THERE’S no way to hide it … golf is massive in Japan.
And it’s surprisingly cheaper than you might imagine in a country where land is at such a premium, compared to Australia.
In a country where manners and cleanliness are so valued, their golf courses are equally as impressive.
And if you haven’t considered a golfing holiday there, well, it’s time we gave you just a glimpse of what’s on offer.
Golf is actually an extremely accessible sport in Japan and while largely undiscovered by international golf lovers, this country’s courses will strike you with their beauty, perfect course maintenance and warm hospitality.
We don’t need to remind you that golf is a popular leisure activity in Japan, with the country ranking third worldwide in the number of golf resorts.
If you’re wondering where to enjoy golf in or around Tokyo, look no further than Ibaraki. It is one of Japan’s top-10 golf destinations.
This region was named “Hitachi Province” in the 7th century meaning “vast land with abundant water and a pleasant place to live” and people in Ibaraki have been well off since the old days.
From flower plains to a myriad of Sake breweries, Ibaraki holds some of Japan’s richest and secret spots not made wholly aware to many Australians. Ibaraki is located in the Kanto region of Japan, north-east of Tokyo along the Pacific Coast.
It is an area with an abundance of Japanese culture and its tradition flows from its beautiful natural surroundings, multitude of shrines and delicious food.
You can see that the historical and cultural traditions of the Mito domain are deeply rooted in historical buildings such as Kairakuen, Kodo-kan, and Tobu-kan.
The land is blessed with abundant natural resources, and delicious cuisine is available due to the availability of fresh seafood and agricultural products.
The good news is golf courses in Ibaraki are within easy reach of Tokyo and Narita/Haneda International Airports.
Surrounded by diverse nature including sea, mountains, rivers and lakes, it is no surprise that Ibaraki is renowned as the ‘treasure trove of golf courses’.
This area boasts an incredibly diverse array of golfing challenges with 114 golf courses in just the prefecture itself; Ibaraki actually holds the fifth largest number of golf courses in Japan.
It is an area blessed with a warm climate and few snowfalls, making it just as enjoyable to play golf all year round.
No less than 10 Ibaraki golf courses have previously hosted Japan’s finest golf tournaments while casual games are also available at the weekday rate of around 4000 yen ($45).
Playing the courses in Ibaraki ranges from flat courses overlooking the stunning view of the ocean that utilize the vast plains and gentle sloping terrain of the Kanto Plain, to hilly courses in the woods.
Indeed it is sure to suit every golfer’s needs, even for those on a budget.
Uniquely, some Ibaraki golf courses are equipped with golfing Segways, a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric personal transportation vehicle.
More golfers seem to be aiming for an alternative and unique way to get around the golf course with these special transports.
This month Inside Golf is going to give you a tiny review of what is available at some of the golf resorts of Ibaraki.
Here international visitors can enjoy some of the best golf in Japan.
And in addition to these excellent golf courses, there are facilities offering delicious local cuisine, hot springs, coaching, and easy access to great places to visit nearby.
1. Oarai Golf Club:
Oarai is also known by knowledgeable golfers as the location of Oarai Golf Club, one of the best golf course in Japan.
Created in 1953 by respected designer Seiichi Inoue, Oarai is one of only a few seaside courses in Japan and is laid out on the shores of the Pacific with many of its wide fairways doglegged and lined with age-old black pine trees.
Despite the shelter afforded by many trees around the course, strong winds off the ocean can badly affect good scoring at Oarai, as many professionals discovered when playing the Japan Open there in 1998. Not that the sea breezes prevented Hidemichi Tanaka from winning the competition for the first time.
Relentless wind from the ocean influences the game.
All holes, except the par-three 16th are set parallel to the shore.
Years of sea wind blowing through each hole created artistic designs on the pine branches.
As a result, the big pines hang over fairways severely on many holes and act as ‘hazards in the air’, limiting the fairways.
Fairway bunkers are very few in spite of the Seichi Inoue design.
This is due to the fact the pines seemingly form more severe hazards than fairway bunkers.
You need to not only hit accurate tee shots to either half of the narrow fairways but also have command of low balls, fades and draws in order to score well here.
Seiichi Inoue is the most famous Japanese golf course architect, who designed 40 courses in Japan and two overseas.
The Oarai GC is his best work.
Website: www.oarai-golf-club.co.jp/
2. Taiheiyo Club Oarai (Sherwood Course):
Easy to use by international guests, Taiheiyo Club Oarai Sherwood Course is also located in Oarai, a city by the Pacific Ocean.
Nestled among densely forested hills, the facility was named after Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest.
The lakes scattered around the holes allow golfers to enjoy some thrilling shots. One of the highlights of the Taiheiyo Club Oarai Sherwood Course is the restaurant overlooking the course.
The menu consists of exquisite Japanese and Western dishes made with seasonal ingredients, including the high-quality seafood that Oarai is famous for.
The resort is operated by Taiheiyo Club, one of Japan’s golf chains in the field which boasts 18 facilities throughout the country.
Taiheiyo Club is affiliated with prestigious golf clubs from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries worldwide.
Members of partner clubs are automatically members of Taiheiyo Club and enjoy an entire array of privileges in addition to access to all its facilities in Japan. They also have an English page with tips and information on how to enjoy golf in Japan to the fullest.
After an exciting golf session at Taiheiyo Club Oarai Sherwood Course, how about exploring local highlights such as Oarai Isosaki Shrine with its beautiful torii gate located on a rock in the ocean, fish market, or maybe even Hitachi Seaside Park, which is famous for its nemophila flowers in spring?
Website: www.taiheiyoclub.com/oarai-sherwood
3. PGM Ishioka Golf Club:
A leading tournament course, the layout at PGM Ishioka Golf Club was designed by one of the greatest golfers of all time, Jack Nicklaus.
He himself praised it as “the best among all the golf courses in Japan that I know.”
The course makes full use of the natural terrain and requires strategic playing; golfers will need every club in the bag.
Due to its exceptional course, PGM Ishioka Golf Club has served as the venue for various national and world tournaments, including the Acom International men’s professional tournament, the Honma Tour World Cup, and others.
Just recently, the first-ever European Tour event was held in Japan.
The facility also takes pride in its extensive restaurant menu, which includes Japanese and Western dishes.
Guests can enjoy flavourful seafood and hamburger menus, beef steaks, soba noodle dishes with tempura, and a wide range of desserts.
There’s also Lake Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan, which is just 15 minutes away by car offering picturesque views even for cyclists.
Website: www.pacificgolf.co.jp/ishioka/
4. Shishido Hills Country Club:
Since 2017, Shishido Hills has been host to the Japan Golf Tour Championship.
There are two 18 holes courses. Higashi (East) course is a forest course, featuring spacious and flat fairways lined by old trees.
Nishi (West) course features undulated fairways and many bunkers that are strategically placed.
West course is a real championship course that has played to host professional tournaments.
The East is the oldest of the two, incorporates an American-style design with Japanese-style landscaping.
Their two clubhouses are large and offer traditional Japanese fare.
Kasama City, where Shishido Hills is located, also offers sightseeing opportunities. The city is home to Kasama Inari Shrine (one of Japan’s three most famous Inari shrines), Kasama-yaki (traditional pottery), and the Sudo Honke (the oldest sake brewery in Japan). The city is also Japan’s largest producer of chestnuts.
Website: www.shishido.co.jp/shishido/
5. Shin Seizansou Country Club:
Here is a hilly course for advanced
golfers.
Standing out through its dome-shaped clubhouse, the course at Shin Seizansou Country Club is located on a hilly terrain overlooking the surrounding area.
Designed by famous American golf designer Pete Dye, who also worked on TPC Sawgrass Florida, this course has challenging undulations, green islands, and other hazards that require bold decisions and precise shots.
Transportation around the course is done with golf carts without caddies and their carts are equipped with the latest navigation system.
Visitors can stay overnight in the lodge-style hotel or in one of the eight log housetype villas, which allow them to enjoy the spirit of an outdoor adventure.
In addition to the restaurant that provides excellent meals such as sukiyaki, sushi, and Japanese kaiseki cuisine, there is also an izakaya (Japanese-style bar) where guests can unwind at the end of the day.
Shin Seizansou Country Club is located in Hitachiota, home to the spectacular Ryujin Gorge.
Website: www.unimat-golf.jp/seizansou/
As you have read by now, golf is quite an enjoyable experience that can meet the needs of various players in Ibaraki.
There are traditions to uphold – but most golfers in Australia would expect that. For instance, it is customary to have lunch during a one-hour break after the ninth hole so visitors can take this opportunity to sample the local specialties.
Prestigious clubs have a dress code and while the requirements may differ for each resort, casual clothing such as jeans, T-shirts and sandals are not acceptable.
Golfers are usually required to wear jackets (except in summer). Also, shoes with metal spikes are also prohibited.
At some golf clubs, tattoos need to be hidden underneath the clothes, while at others, tattoos are completely prohibited.
Most golf resorts have a bathing area or hot springs where you can refresh after completing the course. Japanese bathing etiquette requires cleansing one’s body before entering the large bath.
Enjoy playing golf on high-quality courses with the golf culture of Ibaraki and don’t forget to explore the local tourist attractions.
Book a Tokyo and Ibaraki fully-escorted eight-day golf tour at CGE Golf. Log on to www.cgegolf.com.au/golf-experiences/tokyo-ibaraki-golf-experience-2024.
Want to enjoy Ibaraki to the fullest? Book a seven-day Ibaraki golf tour with five rounds of golf at Gimme Golf. Log onto
www.gimmegolf.com.au/itinerary/itinerary_details/98/67/Ibaraki-Golf-Tour
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