5th safari park built in Japan and the 1st built in eastern Japan. The park's approximate 1000 animals consist of around 100 species.

Tomioka Museum of Natural History houses 35 exhibits on Gunma's natural history, including about 30 dinosaur skeletons.