Lost In Translation Kawaguchiko CC
Kawaguchiko C.C 2nd hole, South course. Featured in the movie Lost In Translation.
In 2003 ‘Lost In Translation’ was released and was a movie that spurned a generation, including me, to travel to Japan. There was an added element of intrigue as there is a scene in the movie where the lead actor, Bill Murray, plays golf on the most stunning looking course I had ever seen. The hole was lined with Japanese cedars with a lone tree sitting in the centre of the fairway, something I had never seen before. Behind the tree sat Mt Fuji which was quite overwhelming sitting in a cinema, making it an instant bucket list course. Some 16 years later, after having lived in Japan for 5 years, I had the opportunity to play Kawaguchiko Country Club, the course from this famous scene.
Kawaguchiko Country Club is a private course that is located in the town of Fujikawaguchiko in the Yamanashi Prefecture. It sits at the north eastern foothills of Mt Fuji and is just over 100 km from the centre of Tokyo. The best mode of transport is a 1.5 hour bus ride from Shinjuku station to Kawaguchiko station. Fujikawaguchiko is a resort town which is used as a base for people climbing Mt Fuji or those who want to enjoy the activities on Lake Kawaguchi, one of the 5 scenic Mt Fuji lakes.
The drive from the hotel I stayed in (Hotori No Hotel Ban) was about 10 minutes by taxi and the road towards the course was everything I expected it to be. Towering cedars line the entrance to the course and the beautiful clubhouse radiating a welcoming feel. The tudor style of the clubhouse looks like something from the english countryside and although only 42 years old, creates a charm of something much older.
Kawaguchiko CC tudor style clubhouse.
A quick Japanese breakfast in the restaurant and a chat with my close golf pro friend, Yuma Ohno, and we were off.
Before you begin your round, just make sure you make the 150 metre walk to the driving range. I won’t ruin the surprise by posting a photo but if the day is clear the backdrop to the range is of another world.
The Kawaguchiko Country Club consists of 27 holes named East, West and South. This particular day I played the East-South combination which was interesting because of their diversity. The East course is a typical Japanese course where each hole has 2 greens, usually consisting of two unimaginative round greens surrounded by poor bunkering. Kawaguchiko however has excellent green complexes with small imaginative undulating greens surrounded by some lovely traditional looking bunkering.
The small, shallow and very tricky 1st green.
The East course also has two holes of which I have never seen before. The 1st and 6th holes both have two greens which are separated by about 100 yards. The holes are a Y shape, starting with a straight tee shot with one green doglegging right and the other left. The 6th hole is especially spectacular as Mt Fuji is the backdrop. The tee markers display which green is in play for that day, making sure you don’t play to the wrong green. (See the white marker below with the red line through it denoting the right green was in play).
Kawaguchiko East 6th Y shaped hole.
The second shot into the 6th hole. Accuracy is a premium off the tee.
As is always the case in Japan we had our 45 minute break for lunch and ready for something off the amazing menu. One of the nicest parts is the shady balcony in front of the restaurant that is a pretty place to park yourself for breakfast or lunch if the weather permits.
After finishing lunch and playing the short par 4th first hole of the south course we travelled slowly up the hill towards the second tee. I have to say I was excited to see the hole that 16 years before had captured my imagination. Standing on the tee box made all the effort worthwhile. The hole looked exactly like the scene in the movie and I must say I was not disappointed. The lone cedar in the center of the thickly tree-lined fairway, with Mt Fuji looming ominously, made it a memorable experience. A few photos were taken and a couple of videos and we were off. The hole is a par 5 of 518 yards which moves left, requiring a fade to reach the green if you are going for it in two shots. The green is well bunkered and slopey and once completed I felt I had accomplished something quite cool.
The rest of the east course is littered with native Japanese trees and wonderful views of Mt Fuji and surrounding mountain ranges. The tee shot on the 4th and the second shot into the 8th are photo-worthy as is the rest of the course to be honest.
Tee shot on the par 5 4th hole. Trees blocking bunker shots are quite popular in Japan.
After a quick shower and a quick look in the pro shop, I settled my bill at reception. The green fee for the day coupled with the hotel stay and transport to Fujikawaguchiko and back was not cheap but in all honesty i would do again in a heartbeat.
Just a suggestion. If I had to do it again I would stay another night after golf and soak up a little of what this place has to offer. The town has plenty of hotels and great restaurants which is reason enough to leave the next morning. If you are traveling back to Tokyo by bus in the late afternoon be warned, it could take you 4 hours like it took me. Another good reason to stay the night.
‘My bathroom is messier than yours, although it’s not like you aren’t trying’.