From the 17th century, trading ships traveled to and from Esashi, a town at the core of the lucrative herring trade. As a result, Esashi gets the honor of being the oldest port town on the island. Inishie Kaido Street is the historical center of Esashi and offers a number of culturally significant buildings and relics to explore. Visitors should check out the wide variety of buildings connected to the herring trade, such as merchant places, storehouses, and wholesalers. Also, be sure to stop by the many shrines and temples throughout the town and bathe in the atmosphere of bygone days.