In the early modern Kyoto, the area north of Nijo-dori Street was referred to as Kamigyo, and the area south of Nijo-dori Street was referred to as Shimogyo; and chogumi (town society) called 'Twelve town societies of Kamigyo' and 'Kinri Rokucho town society' were formed in Kamigyo, and 'Eight town societies of Shimogyo' were formed in Shimogyo.
近世には、二条通り以北を上京、以南を下京と称し、上京には「上京十二組」「禁裏六丁組」、下京には「下京八組」という町組（ちょうぐみ）が組織されていた。