Nishikawa Jingoro House and Museum

The Nishikawa company, now one of Japan's largest bedding manufacturers, traces its origins to this Omihachiman merchant house. Founder Nishikawa Niemon (1549-1644) opened a shop here at age 36 selling mosquito nets and tatami covers, laying the groundwork for a business that grew wealthy through trade with Edo. His son Jingoro, who inherited the business in 1628, is credited with a clever early marketing move: he started dyeing the company's mosquito nets green to make them more visually appealing, and sales followed. The house where family members lived from 1587 to 1942 survives intact, accompanied by a museum tracing the company's history and a shop selling Nishikawa products alongside local souvenirs.