In Sankin-kotai (daimyo's (feudal lord) alternate-year residence in Edo), some took this route without passing through Kyoto; at Higechaya-oiwake (Higechaya bisection) after leaving Otsu-shuku of the Tokaido, they separated from the route toward Sanjo-ohashi of Kyoto and traveled along Otsu-kaido Road to Osaka via these four stages.
東海道の大津宿から髭茶屋追分で京都・三条大橋へ向かう道と分かれ、京都を通らず大津街道を通りこれら4宿場を経て大坂に至る道のりは、参勤交代の経路としても用いられた。