Saikaidō in the context of "Gokishichidō"

Kyushu (九州, Kyūshū; pronounced [kʲɯꜜː.ɕɯː] , lit. 'nine provinces') is the third-largest and most southerly of Japan's four main islands. In the past, it has been known as Kyūkoku (九国, "Nine Countries"), Chinzei (鎮西, "West of the Pacified Area") and Tsukushi-no-shima (筑紫島, "Island of Tsukushi"). The historical regional name Saikaidō (西海道; lit. West Sea Circuit) referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands. Kyushu has a land area of 36,782 square kilometres (14,202 sq mi) and a population of 14,311,224 in 2018.

There is a theory that Kyushu was in ancient times home to its own independent dynasty, where a unique, southern-influenced culture and tradition distinct from that of Honshu flourished.

Ōsumi Province (大隅国, Ōsumi no Kuni; Japanese pronunciation: [o(ꜜ)ː.sɯ.mʲi (no kɯ.ɲi)]) was a province of Japan in the area of southeastern Kyushu, corresponding to the eastern half of modern Kagoshima Prefecture, and including the Ōsumi Islands . Ōsumi bordered on Hyūga to the northeast, and Satsuma Province to the northwest. Its abbreviated form was Gūshū (隅州). In terms of the Gokishichidō system, Ōsumi was one of the provinces of the Saikaidō circuit. Under the Engishiki classification system, Ōsumi was ranked as one of the "middle countries" (中国) in terms of importance, and one of the "far countries" (遠国) in terms of distance from the capital.

The Ōsumi region has developed its own distinct local dialect. Although Ōsumi is part of Kagoshima Prefecture today, this dialect is different from that spoken in the city of Kagoshima. There is a notable cultural pride in traditional poetry written in Ōsumi and Kagoshima dialects.

Hyūga Province (日向国, Hyūga no Kuni; Japanese pronunciation: [çɯꜜː.ɡa (no kɯ.ɲi), çɯꜜː.ŋa-]) was a province of Japan in the area of southeastern Kyushu, corresponding to modern Miyazaki Prefecture Hyūga bordered on Ōsumi to the south, Higo to the west, and Bungo to the north. Its abbreviated form name was Kōshū (向州), although it was also called Nisshū (日州). In terms of the Gokishichidō system, Hyūga was one of the provinces of the Saikaidō circuit. Under the Engishiki classification system, Hyūga was ranked as one of the "middle countries" (中国) in terms of importance, and one of the "far countries" (遠国) in terms of distance from the capital.

Chikuzen Province (筑前国, Chikuzen no Kuni; Japanese pronunciation: [tɕi̥.kɯꜜ.(d)zeɴ, -(d)zen no kɯ.ɲi]) was a province of Japan in the area of northern Kyushu, corresponding to part of north and western Fukuoka Prefecture. Chikuzen bordered on Hizen to the east, and Buzen east, and Bungo to the southeast. Its abbreviated form name was Chikushū (筑州) (a name which it shared with Chikugo Province), although it was also called Chikuyo (筑陽). In terms of the Gokishichidō system, Chikuzen was one of the provinces of the Saikaidō circuit. Under the Engishiki classification system, Chikuzen was ranked as one of the "superior countries" (上国) in terms of importance, and one of the "far countries" (遠国) in terms of distance from the capital.

Chikugo Province (筑後国, Chikugo no Kuni; Japanese pronunciation: [tɕi̥ꜜ.kɯ.ɡo (no kɯ.ɲi), -kɯ.ŋo-, tɕi̥.kɯꜜ.ɡo-, -kɯꜜ.ŋo-, tɕi̥.kɯ.ɡoꜜ-, -kɯ.ŋoꜜ-]) was a province of Japan in the area of northern Kyūshū, corresponding to part of southwestern Fukuoka Prefecture. Chikugo bordered on Higo and Chikugo to the southeast, and Chikuzen to the north and east, Bungo to the east and Hizen to the west. Its abbreviated form name was Chikushū (筑州) (a name which it shared with Chikuzen Province), although it was also called Chikuin (筑陰). In terms of the Gokishichidō system, Chikugo was one of the provinces of the Saikaidō circuit. Under the Engishiki classification system, Chikugo was ranked as one of the "superior countries" (上国) in terms of importance, and one of the "far countries" (遠国) in terms of distance from the capital.

Buzen Province (豊前国, Buzen no Kuni; Japanese pronunciation: [bɯꜜ.(d)zeɴ, -(d)zen no kɯ.ɲi]) was a province of Japan in the area of northeastern Kyūshū, corresponding to part of southeastern Fukuoka Prefecture and northwestern Ōita Prefecture. Buzen bordered on Bungo to the south, and Chikuzen to the north and west. Its abbreviated form name was Hōshū (豊州) (a name which it shared with Bungo Province), although it was also called Nihō (二豊). In terms of the Gokishichidō system, Buzen was one of the provinces of the Saikaidō circuit. Under the Engishiki classification system, Buzen was ranked as one of the "superior countries" (上国) in terms of importance, and one of the "far countries" (遠国) in terms of distance from the capital.

Bungo Province (豊後国, Bungo no Kuni; Japanese pronunciation: [bɯꜜŋ.ɡo (no kɯ.ɲi), bɯꜜŋ.ŋo-]) was a province of Japan in the area of eastern Kyūshū, corresponding to most of modern Ōita Prefecture, except what is now the cities of Nakatsu and Usa. Bungo bordered on Hyūga to the south, Higo and Chikugo to the west, and Chikuzen and Buzen to the north. Its abbreviated form was Hōshū (豊州), although it was also called Nihō (二豊). In terms of the Gokishichidō system, Bungo was one of the provinces of the Saikaidō circuit. Under the Engishiki classification system, Bungo was ranked as one of the "superior countries" (上国) in terms of importance, and one of the "far countries" (遠国) in terms of distance from the capital.