the Five Highways (Edo period)
Historical term referring to the five major roads radiating from Edo (Tokyo) during the Edo period: Tōkaidō, Nikkō Kaidō, Ōshū Kaidō, Nakasendō, and Kōshū Kaidō.
During the Edo period, the Five Highways were maintained by the shogunate.
Nakasendō is another of the Five Highways, an inland route between Edo and Kyoto.
From 五 (go, 'five') + 街道 (kaidō, 'highway'). The term was established in the Edo period to designate the five major roads under direct shogunate control.