Silk Factory Okaya
Suwa is closely tied to the silk industry; the neighboring city of Okaya was once Japan’s largest manufacturer and exporter of silks. The modern museum and factory in Okaya serves as a great introduction to the silk world. Its displays feature more than 30,000 artifacts, including silk-reeling machines, fabrics, and beautiful kimono. Many of the reeling machines are still running and you can see silk workers creating silk right in front of you. The nearby gift shop offers items for sale and the Cocoon Craft Room gives visitors a chance to make silk-themed souvenirs. English- and Japanese-language guide materials are available upon request.
