On the other hand, the eastern part (Kusatsu, Hikone, Maibara, Nagahama Cities) is a key area which connects 'Kinai' and eatstern and nothern regions of Japan; in the days of the ritsuryo system (a system of centralized government based on the ritsuryo code) Tosando ran there and in the Edo period, Tokaido, Nakasendo, and Hokkoku Kaido Road went through the area.
一方の東部（草津市・彦根市・米原市・長浜市など）は畿内と東国・北国を結ぶ要地であり、律令制には東山道、江戸時代には東海道・中山道・北国街道が通っていた。