Tomioka Silk Mill/ Yakushima

[Tomioka Silk Mill]

Q.In what century, was Tomioka Silk Mill built? 

A. It was built in 19th century. 

Q. When was the site TSM added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A. In June, 2014. 

Q. What is the scale of the facility like?

A. The entire facility measuring approximately 53,000 square meters. The site's importance stems from its status as one of the first major industrial facilities built during the Meiji Restoration, in which Japan opened up to global trade and embraced Western-style institutions and industry.

Q. Which country were leading machines imported from?

A. They are imported from France. 

Q. What were the reasons did young women clock to the mill? 

A. Young women flocked to the mill for work for the good benefits, eight-hour work days, and Sunday holiday. Their employment provided on-site housing, medical services, and offered night school where they could learn how to read, write, use an abacus, and sew. 

Q. What is a special connection between France and Japan?

A. Silk was a highly sought-after fabric in France, so the mill hired a Frenchman, Paul Brunat, to oversee production. Silkworm production is the special connection. 

[Yakushima]

Q. Where is Yakushima located in Kagoshima?

A. Located 60 kilometers out to sea from Japan's southern prefecture of Kagoshima. 

Q. How is the climate in Yakushima?

A. One of the main features of this area is that the the differences in temperature and climates of the island are the largest on earth. You can see plants from both subtropical zones and cold temperate zones on the island, and it rains so much that local people say it rains 35 days a month.

Q. What can you see in Yakushima?

A. You can find coral reefs and alpine plants, and animals unique to Yakushima including the Yaku monkey and Yaku deer.

Q. What kind of mountains are there?

A. There are as many as six mountain peaks over 1,800 meters high, including the highest mountain in Kyushu 

, Miyanoura-dake, standing at 1,935 meters. This is what gives the island its nickname—the Alps of the ocean.

Q. What is one of the features there in which Yakushima is different from other areas on earth? 

A. One of the main features of this area is that the the differences in temperature and climates of the island are the largest on earth.