Kumagai-shuku

Kumagai-shuku began as a temple-town outside the Buddhist temple of Yūkoku-ji (熊谷寺), which dated from the Heian period.

Per an 1843 guidebook issued by the Inspector of Highways (道中奉行, Dōchu-būgyō), the town has 1715 buildings, with a population of 3263, and boasted two honjin, one waki-honjin and 42 hatago[1] From the Meiji period, the area around Kumagai-shuku flourished as a producer of barley and silk.

[2] Kumagai was 16.4 kilometers from Kōnosu-shuku and due to the distance an ai no shuku, Fukiage-shuku was located in-between the two stations.

A way-side tea-house is located in the fork of the road, advertising udon noodles and ankoro (a sweet bean paste).

A wealthy travelers in a palanquin is arriving together with his servant, and a guest at the tea house is being serviced by a waitress.