At first, kansatsushi was established in each of Rokudo (six districts) (Tokaido, Hokurikudo, Sanindo, Sanyodo, Nankaido and Saikaido) excluding Tosando, and was also called Rokudokansatsushi.
観察使は当初、東山道を除く六道（東海道・北陸道・山陰道・山陽道・南海道・西海道）ごとに設置され、六道観察使とも呼ばれた。