Before the Meiji period, there were Rikyu built as a villa for a retired emperor and cloistered emperor for after their retirement, which were called 'Goin,' and there were exclusive officials to look after these places.
また、明治以前には太上天皇や法皇の退位後の離宮として「後院」と呼ばれる離宮が築かれて専属の役人が置かれた。