A Mini Road Trip Through Three of Japan’s Landlocked Prefectures

Japan has eight landlocked prefectures, but you can experience three of them in a single, easy inland road trip thanks to the way the Joshin‑etsu Expressway and Kan‑etsu Expressway connect almost seamlessly. Starting in Nagano, moving through Gunma, and finishing in Saitama, this route offers a gentle mix of mountain scenery, small towns, and expressway stops that feel surprisingly relaxed for a multi‑prefecture drive.

Nagano (Chūbu)

We started in Nagano, one of Japan’s most mountainous prefectures and home to wide highlands, orchards, and quiet towns. We stopped in Obuse, which we discovered is known for chestnuts. It is also home to museums, and soft countryside charm. Tomi, we learned, is known for grapes. Nagano’s inland character is immediately clear: spacious skies, crisp air, and long stretches of road framed by mountains.

Gunma (Kantō)

Crossing into Gunma, the landscape shifts into volcanic peaks, hot‑spring towns, and classic mountain passes. We visited Annaka, stopping at both Yokokawa, famous for its railway heritage and steep mountain backdrop, and Tōbu Yunomaru, a highland rest area surrounded by cool air and quiet forests. Gunma always feels like a place where the mountains come right up to the roadside.

Saitama (Kantō)

The final stretch brought us home - to Saitama. It is the flattest prefecture in the region, and the scenery opens into wide plains and river basins. We stopped at Kamisato, a place we seldom get to visit because it’s well beyond our usual range. I felt like a tourist in my own prefecture!

This mini road trip through Nagano, Gunma, and Saitama shows how varied Japan’s landlocked prefectures can be, from alpine towns to volcanic highlands to broad, open plains. Thanks to the smooth connection between the Joshin‑etsu and Kan‑etsu expressways, the drive feels effortless, letting you enjoy each stop without rushing. It’s a simple, satisfying inland adventure that highlights a quieter side of central Japan.