One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.93Ferry at Niijuku

Travellers on the Mitokaido Highway, one of the most important highways leaving Edo city and finishing at Mito city, had to cross the Naka River, shown in this print, by ferryboat. This ferry was called Niijuku no Watashi because on the other side of thr river was a station named Niijuku, meaning “newly established station”.
At the landing place on this side of the river were several teahouses and restaurants for the benefit of travellers. In front of these houses, waitresses wearing red aprons would entice guests. At the restaurant, guests could eat fish caught in the Naka River for dinner, and the particular specialities enjoyed by travellers were carp, crucian (a kind of shellfish) and eel dishes.
In this print, travellers who have just alighted from the ferryboat are hurrying to a restaurant. A wealthy merchant has already entered, followed by a manservant who carries his luggage. Both of them are welcomed by waitresses. Two other waitresses, looking out from a second-floor window, seem to be waiting for more customers. At this restaurant travellers could enjoy the delicious fish and beautiful scenery looking out of the window while being attended to by pretty waitresses.
On one of the wooden piers extending from the riverbank is a man angling for fish, possibly carp. Two sailboats carrying goods from the north are travelling along the Naka River. These boats might travel to the centre of Edo via the Onagi River, a canal connecting the Sumida and Naka rivers.
In the far distance, above the hovering mist, are seen the Nikko mountains.