Few researchers, however, have dealt with all of them or in terms of their relationship to other elements of the landscape.
Statistical analysis is a helpful method for determining the general patterns of location.
It can be said that these locations had close interconnections with elements of social landscape, and a special relationship with the physical element, the river. Following this, I examine the pattern of locations arouds each ancient region, using the same method, and point out two findings. First, the patterns of Kinai and Nankaido show very close general characteristics, but some of them differ in detail because of the difference of political power, the former being the central region with the capital, and the latter being periphery. Concerning other regions, proximity to ancient highways was the most important condition for location of temples. Finally, investigating the change of the pattern in the case of Kinai during the Asuka-Hakuho periods, I pay special attention to diplomatic relations at that time and indicate the possibility that locations were decided because people aiming to erect temples made much account of their three functions, namely defense, politics and mental function.