Is Golf Expensive in Japan?
Taiheiyo Club Arima Restaurant and Clubhouse.
If you and your friends are considering a destination for your next golf trip then Japan should be at the top of your list. I believe most golfers are intrigued at the idea of playing golf in Japan but the common perception is golf is extraordinarily expensive here. That may have been the case a few decades ago but these days it could not be further from the truth. Japan is awash with wonderful golf courses at very reasonable prices that are accessible for anyone willing to make the effort to play them. Of course there are golf clubs that still charge a premium but I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how reasonably priced golf is.
The bubble era in Japan during the 1980s and early 1990s created a situation where golf became a luxury product. Then the bubble burst. In 2022 the days of exorbitant membership and green fees are long gone. Unfortunately what has remained is a narrative where golfers believe the game in Japan is for the well-heeled. Golf in Japan, like the rest of the world, is on the decline. Some 2,500 courses are competing in a shrinking market, ultimately making the paying customer the winner of the supply and demand game. These days golfers can play at some wonderful courses for around $80 to $150 USD which will include a green fee, tax, drive buggy, and a caddie.
My first piece of advice for playing golf in Japan is only playing golf on weekdays. More tee times are available and green fees can be drastically cheaper. Leave the weekends for hanging out in Tokyo. You will find the roads less crowded and train tickets more available during the week also. Some clubs will protect the course for members on weekends so play your golf while the rest of country is working.
I have listed some suggestions for courses you should consider. I have only suggested courses under the Taiheiyo umbrella because I can guarantee the courses will be in pristine condition and you will receive the full Taiheiyo experience. The other advantage is all the bookings can be done through me and I will assist in transport information and support with any other information that you may require.
Taiheiyo Club Karuizawa
Karuizawa is a stunning summer and winter retreat for wealthy Tokyoites and only a one-hour shinkansen ride from Tokyo. Taiheiyo Karuizawa is the jewel in this beautiful town which houses a newly refurbished 85 room hotel, 36 holes, 3 world-class restaurants (Japanese, Korean BBQ, Italian) and a wine bar. The Asama and Shirakaba courses are both Shunsuke Kato designs that meander through Japanese cedars set at the base of Mt Asama. The prices depend on the time of year but two games, accommodation, dinner (in a restaurant of your choice) and breakfast in the clubhouse will cost you $275 from mid-May to July and a little less from September to the end of November. Prices increase a little during peak times but it is still great value whatever season you decide to play. The club has free transfers to and from Karuizawa station each day and if you are keen on doing some shopping the world-famous Prince shopping complex beside Karuizawa station is a shoppers paradise. Taiheiyo Club also has english speaking staff on site to take care of international guests during their stay.
Taiheiyo Club Karuizawa.
Taiheiyo Club Takasaki
Takasaki city is part of Gunma prefecture which sits about 125km north-west of Tokyo. Takasaki is an authentically Japanese golf experience. It takes just over an hour from Tokyo station on either Shinkansen Asama 1 departing at 6:52 am or the Asama 3 departing at 7:24 am from Tokyo station. It will arrive at Annaka Haruna Station where the Taiheiyo club bus will collect you. The weekday green fee is $80 USD which includes a drive buggy. The reduced green fee is in no way a reflection of the course. The Gunma prefecture has an abundance of golf courses that all compete for golfer’s hard-earned money, keeping prices competitive. After golf, the club buses will drop you back at Annaka Haruna station where you have a choice to make. Either take the train back to Tokyo or take it the opposite way for 15 minutes and get off at Karuizawa Station where the Taiheiyo Club buses will wisk you to the Karuizawa property. See above.
Taiheiyo Club Mashiko PGA
The Mashiko course is in my top 5 courses under the Taiheiyo umbrella. The green fees are $82 USD without a caddy and $118 with a caddy (both include carts) and is amazing value for money. From Tokyo station take the Tohoku Hokkaido shinkansen which leaves at 7:12 am, arriving at Utsunomiya station at 8:08 am. Head to the east exit where the Taiheiyo Club bus will depart at 8:30 am. Thirty minutes later you will be in golfing heaven. This is a tournament layout and has some of the coolest holes from the hand of a true artist, Shunsuke Kato. After the game, the club bus will take you back to the station when you are ready. This course is definately one of the most underrated in Japan.
Kansai region (Osaka) – Taiheiyo Club Arima
Taiheiyo Club Arima. Fun course at a reasonable price.
Arima is just a whole lot of fun in a relaxed atmosphere. It shares a boundary fence with the Taiheiyo Clubs Kansai flagship course, Rokko. Taiheiyo Arima is just 30 minutes by car from Kobe or 50 minutes from the center of Osaka. I think because of the courses close proximity to these major cities it is easier to catch a taxi or organize private transport to the course rather than take local trains. Taiheiyo Arima does not have caddies but included in the $79 USD price is a drive buggy. The course has some great holes and is always in tip-top condition. I think an early tee time at Arima is a great option as it gives you the afternoon to explore one of the surrounding cities.
The additional costs for the day will include shinkansen tickets which are about $50 USD one way but the experience alone is worth double. The bullet trains have plenty of overhead space for golf clubs and the trip back to Tokyo with a cold Asahi in your hand cannot be denied. The breakfast/lunch break you have after nine holes is compulsory but eating is not. You would be silly not to try something delicious off the menu which will set you back around $10-20 USD.
The day in total might cost you $200 USD but a whole day of bullet trains, golf, Japanese food, and a few drinks is totally worth the effort.