During the Muromachi period, the seven barriers of the Kyoto nanakuchi (seven roads into Kyoto) were erected, leading to a state of affairs in which anyone entering Kyoto would have no choice but to pass through one of the barrier stations.
室町時代には京都七口関が設置され、京都に入るにはいずれかの関所を通行せざるを得ない状況が生まれた。