Administrative areas were divided between the areas ruled by the emperor, the Kinai region (provinces surrounding Kyoto and Nara - Yamato, Settsu, Kawachi [Izumi later became separate], and Yamashiro), and the shichido (the seven districts of ancient Japan - Tokaido, Tosando, Hokurikudo, Sanindo, Sanyodo, Nankaido and Saikaido) (called "Dosei," a system of administrative areas according to main roads), and 66 provinces were created below these in addition to Iki Province and Tsushima Province.
行政区画は、天皇の権力の及ぶ範囲、畿内（大和・摂津・河内（後、和泉が分立）・山城）と七道（東海・東山・北陸・山陰・山陽・南海・西海）に分け（道制）、その下に66国と壱岐国（いき）嶋、対馬国（つしま）嶋が置かれた。