In ancient times, along with the development of the Ritsuryo system (a system of centralized government based on the ritsuryo code), roads were developed based on the Eki transportation system between the capital (Kinai region - the five capital provinces surrounding the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto) and local regions, and Umaya (regular intervals stages) were set up on the ways.
古代は律令制の整備に伴い、駅制が敷かれて都（畿内）と地方の間に道路が整備され、駅家が置かれた。