The Kinai region consisted of Yamato Province, Kawachi Province, Settsu Province and Yamashiro Province, which were called "Shikinai" (lit. Four Kinai Provinces) but Izumi Province later became independent from Kawachi province and the region became known as "Gokinai" (lit. Five Kinai Provinces).
畿内は当初大和国（やまと）・河内国（かわち）・摂津国（せっつ）・山城国（やましろ）の四カ国からなり、四畿内と称されたが、のち河内の国から和泉国（いずみ）の国が分立して五畿内となった。