During the Edo period, Yamashina, Shinomiya, and Higechaya-oiwake (present day Oiwake, Otsu City) constituted a town along the Tokaido Road (it is now called Old Kaido Road or Old Sanjo-dori Street after the opening the Sanjo-dori Street), where there were many travelers including express messengers and parades by daimyos who would alternate their Edo residence.
江戸時代は山科や四宮、そして髭茶屋追分（現在の大津市追分）までが東海道(三条通の開通に伴い、今は旧街道・旧三条通り等と呼ばれる)の街道筋として一続きの町となり、飛脚や参勤交代をはじめ多くの人々が行き交った。