Due to its strategic location from a transportation and military perspective, it was recorded that, in Jowa-no-hen (Jowa Incident) and in Hogen-no-ran (Hogen Disturbance), many were stationed to prevent suspicious persons from entering or exiting the capital.
また、交通・軍事の要所であったことから承和の変や保元の乱などの時には老の坂を軍勢で固めて不審者の京からの出入りを防いだ事が記録されている。