If you are keen to mix the bright lights of Tokyo and the quiet countryside of Japan then this is the trip that might interest you. It provides the best of both worlds and is the most popular schedule for our overseas guests. If playing golf near Tokyo and beside Mt Fuji or Mt Asama is something you aspire to, then please read on.

The Tour

I suggest staying in Tokyo the first night after arriving as it gives you time to settle after the long journey. The opportunity to park yourself at a sushi bar in Tokyo and have a few glasses of sake will help with a good night’s sleep before embarking on what will be an unforgettable experience.

For the first night choose a hotel close to Tokyo, Ueno, or Shinjuku train stations as they are the destinations from which your travel will begin the next day. These areas have an abundance of hotels and importantly direct access from Narita airport, which makes them a perfect starting point. Just a note, if you decide to take trains on the first day then a little reconnaissance mission might be necessary the day before. If you cannot check the station the day before then arrive at least an hour before your train is scheduled to leave as the labyrinth-like train stations can be difficult to navigate.

The beginning of the journey should start by travelling to the countryside areas from Tokyo. Once you have played in the countryside then it’s back to Tokyo which will be your base as the days continue.

Gotemba vs Karuizawa

Which countryside destination should you choose?

Your first choice will be deciding which of these beautiful towns will be the destination where your Japanese golfing journey will begin. Whichever place you decide will be the right choice, so have a glance at the information below to see which might appeal to you.

Gotemba

Breathtakingly sleepy best describes Gotemba. Just over an hour by train or private transport from Tokyo this relatively small town sits on the southeastern side of Mt Fuji. Part of the Shizuoka prefecture, Gotemba is visited by travelers to access Mt Fuji, shop at the Premium Outlet shopping mall and play golf. The jewel of the Gotemba golfing scene is the Taiheiyo Gotemba course. Taiheiyo Clubs flagship course currently ranks at number 5 in Japan and is the venue for the world-renowned Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters. The views of Mt Fuji are abundant and the layout is both challenging and conditioning unparalleled. Beside Taiheiyo Gotemba sits the Taiheiyo West course which is quite different but equally appealing. This pretty layout meanders through Japanese cedars and is a little shorter and slightly easier than its bigger brother. The West course has a 23 room newly refurbished boutique hotel and club restaurant serving up tasty Japanese and Italian cuisine. After dark Gotemba tends to be rather quiet although a few restaurants and late-night haunts can be found closer to Gotemba station.

Karuizawa

Karuizawa may lack Mt Fuji and the 5th ranked golf course in Japan but it certainly makes up for in other ways. Karuizawa is just over an hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo and is where the wealthy Tokyoites reside during summer. What Gotemba lacks in extracurricular activities Karuizawa more than makes up for. Upscale hotels, restaurants, cafes, and beautiful retail outlets are some of the attractions. As a golfer, it's a destination that can only be played from mid-April to the end of October as snow settles on the fairways during winter. The Taiheiyo Karuizawa property sits at the base of Mt Asama and the 36 hole, 85 room newly refurbished hotel looks like something from a Vogue magazine. The Asama and Shirakaba courses are both cut through Japanese karamatsu trees which gives it an Augusta National feel. Three world-class restaurants (Japanese, Korean BBQ, and Italian ) and a wine bar make staying on-site an easy choice. The club buses will shuttle guests back and forth to the train station and shopping districts so if you would like to venture out there is plenty to see and do. If you are traveling in the warmer months to Japan then Karuizawa is the perfect option. On average Karuizawa is 5 - 8 degrees cooler than Tokyo and is a nice respite during the hot and humid Japanese summer.

Back to Tokyo

After golf on the second day in Karuizawa or Gotemba, you can either head back to Tokyo or spend another night at either of the Taiheiyo hotels. I suggest heading into Karuizawa or Gotemba to do some shopping at the outlet malls which are both about 25 minutes from the hotels. There are over 200 stores on both properties and is a superb experience. After shopping head back to the hotel for dinner and a few drinks before falling into bed for a well-deserved rest. Head back to Tokyo the following morning.

Once you are in Tokyo it depends on how many days you have left as to how many more games you might decide to play. I suggest you pick the courses from the Tokyo Tour while using Tokyo as your base as you take daily trips to the course. Just make sure you leave a day off in between rounds to kick back, relax and soak up the sights and sounds of Tokyo.