GOLF IN JAPAN
Japan has been crazy about golf since it was introduced more than century ago and it has been a part of its sporting and business culture ever since. The country's first course was set on a hilltop overlooking Kobe city in 1901 by British businessmen and consisted of just four holes. Today there are more than 2,400 courses in Japan, far outnumbering that of even Scotland! With such a staggering number of courses throughout the islands that make up this golf loving nation, you can be guaranteed that somewhere, during any day light hours, every second of the day, a ball is dropping into a cup and a caddie is yelling, “fore”!
WHERE TO GO
Hokkaido
Winter in Japan’s most northern island is a skiers paradise with pristine powder on snow topped mountains, but when the snowfields turn to green meadows, golf takes center stage and the people here trade in their skis for clubs. With average summer temperatures of a comfortable and dry 21.7 degrees C., Hokkaido has long been a preferred summer golf get-a-way destination for domestic golfers looking to avoid the summer heat. Hokkaido currently boasts over 150 eighteen-hole courses with many consisting of 36 plus holes! That's more than 30% of all the courses in the home of golf, Scotland, in one prefecture! Usually bordered by silver birch trees these courses are, lush, green and playable even in as little as one week after the snow melts in late April and the season lasts until mid October.
Honshu
Honshu is the mainland of Japan (with Mt. Fuji) and is where the majority of the population reside. Tokyo's surrounding areas enjoy the largest concentration of high quality courses in Japan. Players can enjoy a fill spectrum of course and price options to suit any budget and
many clubs in resort areas even have accommodations and hot springs on site. If you plan it right you can enjoy weekday rounds are about half of what you would pay on a weekend or holiday and tee times are abundant. For Mt. Fuji views and hot springs galore try Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. The Kansai area and West Honshu are full of great courses, history and culture, such as in the imperial cities of Kyoto and Nara full of ancient palaces, shrines and temples.
Kyushu
The large southerly island of Kyushu currently has 230 courses consisting of seaside links, parkland and mountain courses. This areas lush green vegetation sprouts up from dark mineral rich volcanic soil creating a perfect environment for grass. The natural landscape of this region lends itself well to golf course design and brings up Hawaiian like vistas. Pure hot springs are also a common feature here in many of the clubhouses making for a relaxing way to finish your round. The locals here are less used to seeing foreigners so be prepared
to be treated as a rare commodity and enjoy the warm hospitality it brings. The climate is mild and semitropical near Kagoshima on the southern tip so rounds here can be enjoyed all year round. A great place for an ocean view round at a seaside course.
Okinawa
This island chain represents the most southerly tip of Japan virtually en route to Taiwan and is a tropical golfing paradise. Because of its warm climate, the islands are a favorite destination for vacationing Japanese throughout the year. You can enjoy not only golf on its 27 mostly ocean view seaside courses, but also amazing diving, snorkeling and basically any marine sport you can imagine. Factor in the warm local spirit and cuisine and a tropical golf vacation here is a must any time of the year!
WHEN TO GO
In Japan, summer and winter are long and spring and autumn are relatively short. It might
sound good, but summers in the southern regions of Kyushu and western Honshu can be
hot and humid. High altitude areas like the Southern Alps or the Mt. Fuji area cam be more
comfortable. Eastern Honshu and Hokkaido are ideal this time of the year. October and
November are usually mild and dry making perfect conditions for golf with views of the
changing colors of the leaves. April and May are also great months to hit the links. In winter,
inland courses will see snowfall, but properties near the ocean are usually open year round.
Try southern Kyushu and Okinawa.
WHY TRY A GOLF TOUR IN JAPAN?
Recently courses once open to members only are now welcoming the public and often
at very reasonable prices. International golfers looking to try something different will
love golf in Japan’s unique blend of ancient culture and cutting edge technology. It's a
slight twist from the grand old game you might be used to, but if you replace your scotch
whiskey with sake, you'll be in for a golf experience you'll never forget!
Bennett J. Galloway, Professional golfer and writer based in Japan
