Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe

Having lived in Tokyo for 7 years I have tried to experience as many cities as possible in Japan. I believed it was important in regards to offering intelligent suggestions on the best places to stay and play golf in for our international guests. For the first few years, my golf experiences surrounded Tokyo and understandably so with Taiheiyo Club owning and operating 15 clubs around the nation’s capital. As I began to travel more I found the golfing experience in the Kansai region to be more varied and cultured than in Tokyo. I am not saying that Tokyo is not cultured, because it is, but Osaka and Kobe and specifically Kyoto offers much greater cultural diversity. One of the advantages of playing golf in the Kansai region, especially the Taiheiyo courses, is their proximity to Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. The courses lay within an hour of Kobe and Osaka and just over an hour from Kyoto (if you are driving), making them so much more accessible than the courses in Tokyo. The opportunity to reach your hotel an hour or less after finishing golf, to enjoy the afternoon exploring somewhere like Kobe, for me, is a strong reason why every golfer should consider the Kansai region.

One of the pleasures of the Kansai experience is choosing what cultural experience you prefer to surround yourself with. The list below gives a glimpse into, from a golfers perspective, what each town entails. I think the choice really is between Osaka and Kyoto. Kobe, as wonderful as it is, can be explored in the afternoon and evening. It’s only 30 minutes by train from Kyoto (by bullet train) and about the same to Osaka on a local train.

Osaka

Osaka to me is like a smaller version of Tokyo but a little rougher around the edges and slightly less refined, but I like that. Osaka has a great personality and so do the people. There is no doubt they are a little more outgoing and unique than their counterparts in Tokyo. It’s tougher to get around as there is less English spoken but that always makes for an unforgettable experience and worth the extra effort. It's the food capital of Japan and the nightlife is off the charts. The shopping is everything you expect from Japan and the area around Namba station is a shoppers paradise.

Kyoto

Kyoto moves at a completely different speed. A more traditional and culturally rich area that has sightseeing for days. It’s charming, romantic and if you prefer traditional Japanese food, ryokan inns, and a zen appeal then this might be the place for you. I have traveled to Kyoto a few times and enjoy the less hectic feeling that the larger cities creare. The shopping districts are a mix of branded retail giants but around the corner sits the rich history of Kyoto, displayed in the traditional arts and craft shops. Kyoto also has nightlife but is not even close to that of Osaka. I think that's how the local people like it.

Kobe

The lesser-known city of Kobe should always be considered because it is just a 30-minute commute by car to Taiheiyo Clubs Rokko or Arima courses. If you decide not to stay in Kobe and prefer Osaka or Kyoto then just make sure you spend an afternoon and evening in Kobe. Kobe Harbourland is stunning and has a bevy of beautiful restaurants overlooking the water and a fabulous shopping area. If you are keen to try some Kobe beef then I suggest a little restaurant called Yuzaburo. It's a small 8 seater counter-style restaurant that you must book in advance. It has a sitting at 6 pm and one at 8 pm and the chef is an English speaker. It's a short walk from Sannomiya Station and is an absolute must.

Whichever city you decide to base yourself in will be the right option. They are all unique and will cater perfectly to whatever flavor you prefer. The Kansai region is very accessible from Tokyo so if you fly into Narita or Haneda airport you would be silly not to spend at least a few days down there during your stay. Once in the Kansai region, the best transport option to and from the courses each day is private transport. It’s quick, convenient, and once you split the cost not overly expensive. I am also happy to organize this free of charge for our guests.