The construction and maintenance of kaido were undertaken by the Tokugawa shogunate, the ruling government at the time. The network of kaido included five main highways, known as the Gokaido:
1. Tokaido: Connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) to Kyoto, the former imperial capital.
2. Nakasendo: Linked Edo to Kyoto through the mountainous Kiso Valley.
3. Oshu Kaido: Connected Edo to the northern region of Tohoku.
4. Koshu Kaido: Ran from Edo to Kai Province (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture).
5. Saikaido: Extended from Kyoto to Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island.
In addition to these five major highways, there were numerous minor kaido that connected various provinces and regions. These roads played a crucial role in fostering economic development, cultural exchange, and political consolidation during the Edo period.
Along the kaido, there were designated post stations (shukuba) where travelers could rest, change horses, and obtain meals and provisions. The presence of these post stations made long-distance travel more convenient and facilitated the movement of people across the country.
Today, some sections of the old kaido are still preserved as historic routes and scenic walking trails, allowing visitors to experience the remnants of Japan's rich history and heritage.