Are "prefectures without airports" actually close to airports? Discover unexpected ways to get there and the attractions of traveling there

Is this related to inland prefectures? Ranking of prefectures farthest from airports

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, there are 97 airports in Japan (※1). The prefecture with the most airports is Okinawa, with 13. Meanwhile, 10 prefectures (※2) have no airports.

So, the OnTrip JAL editorial team investigated which of the 10 prefectures without an airport is the farthest from an airport. There are various definitions, but "farthest" here refers to the time it takes to travel by regular train from the terminal station in the prefectural capital to the nearest airport (※3).

Now, let's announce the rankings, starting from 10th place.

*1 See the list of airports on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website. The total includes hub airports (28), locally managed airports (54), other airports (7), and shared airports (8).
*2 Because there are no scheduled flights to Fukui Airport, some consider Fukui Prefecture to be an "airport-less prefecture," but for the purposes of this article we will consider it to have an airport based on statistics from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
*3 Detailed rules: Ranking is based on the time it takes for the train to arrive from the nearest station (stop) to the prefectural capital's terminal station on a Saturday at noon. We assume that no paid express trains will be used, and only trains that can be ridden at regular fares will be used.

So, the number one result is Gunma Prefecture. If you look closely at the rankings, the first place Gunma Prefecture, the second place Yamanashi Prefecture, the third place Tochigi Prefecture, the fifth place Nara Prefecture, the sixth place Gifu Prefecture, the seventh place Shiga Prefecture, and the ninth place Saitama Prefecture are all inland prefectures. On the other hand, the only inland prefecture with an airport is Nagano Prefecture. Perhaps that is because there is no sea and the land routes are well developed, so there is no airport.

Many people may have been surprised by the results of the top three prefectures. Tochigi, Yamanashi, and Gunma prefectures have the image of being easily accessible from Tokyo, but when it comes to being "from the airport," they are actually farther away than the other prefectures.

From here, we will pick out three prefectures that represent the Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai regions from among the prefectures that made the rankings, and introduce the recommended sightseeing spots and delicious gourmet food for each. We will also explain the means of transportation to shorten travel time and have fun.

Gunma Prefecture: Warm up with Kusatsu Onsen and local cuisine

The representative of the Kanto region is Gunma Prefecture, which is ranked first in the ranking of prefectures farthest from airports. It takes more than three hours from Haneda Airport by regular train, but if you use the Shinkansen, you can travel from Tokyo to Takasaki in about 50 minutes. Even if you include the time on the local train, the travel time is less than two hours. When you hear that, it may seem closer to you.

Recommended tourist spot: Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu is known as one of the leading hot spring resorts not only in Gunma Prefecture, but also in the Kanto region. Many people would like to see the "Yubata" hot springs in the center of this atmospheric hot spring town, which still retains its traditional scenery, and the "Yumomi" hot springs, where hot water is stirred with a long board.

Kusatsu Onsen boasts an abundant supply of hot spring water, and is characterized by its highly acidic spring water, which is so effective that it is said that "there is no disease that it cannot cure except lovesickness." The hot spring town is home to a variety of accommodation options, from retro hot spring inns to Japanese-modern ryokans, so you can choose one that suits your tastes and budget. There are also many day-trip bathing spots, so it is also recommended to go on a hot spring tour.

Recommended gourmet food in Gunma Prefecture: Mizusawa udon

Gunma Prefecture has long produced a large amount of wheat, and flour and noodle dishes have been popular among locals. Okkirikomi (also called Nibotou) is a local dish of wide noodles simmered in a soy sauce or miso-based broth, and is packed with seasonal ingredients such as vegetables and mushrooms, making it very nutritious. The rich flavor, which is infused with the broth from the ingredients, is exceptional. The chewy and thick texture of the noodles is also enjoyable, making this a traditional local dish that will warm your body.

If you visit Gunma Prefecture, you can't miss the famous Mizusawa udon. Many udon shops line the approach to Mizusawa-dera Temple in Shibukawa City. At Osawaya, a long-established shop that is one of the best in the area, you can taste authentic Mizusawa udon, which is chewy and easy to swallow. Zaru udon, eaten with a soup that has been painstakingly and carefully made, is exquisite.

Mie Prefecture: Exploring the history of Ise Shrine and its famous souvenirs

Next up, we'll introduce Mie prefecture from the Chubu region. It takes about two hours to get from Centrair to Mie prefecture by regular train, but we recommend taking the sea route. If you take the "Tsu Airport Line", you can enjoy a comfortable boat trip and arrive at Tsu city from Centrair in about an hour.

Recommended tourist spot: Ise Shrine

Ise Grand Shrine, commonly known as "Oise-san," has long been loved by the Japanese as their "spiritual home." It is a vast shrine consisting of the Inner Shrine, which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestor of the Imperial family, the Outer Shrine, which enshrines Toyouke no Omikami, the guardian deity of industry, food, clothing, and shelter, as well as 14 auxiliary shrines, 43 auxiliary shrines, 24 subordinate shrines, and 42 subordinate shrines.

Just walking through the solemn and tranquil sacred grounds is sure to cleanse your soul. After worship, try strolling through Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho, which spread out around the Naiku. The historic buildings unique to Ise are full of atmosphere, and there are plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants. It's a popular spot with many people.

Recommended gourmet food in Mie Prefecture

When it comes to souvenirs from Ise, the classic is Akafuku Mochi, a rice cake topped with sweet bean paste. The smooth bean paste and soft rice cake are a perfect match. Although simple, the taste, born from the carefully selected ingredients and manufacturing method, makes you feel the tradition that has continued since the Edo period.

The main store of Akafuku is located in Oharai-machi in front of the Naiku Shrine. In addition to the familiar Akafuku mochi, if you're lucky, you can also try the Tsuitachi mochi, which is only sold on one day between February and December every year, even if you have to wait in line.

*As of May 15th, some stores, including our directly managed store in Ise, are closed due to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please check the official website for details.

Shiga Prefecture: A trip for adults to experience pottery and premium Wagyu beef

Lastly, we've picked Shiga Prefecture from the Kansai region. It may seem far to get from Itami Airport in Osaka Prefecture to Shiga Prefecture, as you pass through Kyoto Prefecture in between, but in reality, it's not that far. You can travel comfortably by using the JR "Shinkaisoku" rapid train, which costs the same as a regular train. The Shinkaisoku is a somewhat rare rapid train that only operates in the Keihanshin area of JR West and the Chukyo area of JR Central. Why not enjoy it and feel like a train enthusiast?

Recommended tourist spots: Shigaraki

Shigaraki, located in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, is known as a town of pottery, with a thriving pottery industry. Recently, it has attracted attention as the setting for the NHK morning drama.

Shigaraki ware is characterized by its slightly reddish "fire color (scarlet)" and the "vidro glaze" that is made by melting the ash that falls on it during firing, but what makes it interesting is that it shows various expressions depending on the firing method. Shigaraki ware is also suitable for making thick pottery and large pottery. The cute raccoon dog ornament with a hat on its head is famous.

Shigaraki has a lot of spots where you can experience pottery. There are various experiences, from easy hand-building and painting to courses using a full-scale potter's wheel, so please choose one that suits your level of seriousness. In Koka City, where Shigaraki Town is located, there is also the experience-based ninja theme park "Koga Ninja Village", which is recommended for active people, and is also worth checking out.

Recommended gourmet food in Shiga Prefecture

You may not have imagined it that way, but Shiga Prefecture is a treasure trove of excellent ingredients that are well known to those in the know. Omi beef, which is considered one of the three major wagyu beef brands in Japan along with Matsusaka and Kobe, and is said to be the oldest brand of beef in Japan, is surely the most famous. It is characterized by its finely textured meat and sweet, refined fat, and you can enjoy its rich aroma and melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.

Okaki, a butcher and restaurant chain, is a specialty Omi beef store that has been in business for over 170 years. At the main store, which exudes the atmosphere of a long-established store, you can enjoy Omi beef, which has been carefully raised on the company's own ranch, in hot pot, sukiyaki, steak, and more. For a more casual dining experience, Omi Beef Dining OKAKI Otsu store is easily accessible, located right next to JR Otsu Station.

*As of April 28, some stores are temporarily closed or have reduced business hours due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check the official website for details.

"Prefectures without airports" can be very close depending on the route you choose. We've picked out three prefectures and introduced them in detail, but for others, you can significantly reduce travel time from the airport by choosing the right route - for example, the Shinkansen in Tochigi Prefecture, or the bus in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Also, when traveling by both plane and train, you can enjoy the view from the sky as well as from the train window. Just because it seems far away at first glance, it seems like a waste not to go.

When planning your next trip, be sure to also take a look at the prefectures that are far from airports.

*Some content was updated on May 15, 2020.