Rural Japan Itinerary
If you prefer to just experience golf in a countryside setting then spending a few days in both Gotemba and Karuizawa is perfect for you. This schedule is both peaceful and relaxing as you leave Tokyo behind. There is less traveling on this itinerary as both locations have hotels and 36 hole golf courses that lay virtually at your doorstep.
Tokyo to Karuizawa
Karuizawa should be your first destination. The journey from Tokyo to Karuizawa takes 3 hours by private transport so the Shinkansen is a good option taking just over an hour. The bullet train will save you considerable time but more importantly is an experience that every golfer must try. The trains have plenty of overhead space for golf clubs and luggage and are an exhilarating way to begin your trip.
Day 1
Take the 6:52 am Hokuriku- Shinkansen Asama 601 from Tokyo station which arrives at Karuizawa station at 8:07 am. The Taiheiyo club bus leaves at 8:25 am and would have you at the clubhouse before 9 am. Register, have a coffee, and a warm-up, and tee off around 10 am on either of the stunning Karuizawa layouts. With the hour break in between each nine, you will step into the clubhouse for lunch and then back out for the back nine before finishing your game before 4 pm. After golf check into the hotel, freshen up, and maybe consider a couple of wines before having dinner at the Japanese restaurant.
Day 2 - Option 1
The following morning it’s up for breakfast in the clubhouse before a mid-morning tee time on the other course. I suggest heading into Karuizawa after golf as the shopping at the Prince Shopping plaza is a highlight. Coordinate with the club staff and take one of the club buses down to Karuizawa station where you will be dropped on the doorstep of this shopping mecca. You will have to take a taxi back (7,000 JPY) and once back at Taiheiyo Karuizawa I suggest Korean BBQ for dinner.
Day 2 - Option 2
This option involves traveling to the Gotemba West hotel directly after golf this day. You could tee off early this morning and be at the Gotemba hotel easily before dinner time, taking private transport.
Karuizawa to Gotemba
Day 3
Checking in at Taiheiyo Clubs Gotemba West hotel can only be done after 3 pm. I suggest leaving Taiheiyo Karuizawa at about 11 am so have some breakfast in the clubhouse before your journey. Private transport takes 3 hours from Karuizawa to Gotemba and is a lovely way to see the countryside. The driver can make dedicated stops for sightseeing and lunch and is a nice opportunity for everyone to sit back and do a little daydreaming.
The other transport option is to take a shinkansen from Karuizawa back into Tokyo station and then another shinkansen back out to the Gotemba area. It is doable, but take it from me, spend a few extra dollars and take the private transport option. You will thank me later I promise.
Once you have checked into the Gotemba West hotel then head down to the pro shop and do some browsing. Alternatively, if you are feeling energetic and the sky is clear, take a walk up the road that runs beside the hotel. Walk to the top which takes about 10 minutes, turn right and you will see an unobstructed view of Mt Fuji.
Besides the hotel is the clubhouse restaurant which has a great menu of Japanese and Italian food. I highly recommend it but make sure either myself or the hotel staff book you a table.
Day 4
Today you will be playing Taiheiyo Gotemba, the 5th best golf course and the most iconic in Japan. The hotel staff will organize transport to the Taiheiyo Gotemba course which is only a couple of minutes away. Make sure you get to the course an hour before to take in everything this stunning location has to offer. An absolute must is to browse the best pro shop in Japan, it’s really quite extraordinary. After golf the staff will organise transport back to the West hotel for R and R and dinner. If you are keen to see the outlet mall in Gotemba, then book an early tee time this day at Gotemba and catch a taxi into the shopping district. If you went to the retail outlet in Karuizawa then it’s probably not necessarily going to the one in Gotemba, unless you are a shopaholic. Dinner in town is possible although it’s easier if you head back to the Gotemba West restaurant.
Day 5
Today its breakfast followed by the Gotemba West experience. The course is at your doorstep and as you make your way around the course ask your caddie to take some action shots with Mt Fuji as the backdrop. Gotemba West is one of the most beautiful courses in Japan.
I would consider teeing off early and take a taxi to Mishima station (8,000 JPY) after golf. Mishima is about 30 - 40 minutes away and a shinkansen will wisk you back into Tokyo in less than an hour. There is a club bus that leaves the West course at 5 pm that makes a few stops before arriving at Mishima station at about 6:30 pm.
The best option is private transport that will take you from Gotemba West to your hotel in Tokyo as soon as you have finished playing golf. Once again it’s a few extra dollars compared to the bullet train but by this time you will be a little tired and I think you should treat yourself. A very simple 90-minute private car ride will see you at the front door of your Tokyo hotel, ready for the next phase of your trip.