Sendai Airport (SDJ) is the sole airport serving Shiroishi.

Lengthy commutes don’t have to be stressful if you work out your strategy ahead of time. Downtown Shiroishi is 32 kilometres from Sendai Airport (SDJ), so it’s smart to know how you’ll get into the city before you touchdown.

A flight to Shiroishi means touching down at SDJ. Get off the plane, grab your baggage and you’ll be 32 kilometres from the center of town.

There are 9 airlines that jet into Shiroishi from 10 airports around the world.

Shiroishi receives the largest number of flights from JAL, IBEX Airlines and Peach Aviation with JAL being the number one choice of carrier. Chitose is the most popular city for travelers to take off from.

Organizing an unforgettable Shiroishi escape is a cinch when there are 378 direct flights each week to pick from.

A large number of flights to Shiroishi set off from Itami, Fukuoka and Nagoya airports.

If you’re going to Shiroishi from Chitose, you’ll have a flight time of 1 hour and 12 minutes. Those departing from Itami can expect to be on the plane for 1 hour and 11 minutes. From Fukuoka it’s approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes away.

Don’t leave locking in your flight to Shiroishi until the last moment. That’s one move frequent jet-setters use to get the best prices. Booking in advance means more choices and less expensive flights. Also, look around online and compare your options. If your destination has multiple airports, you may be able to nab a great deal by flying into a less busy terminal. And finally, don’t forget that the early bird catches the worm. Familiarize yourself with airfare costs and have your credit card ready to snap up a ticket as soon as you see an unbeatable bargain. The best deals never last long.

We’ve rounded up all the info you need to make your flight a stress-free experience. Follow our tips and you’ll be cruising through the airport and discovering Shiroishi before you know it.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a pleasure if you take the right gear. First of all you’ll need basic toiletry items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush and some deodorant, a spare pair of socks and a few magazines. Secondly, leave space in your bag for your mobile phone, a charger, any vital medications and maybe a blow-up neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, be sure to take your passport, travel docs and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between airlines, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like knives, scissors, aerosol cans and flares. Sporting equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and firearms, can’t come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are not the place for a fashion parade. Layer yourself up with comfortable clothes and bring a cardigan as it tends to get cool in the cabin during long-haul flights. Closed-toed, flat shoes are also a good idea.
• Most travelers have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. There are plenty of ways to lessen your risk. Wear a pair of compression tights or socks, drink lots of water often and get your legs and feet moving. Do a lap or two of the cabin or try out some exercises in your seat.

The secret is to be prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you’ll be hopping onto that plane to Shiroishi in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and travel documents before you’re allowed to proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items like your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you’ll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Don’t forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you’re less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They’ll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.