In ancient times, in many cases, capitals were located in places near Kyoto, Nara and their surrounding area, and areas including Yamashiro Province, Yamao Province, Settsu Province, Kawachi Province and Izumi Province (part of Kyoto Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture and part of Hyogo Prefecture) were collectively called the Kinai region (which means within the wall) (provinces surrounding Kyoto and Nara).
古くは京都や奈良、及びその周辺に都（みやこ）が置かれていたことが多く、山城国、大和国、摂津国、河内国、和泉国（京都府の一部、奈良県、大阪府、兵庫県の一部）は併せて畿内（「畿」はかきね・門の内側。