The street, which was once the main thoroughfare and bordered the east edge of Heian-kyo, runs along east side of Kyoto Gosho (Old Imperial Palace), because Kyoto Gosho was relocated to its present site after the decline of Ukyo (the western part of the capital) and perpetuated disorder.
都の東端の大路であったが、右京の衰退や相次ぐ戦乱等によって京都御所が移転したため、現在は京都御所の東端の通りとなっている。