The Aoiya is a well-known, mid-size inn located in Kyoto and run by Kashiwazaki Nenji and his associates. Not too long ago, the Aoiya once served as a safehouse and base of operations for the Oniwabanshū onmitsu organization. Now, in the Meiji era, the Aoiya's main purpose is to offer a safe place to live and work for all of the Oniwabanshū members incapable of or unwilling to rejoin normal society. In the summer of 1878, the Aoiya was badly damaged when the remaining members of the Oniwabanshū clashed with several soldiers of the Juppongatana, but was rebuilt later that same year.