In the Meiji period they were designated as Sampu (Three Urban Prefectures), and even after the city system was established, these three cities enjoyed an exceptional treatment for quite a while, and thus, they maintained the highly valued status over long period of time.
明治以後も三府が設置され、市制成立後も暫くは市制特例が敷かれるなど、長きに渡って重要視されていくこととなる。