It was not only the main transport line between Kansai and Kyūshū, but also for Hokuriku, Tōhoku, and even Hokkaidō (which was called Ezo at the time).
Non era só a principal liña de transporte entre Kansai e Kyūshū, senón tamén cara ás rexións de Hokuriku, Tōhoku, e ata Hokkaidō (que chamábase Ezo no momento).