Provinces of Japan

Provinces were established in Japan in the late 7th century under the Ritsuryō law system that formed the first central government.

The provinces are still used in general conversation, especially in navigation and transportation, and referenced in products and geographical features of the prefectures covering their former territories.

The provinces were originally established by the Ritsuryō reforms as both administrative units and geographic regions.

Under the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during Azuchi–Momoyama period, the provinces were supplemented as primary local administrative units.

Provinces are classified into Kinai (in or near the capital, then Kyoto) and seven or eight dō (routes, or circuits), collectively known as the Gokishichidō.

However, dō in this context should not be confused with modern traffic lines such as the Tōkaidō from Tokyo to Kyoto or Kobe.

Examples include sanuki udon, iyokan, tosa ken, Chikuzenni, and awa odori.

In many cases these names are also in use with directional characters, e.g. Hoku-Setsu (北摂) meaning Northern (北) Settsu (摂津) area.