Look up at the second floor. The first thing you will notice is the distinct shape of the windows. These windows resemble an insect cage, so they are called Mushiko Mado, or “insect cage windows,” and they are mostly covered in plaster. There are two different types of structures: one is the shinkabe-zukuri, where you can see the wood of the pillars; and the other is the Nerigome-zukuri, where the pillars are also covered in plaster, which is, of course, better for fire prevention. The Former Residence of Henmi Kanbei was made in this style.

Many wholesale shops lined the roads of the Nakancho area. The fishmongers from Obama would travel through the town selling their wares starting from Shimoncho, with Nakancho serving as the end of the line. If you made it this far and still had something to sell, you would have no choice but to drive a bargain and try to sell it all. The fishmongers would try their best to sell all of their wares before passing the last bridge, which, as a result, earned the name Jigoku-bashi, or “Bridge to Hell.”

Once past Kumagawa, it was time to pass the baton to the Kumagawa fishmongers; a fleet of brawny men who would begin their journey over the mountains to Kyoto.