Hokurikudō

[1] It means both an ancient division of the country[2] and the main road running through the old Japanese geographical region.

It also refers to a series of roads that connected the capitals (国府 kokufu) of each of the provinces that made up the region.

When the Gokishichidō system was initially established after the Taika reforms, it consisted of just two provinces: Wakasa and Koshi.

During the reign of Emperor Temmu, Koshi was divided into three regions: Echizen, Etchū and Echigo and Sado Island was added as a fifth province.

Later, Noto and Kaga were carved out of Echizen to form seven provinces in total.