The concept behind this schedule is to use Tokyo as your base. Travel every day or second day to courses that are close to your hotel. Using Tokyo as your starting and endpoint will make golf an all-day affair, but what an enjoyable affair it is. This plan is the perfect blend of playing great golf courses while having the opportunity to explore the wonderful city of Tokyo.

The reason it takes all day to play golf around Tokyo is due the travel requirements and the hour stop between each nine for lunch. Tokyo has a vast urban sprawl so it takes an hour to reach a destination where golf courses exist. Don't let this deter you however as all modes of transport in Japan are highly efficient, absolutely spotless, and a lot of fun. Peering out the window of a Japanese bullet train moving at 250km/h or taking private transport with your golfing buddies can make it a fun experience.

Once you have finished golf and travelled back to Tokyo, the day really only allows enough time to dump your clubs at the hotel, have a shower, and head out for dinner. For this reason, as I stated earlier, I recommend guests consider taking one or two days off golf at some stage during their trip. It just allows you to have a great day in town with a few late afternoon drinks and dinner and maybe kick on to see what the Tokyo nightlife has to offer. Sleep in the next morning, a little brunch, and maybe catch an afternoon baseball game or give your credit card a workout in Omotesando. The whole premise behind this suggestion is to encourage people not to play golf in Japan hungover. It really just dilutes the whole experience. If you do feel the need to paint the town red then make sure you have the next day off to recover.

The feedback from our overseas guests and my personal thoughts have allowed me to formulate the following suggestions of courses you may want to consider on your trip.

Taiheiyo Konan is a personal favorite and the site of the 2015 Japan PGA championship. It’s a beautiful parkland course in Saitama with slight undulations, fast greens, and perfect fairways. It’s only about 80km from central Tokyo, so it's a relatively short day trip by Japanese standards. Trains from Tokyo station will travel to Kumagaya station (38 minutes) and a taxi ride or the Taiheiyo club bus will have you at the course shortly after. This is a place where private transport is a great option (80 minutes) and should always be considered. An early tee time could have you back in Tokyo in the mid afternoon.

Taiheiyo Minori was the site of the 2016, 2017 and 2020 TOTO Classic, a co-sanctioned professional tournament between the Japan LPGA and the USLPGA. A wonderful tree-lined course that is always in great shape with large rolling greens. Much like the Konan course, it’s just a day trip from Tokyo (57 minutes from Tokyo station to Ishioka station and another 15 mins by club bus or taxi to the course). Private transport (85 minutes) is the best option to Minori.

Taiheiyo Narita is a Gary Player designed course just 15 minutes away from the Narita International Airport. A hilly layout and a tournament venue. Narita has a stretch of holes on the back nine that are both iconic and memorable. The course can be played after you land or before you leave to fly home. It’s imperative to play this course at some stage during the trip and is easy to access by trains or private transport. Private transport will take one hour from central Tokyo and the Narita Express will have you at Narita airport in 50 minutes from Tokyo or Shinjuku station. A short taxi ride is all that's required from there.

If you keen to play an extra round then consider Taiheiyo Club’s newest acquisition, Taiheiyo Yachiyo. Less than 50km directly east of Tokyo this walking course is a delight. The advantage of Yachiyo is you are able to play straight through, without the compulsory lunch break. This saves an hour so an early tee time could have you back in Tokyo for lunch. I suggest private transport here although there is a direct train from central Tokyo. It takes no more than 1 hour to arrive at the course by private transport from central Tokyo.

Notable mentions:

I did not include the Taiheiyo courses below in the initial list as they are just a little further away from Tokyo. These courses can certainly be included and are in no way inferior to the courses listed above:

• Mashiko PGA

• Ichihara

• Oarai Sherwood

• Gotemba

• Gotemba West