Since the design of these walls resembles a sea cucumber, they are referred to as “namako” walls. Strong winds flow through the Kumagawa region, which can lead to the quick spread of fires between buildings, so these walls are covered with plaster to prevent them from catching fire.

During the Edo period, there was at least one major fire every 10 years. This led to a saying in the Kumagawa area, “A house is a torch in the night;” there was no telling when your home would go up in flames, so there was no need to decorate it extravagantly. Despite being a post town, which are known for their beautiful architecture, Kumagawa is simple compared to other towns.

Their cautiousness when it comes to fire can still be felt to this day. At night, you can hear the ringing of a fire warning bell. A strong tradition of festivals, which has persevered from the Edo period to the modern day, also shows their prudence towards fires. This tradition embeds a spirit of teamwork in the local people; as long as there is one person who can take the lead at a moment’s notice, the town is always able to come together.

One could say that as a result of these traditions, there may have been a few fires that spread throughout the town, but most have been contained to smaller areas. Over one-third of the town can still be traced back to the Edo Period.