The original route was the path from Hokuriku-do Road leading to Heijokyo (passing through Osaka-no-seki and leading south through Yamashina Basin, moving upstream on the right bank of Yodo-gawa River and reaching Nara via Uji City). 
原形は北陸道から平城京に向かう街道（逢坂関を越えてから山科盆地を南に下ったあと、淀川右岸を上り宇治市を経由して奈良へ）。