Golf Corner explores Japan’s Golden Route
Four regions and six courses, from Fukuoka to Kobe, Shizuoka and Tochigi, as featured by the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Golf Corner’s Paul Deans was invited by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to take part in Golfing Japan’s Golden Route, part of JNTO’s Japan Golf Experience. Paul appears in several of the feature’s photos, and his review of Arima Royal Golf Club is published alongside those of golfers from the UK, Switzerland, Germany and the USA.
The route runs from Fukuoka in the southwest, through Kobe and Shizuoka, to Tochigi north of Tokyo. With more than 2,000 courses, year-round golf and an extensive flight and shinkansen network, Japan is an increasingly popular choice for golf travellers.
P.D. / Australia · Arima Royal Golf ClubPaul’s review, as published by JNTOThe course condition is world class, the scenery backs up the quality of the course, and the fairways and greens are some of the best I have ever played on.
Four stops, six courses
Fukuoka
The journey starts in Kyushu, Japan’s southwestern main island, known for its mild climate, beaches and hot springs.
- The Classic Golf ClubHost of the annual Toyota Cup Open. Its King’s and Queen’s courses mix downhill tee shots, doglegs, water and bunkering with fast greens.
- Off the courseA boat trip along the Yanagawa canals, sake tasting at Hakata Hyakunen-gura, seasonal kaiseki and Fukuoka’s Nakasu yatai street-food stalls.
Kobe
Golf in Japan began in Kobe, where the country’s first course was created in 1901. The region is still home to some of Kansai’s most respected clubs.
- Arima Royal Golf ClubPaul’s reviewThe Royal Course, designed by Osamu Ueda, is known for its raised greens, deep Alison-style bunkering and a grand, historic clubhouse.
- Rokko Kokusai Golf ClubA Jack Nicklaus-designed West Course that hosts the JLPGA Suntory Ladies and has staged the Japan Open.
- Off the courseThe gold and silver hot springs of Arima Onsen, Sasayama Castle, Tamba pottery and Kobe beef teppanyaki.
Shizuoka & Kawana Fuji
Between Tokyo and Osaka, Shizuoka pairs Mt Fuji views with the coastline of the Izu Peninsula.
- Kawana Hotel Golf Course, Fuji CourseC.H. Alison’s 1936 design on the Pacific coast, often called “Japan’s Pebble Beach” and ranked among the world’s top 100 courses.
- Taiheiyo Club Gotemba WestA tournament venue with Mt Fuji in view on several holes, including the par-3 17th.
- Off the courseA matcha tea ceremony and calligraphy experience, and dining at the Kawana Hotel.
Tochigi
About an hour north of Tokyo by shinkansen, Tochigi has more than 100 golf courses and a remarkable concentration of heritage sites.
- Seven Hundred ClubParkland golf with elevated tees, a par-5 14th played over water and a par-3 17th whose green juts into the lake.
- Off the courseKegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, the UNESCO-listed Nikko Tosho-gu shrine, the Spacia X luxury train and Tochigi wagyu.
Photos courtesy of JNTO
Japan National Tourism Organization
Read JNTO’s full day-by-day feature, with course details and more photos from the trip.
Read the JNTO feature →Enquire About Japan
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