A large variety of courses for golfers of every budget and skill level can be found across all regions of Japan, with some of the best located around famous resort areas such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa and Okinawa, where they offer beautiful mountain views or coastal scenery.
What is the best golf course in Japan?
Golf Golf (ゴルフ) is a popular sport in Japan. A large variety of courses to fit golfers of every budget and skill level can be found across all regions of Japan, with some of the best located around famous resort areas such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa and Miyazaki, where they offer beautiful mountain views or coastal scenery.
What is a round of golf in Japan like?
Playing a round of golf in Japan is typically an all-day event with a lunch break of around one hour between the first and second halves of the course.
How much does it cost to play golf in Japan?
In past decades, it was fairly expensive to play golf in Japan. However, these days a large majority of courses are open to the public, and it is not uncommon to pay between 5,000 and 10,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round of golf, including lunch and golf cart, especially on regular weekdays.
Can I play golf in Japan without Japanese knowledge?
The biggest hurdle for foreign visitors without Japanese knowledge to play golf in Japan is the difficulty of making reservations at golf courses, as there are only a handful of courses that allow for easy reservations in English, although most courses accept online reservations in Japanese.
Is playing golf expensive in Japan?
But even as a visitor, playing golf in Japan is not cheap. The greens fee on weekends starts at about $70 at the less expensive country clubs and at others can reach $140. In addition, there are caddy fees, meals and transportation costs to and from the country clubs, many of which are several hours from major cities.
Where are they playing golf in Japan?
Golf in Japan is as unique as the country itself. Across the more than 6,852 islands - including the four main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu - there are no less than 2,349 golf courses, varying from revered top-100 courses to riverside pitch and putts.
Is golf a big deal in Japan?
Yes, Japan is a country that takes golf very seriously, with more than 10 million active golfers, second only to the United States. Japanese golfers have access to close to 2,500 golf courses in their country, and they spend billions of dollars a year on equipment.
Can you golf year round in Japan?
Sure, everyone skis in the mountains of close by Niigata and Nagano, but the vast majority of golf courses in and around Tokyo are snow free year round.
How much does it cost for a round of golf in Japan?
In past decades, golf was a fairly expensive and exlusive sport in Japan. However, these days a large majority of courses are open to the general public, and it is not uncommon to pay between 5,000 and 10,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round of golf, including lunch and golf cart, especially on regular weekdays.
How much does it cost to play golf in Tokyo?
While prices vary massively, for playing golf in Tokyo, you should expect to pay between 15,000 yen – 20,000 yen on a weekend and 8,000 yen – 12,000 yen on a weekday.
How much does a round of golf cost in Tokyo?
Teeing off on such a course in the Tokyo area costs about 30,000 yen ($195) in green fees for one 18-hole round. In the U.S., by comparison, there are more than 13,000 golf courses, and memberships in even the most exclusive clubs are usually no more than $35,000.
Why there are so many golf courses in Japan?
Japan Has Half Of Asia's Golf Courses, But The Game's Popularity There Is Flagging : Parallels In the 1980s, Japan built thousands of golf courses and the game became baked into its business culture. Those days are over. Golf participation in Japan has dropped by 40 percent since 1996.
Does Japan have country clubs?
Koganei Country Club, Kodaira Arguably the most exclusive country club in Japan. Membership is very restrictive. So much, that a man once offered over $3,000,000 for membership, and even at that price, no one would give up their spot. In 2004, the Wall Street Journal cited membership was around $467,000.
How much does golf cost?
According to research from the National Golf Foundation, the average cost to play a round of golf in the United States in 2020 is $61. The average cost to play nine holes in the United States is $33.
How many golf courses are there in Japan?
According to the National Golf Foundation, Japan has 2,227 golf facilities (seven percent of the world's supply) for its 127 million people – or 57,000 people per course.
What is tennis called in Japan?
Japan Open (tennis)Rakuten Japan OpenTournament informationSurfaceHard / outdoors (1973–1977, 1982–2017, 2019–) Clay / outdoors (1978–1981) Hard / indoors (2018)Websiterakutenopen.comCurrent champions (2019)7 more rows
What is the best golf course in Japan?
Boasting strong word-of-mouth reviews, Hirono Golf Club is said to be the best golf course in Japan and Asia. It is also one of the top 100 golf clubs in the world. This private golf club is only open to members and guests of members, so if you’re keen on trying this place, find yourself a friend who is also a member. Hirono Golf Club has a rich legacy and dates as far back as World War II. In fact, some of the trees you see in these scenic grounds were planted by soldiers. After your golfing session, stop by the Colonial-style golf museum located in the club to learn more about the origins of the club and of golf.
Where to play golf in Kyoto?
Located in Kyoto, this serene golf club is a 30-minute drive away from Kintetsu Nara Station. This 18-hole golf course is surrounded by luscious green trees and calm waters so golfers can play in peace. The well-maintained golf course has a unique shape, making it more suitable for advanced players. Tourists and golfers in the area can enter Kasagi Golf Club with peace of mind, as clubs and shoes can be rented. All you need to do is make a reservation on their website and you’re good to go!
What is Nikko Country Club?
There is a restaurant, a clubhouse, a practice field, and a lodge for those who want to stay overnight. The semi-private golf course is suitable for players of all levels and is popular among locals and tourists alike. There are specific dress codes for both the gents and the ladies, so do make sure you are dressed appropriately. The website contains a lot of information for guests who intend to use the club bus or the lodge. Do check it out before making your way down.
Where to play night golf in Nagano?
Moon Lake Golf Club is one of the best places to play night golf. Located in Nagano, this semi-private club is 20 minutes away from Mobara Station. In the night, the golf club is well-lit and quiet, making it a good place to play a game or two. Both male and female guests can rent clubs and shoes. Lockers are not available in this club, so do make sure to avoid bringing heavy personal bags.
Where is Miho Golf Club?
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Miho Golf Club is located in Ibaraki Prefecture. This 18-hole golf course is a 2-hour drive away from central Tokyo and is a popular place among golfers. The landscape makes it suitable for both advanced and professional players. It is a semi-private club so guests can come and give this golf course a shot, so as long as you make a reservation in advance. If you’re a tourist and you’re looking to play a game, this is a club you may want to try. Golf clubs and shoes are available for rent. Golf tournaments are held here from time to time, so do check the dates before making your way here.
Is Kita Hiroshima open to the public?
The course here is relatively flat and has a wide fairway, allowing golfers to play for a long time. The club is open to the public, and guests can be found flocking here during the weekend. Guests who are not driving can take the free club bus from Kita-Hiroshima Station, but please do make a reservation. Weekday prices are slightly more affordable here compared to other golf clubs. Sightings of deer and foxes have been reported around the golf course. If you’re feeling hungry after your game, pop into the on-site restaurant. The curry noodles are worth trying!
Golfing 2 hours from Tokyo near Utsunomiya
To properly kick-off the new era, I played a round of golf near Utsunomiya and also sample the local specialty dumplings called gyoza for which the area is famous.
Golfing in Hokkaido at Nidom
Welcome back for the second installment of our Golf in Japan series, my own personal crusade to turn Japan into the world’s number one golfing destination....
Playing Golf Near Mt. Fuji
Combined with the country’s legendary standards of hospitality, a meal after nine holes, and a relaxing bath afterwards, I can testify that playing golf in Japan is a real treat.
How many golf courses are there in Japan?
Japan is home to nearly 2,500 golf courses. Many of the best are in the southwestern Kinki Region with awe-inspiring scenery and long-standing history. Find out more in this introduction to the courses in the seven prefectures of Kinki.
Where to golf in Kyoto?
Kyoto may not seem like an obvious golfing destination, but with 33 courses in the prefecture – many within easy reach of Kyoto city – the options here might surprise you. Try your hand at the Kamo Country Club or the Kyoto Golf Club, both with dual courses whose surroundings show off the beauty of the country’s seasons. From cherry blossoms in the spring to fall foliage in the autumn, you can immerse yourself in the essence of Japan while you hone your golf skills. Naturally, Kyoto city also offers a wealth of sightseeing opportunities for days spent off the course.
What is the best golf course in Kansai?
Hyogo is Kansai’s undisputed king of golf courses. With a phenomenal 153 to choose from, it’s home to some of the best courses in the country. The most prestigious of these is Hirono Golf Course, which has played host to all of the major Japanese championships over the years, and was designed by the legendary Charles Alison. Other highlights of the prefecture include the Naruo Golf Club, whose course Alison was also responsible for, and the Ono Golf Club. The latter is another of Osamu Ueda’s creations, known for its hilly terrain, woodland surroundings and challenging holes.
Where to play golf in Kinki?
Wakayama is home to the fewest golf courses in Kinki, with just 22 within its borders, but don’t let that discourage you. Take your pick of awe-inspiring scenery, from gorgeous ocean views at the Kinan Country Club to lush mountain surroundings at the Leograd Golf Club. The Sunresort Country Club’s flat course is great for beginners, while the Wakayama Country Club offers more of a challenge. For off-course activities, try hiking part of the 1000-year-old Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, indulging your spiritual side at Mount Koya, or relaxing on the beach in Shirahama.
When was Fuji Golf Course opened?
The Fuji course came after the original Oshima course and opened in 1936 . It is the handiwork of Charles Alison, a close associate of Harry Colt.
Who designed the Yokohama Country Club?
Founded in 1960, Yokohama Country Club has two courses, the East and West, with the latter being of higher quality. Architect Takeo Aiyama designed both and the West would go on to host several professional tournaments, such as the 1978 Japan Open which was one of Seve Ballesteros’ first wins as a professional. Architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have been tasked with renovating the course.
Where is Oarai located?
Oarai is located right on the shores of the Pacific to the North-east of Tokyo and despite having ample trees on site the winds can occasionally howl through the course to drastically affect scoring.
Near-Tokyo Golf Courses to Put on your Bucket List
The Windsor Park Golf and Country Club in Ibaraki Prefecture is the least expensive of the three but every bit as classy. It’s an hour’s drive up the Joban Expressway from Tokyo and is maintained to international standards with a backdrop of beautiful rolling hills.
Golf in Tokyo with Simulator Lounges
When you don’t have time for a day out, or want to practice your swing in a relaxed setting, there are a number of simulator lounges that allow you to enjoy realistic golf in Tokyo proper itself.
Driving Ranges in Tokyo
To increase your Tokyo golf options further there’s a plethora of driving ranges throughout the city. Most of the websites mentioned below are in Japanese.
Golf Lessons in Tokyo
Jinji golf community is based in Tokyo greater area. The community offer a complete package for golfers, by helping them book a golf course, teaching golf and transportation to the golf range. They have the complete guidance and support for golfers living in or visiting Japan. The community was established in 2002 by NRPGI certified Shai Gigi.
Head over to Shinjuku for Equipment and Apparel
Golf in Tokyo, as everywhere, does require the proper equipment. When it’s time to get kitted out with a new pair of shoes or set of irons, there are some great places in Shinjuku that offer a wide variety of everything you might need.
Things You Should Know Before Playing Golf in Japan
There are certain rules to play golf in Japan. This article would be useful to read before you visit a golf club in Japan.
Tokyo Golf Options are Plentiful
You may not have expected to maintain your game in Japan’s crowded modern capital, but as you can see, there are plenty of Tokyo golf options and no reason to let your swing get rusty. And if golf is not your only sporting interest, there are various opportunities for many different sports in this city.
