Saikaido / Kyushu

Saikaido 西海道 is one of the main 'circuits' of Tokugawa Japan. Literally translated, it means 'western sea road', now known as Kyushu. Similarly, Hokkaido is the northern sea circuit. Nankaido, which includes all of Shikoku, is the southern; Tokaido is the eastern, made famous by the wood-block prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige.

Early eighth century

Chikuzen　筑前国

Chikugo　筑後国

Buzen 豊前国　(part of ancient Toyo Province)

Bungo 豊後国　(part of ancient Toyo Province)

Hizen 肥前国　(part of ancient Hi Province)

Higo 肥後国　(part of ancient Hi Province)

Hyuga　日向国

Tane 多褹国 (small islands south of Kyushu)

Satsuma　薩摩国

Iki 壱岐国　(an island in the Genkai-Nada region of the Sea of Japan north of Kyushu)

Tsushima 対馬国　(a pair of islands between Japan and Korea, separating the Korea Strait from the Tsushima Strait)

Early ninth century to Meiji restoration

Saikaido (West-Sea-Route)

• Chikuzen
• Chikugo
• Buzen
• Bungo
• Hizen
• Higo
• Hyuga
• Osumi (since 713, divided from Hyuga)
• (Tane was merged into Hyuga)
• Satsuma
• Iki
• Tsushima

After Meiji restoration (1868)

Saikaido (West-Sea-Route)

• Chikuzen
• Chikugo
• Buzen
• Bungo
• Hizen
• Higo
• Hyuga
• Osumi
• Satsuma
• Iki
• Tsushima
• Ryukyu (previously not counted region)

Sources :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_provinces_of_Japan