The western region of Shizuoka prefecture faces the Pacific Ocean and is blessed with abundant natural landscapes including mountains and plains. Famous global brands such as Suzuki and Yamaha are headquartered here. Access by bullet train and freeways, Japan’s main arteries, is excellent. Enjoy golf through four seasons in Shizuoka’s mild climate.
Katsuragi Golf course has 36 holes created by one of Japan’s top course designers, Seiichi Inoue. These are the highly strategic “Yamana Course”, and the “Ugari Course” that spreads over gentle hills. Choose your course to suit your style.
Yamana Course: Surrounded by lush forest, this course not only offers fine views, but also the unique layout of ponds and bunkers challenges a golfer’s desire to conquer. It is also the venue for an annual ladies’ open tournament on the Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association of Japan, JLPGA, Tour.
Ugari Course: Ugari Course is a long hill course with well-balanced holes that demands accuracy.
Katsuragi Golf Club
Katsuragi Golf Club
Katsuragi Golf Club
Katsuragi Golf Club
Shizuoka Country Hamaoka Courses
Omaezaki city, Shizuoka
Takamatsu Course
Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Length: 6,590 y | Course Rate: – | Type: Private Course Designer: Rees Jones
Ogasa Course
Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Length: 6,621 y | Course Rate: – | Type: Private Course Designer: Rees Jones
At Shizuoka Country Hamaoka Courses, you can enjoy two diverse courses that are rich in strategy, while admiring the beautiful scenery overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Both Takamatsu Course and Ogasa Course were completely renovated in 2020 by world-famous Rees Jones, who has worked on numerous courses that have hosted the US Open and PGA Tour. The Hamaoka courses are well known all over the country for having hosted the Professional Golfers’ Association of Japan tour.
”Katsuragi Hotel Kitanomaru” is an extraordinary modern-day Japanese castle created and developed by the Yamaha Group. The finest of Japan is expressed with luxurious space and traditional beauty through master craftmanship relocation of a historic mansion. With attention to every detail, the mansion has been transformed into luxury accommodation that combines Japanese traditional aesthetic ideals with modern conveniences. Relax and unleash your mind and body at Katsuragi Hotel Kitanomaru, where sensitivity that Yamaha has cultivated through sound and music dwells. Enjoy how nature changes with the seasons.
Shizuoka Country Hamaoka Course & Hotel is a white-walled hotel located on a gentle hill above the Pacific Ocean. While enjoying this magnificent scenery, relax on the classical furniture in a spacious high-quality atmosphere.
The hotel is adjacent to a golf course and features a heliport, a museum, and a sauna facility. There are many types of rooms, including Suite, Deluxe, Japanese tatami room and Single room. They have ocean view side room and golf course side room, and guests can change into their golf shoes and access the course directly from their rooms. Relax and soothe away the tiredness of your round in the authentic Finnish sauna overlooking the Pacific.
If you’d like access to beautiful golf courses surrounded by scenic natural ocean vistas, lush volcanic mountains with access to hot springs and great local cuisine, there’s a special place you need to visit. Welcome to golf on the Izu peninsula, Shizuoka Japan. Due to its volcanic nature the Izu peninsula features abundant hot spring resorts with a total of twelve 18-hole golf courses, including one Golf Magazine World Top 100-ranked club, the Kawana Hotels Fuji course. It ranks 62nd in the world by Golf Magazine as of 2022, so take this opportunity to come experience this club and more. So should you be up for an amazing golf adventure this is a “bucket list” golf destination you need to experience!
If golf with an ocean view is what you are looking for the Kawana hotel’s Fuji and Oshima 18’s are two of the finest coastal links courses you’ll find anywhere in the world. Situated on a rocky point the Fuji course firmly ranks in world’s top 100 best courses. With its elevated greens and sunken fairways, and the Pacific Ocean crashing on the rocks below, it’s a breathtaking and memorable round! Even Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio have stayed here!
Established in 1976 this 5,819-yard resort course welcomes guests to its upbeat chic clubhouse and facility for exhilarating rounds followed by relaxing stays throughout the year. Designed for golfers of all abilities the course has plenty of stimulating elevation changes with multiple tee options, but don’t worry, each group gets a 4 person remote controlled motorized cart. Enjoy a therapeutic hot springs bath after your round.
Established in the golden age of golf course construction, this Seizo Tomizawa designed course has a timeless design and feel. Established in 1958 each hole requires intelligent course management to score well and many holes provide picturesque Mt. Fuji views! There is a 220-yard driving range in the facility with several types of approach and bunker practice areas. Professional lessons using the swing analyzer (GEARS) are also available as well as a lodge for members and guests to stay at. This club has a strong and loyal membership.
Carved on a mountainside plateau, the course layout was designed to conserve the natural topography as much as possible. This esthetically pleasing, well-manicured course has a combination of forest and mountain views with generous fairways and fun technical greens. A golf cart equipped with GPS that can measure the remaining distance supports a comfortable your round. The full service English manner style hotel is impressive.
Although not an overly long course it has a rich variety of up and down hill holes that will challenge your intellect. There are also some over the valley and dog-leg holes that those with local course knowledge will have an advantage, so play wisely! There are nice double cut fairways and this is a 2 green configuration, so be sure to check the yardage markers on the side that the green is on! Enjoy their specialty sizzling lunch steak, a local favorite!
Enjoy spacious rooms with private hot spring (onsen) options and all with that familiar Marriott brand elegance and hospitality. Visit the spa for some hot stone treatments to really loosen up your lower back after your round. Fresh air and Mt. Fuji views are available from the front side of the hotel with golf course views on the other. Convenient location to 4 nearby courses makes this a great option to base your stay at.
Located on the east coast of the magnificent Izu Peninsula, Kawana Hotel has been proud of its tradition and prestige since opening in 1936. Kawana impresses golfers from all over the world with its warm climate, rich sunshine, blue sky, and expansive Pacific Ocean scenery. Relax in this classic hotel.
When people think of eel in Japan, the first place that comes to mind is Hamamatsu City, but Mishima is in fact also famous for its eel. Unlike in Hamamatsu, eel is not actually raised in Mishima, but keeping the eel in the subterranean waters of Mt. Fuji for four to five days eliminates the fishy, muddy odors, making the eel very tasty. This is why Mishima eel are famous.
Seseragi or the murmuring of the river can be heard in every corner of Mishima City, and you can take a leisurely stroll around the tourist attractions. Among these, the Genbe River is a stream formed by the coming together of various springs. You could call it the symbol of Mishima. Stepping stones have been placed in the river along the Genbe River Waterside Promenade, and you can enjoy a “Seseargi Walk” while feeling the clear spring water. In the summer, it is a popular place to relax and enjoy playing in the water.
Izu Panorama Park is a very popular tourist spot where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Fuji, Suruga Bay, and the mountains of Izu. With not only scenic views, but also nature walks, delicious gourmet food, private spaces and athletic fields, this facility is for everyone, young and old.
Shuzenji Onsen is one of the most famous hot springs in Izu, with many ryokan inns in genuine Japanese style lining both banks of the river. Legend has it that hot spring water gushed forth from the exact spot where Kukai (Kobo Daishi) struck his Dokko (a Buddhist weapon used to crush resentment, expel enemies and destroy evil). This hot spring water continues to come forth at the riverside in the center of the hot spring town even today, and it is both a symbol of Shuzenji Onsen and a representative landmark of the hot spring town Shuzenji. Many of the inns are authentic Japanese-style inns built in the Sukiya-zukuri style and have magnificent gardens. Combined with the historical sites wrapped in greenery, this hot spring resort exudes a tranquil atmosphere. Also beloved by the author Natsume Soseki, it is very popular among Japanese people.
The Jogasaki Coast has a complex topography created by lava flowing into Sagami Bay. The northern part of the island, near Cape Kadowaki, is a good place to see the structure of lava flows and the mechanism of land formation. From the suspension bridge, you can see the columnar joints that formed as the lava cooled, as well as the process by which the lava flowed while destroying the already cooled and hardened surface layer.
Taxi
Komuroyama Ridge Walk MISORA
The Komuroyama Ridge Walk “MISORA”, which offers spectacular 360° views across ocean and land, opened on the summit of Mt. Komuro within the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, – known for its impressive displays of gorgeous azaleas in spring. The loop-shaped promenade, at 321m above sea level with a total length of 166.3m, provides vistas of Mount Fuji, Sagami Bay, the Boso Peninsula, the Seven Islands of Izu and the Amagi Mountain Range. An onsite café with observation deck serves a delicious selection of refreshments.
There is nothing more memorable than hitting a perfect tee shot straight down the fairway, with Mt. Fuji so close, it literally towers over you! If you are looking for an unforgettable golf destination and experience, the Gotemba and Oyama valley awaits! Just a little over an hour from the bustling Tokyo city lies a valley abundant with natural hot springs, wide-open countryside and 20 amazing golf courses. This resort rich area has undoubtedly the best views that you’ll find anywhere in Japan of the famous mountain. The land gently sloping away from Mt. Fuji beckoned for golf course construction. Japan’s budding resort and golf industry stepped up with the best domestic and the world’s most famous course designers to accentuate this spectacular and memorable scenery. Match this with numerous natural hot springs, the unique culture and fine local cuisine and you’ve got a must experience new golf destination.
Fuji Country Club is a traditional course designed by one of Japan’s most prolific designers of the era, Shiro Akaboshi, and was founded way back in 1958. The clubhouse is even a registered cultural building and this course is always impeccably groomed year round! Each hole is memorable in its own right, but add in Mt. Fuji views from almost every hole and it’s outstanding!
Located on the side of the ancient volcano that formed the Hakone valley, Rembrandt Golf Club offers stunning views of nearby Mt. Fuji as well as the Gotemba valley, Ashitaka mountain and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. The starting holes flow downwards from the clubhouse, eventually meandering through the mature forest back up to the same elevation as the starting hole! A very memorable course well worth the price of admission.
This 36-hole facility features the Fuji Course (caddie only play) and the Otome Course (all self play) with both courses highlighting nature and Mt. Fuji vistas. Established in 1961 the clubhouse has been rebuilt to a modern luxurious standard providing all the services you and your guests would expect. Generally flat, there are multiple streams and ponds that, along with strategically placed mature pine trees, keep your round both challenging and exciting.
If it’s golf with a Mt. Fuji view you seek, Gotemba Golf Club is a challenging mountain course with stunning views all the way from the Pacific Ocean, on view to the south, to nearby Mt. Fuji straight ahead. Perched on a hilltop between the famous Hakone and Gotemba valleys this Shiro Akaboshi designed club makes for a perfect round providing a blend of fresh air, strategic holes and all day views of the Japanese countryside. Bring your camera!
Gotemba Golf Club
Gotemba Golf Club
Activities
Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery
For whiskey lovers a tour here is a must! Discover their special production methods and the secrets of their award winning taste. At an altitude of 620 meters the distillery is located in a large ancient forest on the up-slope of Mt. Fuji. You will start your tour with a bi-lingual video allowing you to learn how the trifecta of mild temperatures, moderate humidity and pure spring water from deep beneath the distillery combine to create the perfect conditions for producing world-class whiskeys.
Beginners to experts, Okamoto Riding Club is a friendly English and Japanese-speaking horse riding club in the Gotemba valley. Their horses are well trained and they offer European style riding catering to all disciplines including dressage and jumping. Lessons are 45 minutes and they have a clubhouse and an arena waiting area for visitors. This experience is for slightly more athletic people as your core muscles get quite a good workout. This activity also makes for great photo opportunities as well as getting closer to nature.
The HOTEL CLAD is a hot spring hotel located within the Gotemba Premium Outlets@ mall in a perfect location with unobstructed Mt. Fuji views. Newly opened in 2019 the facility is in top condition to provide not only a great base for golf tours, but even non-golfers can stay behind and enjoy the hot springs, spa and world class shopping staying entertained for days! Private hot springs are also available for hourly rentals.
Rembrandt Premium Fuji Gotemba is perched on the side of the Hakone Mountain overlooking the Gotemba valley surrounded by rich nature. Views from the rooms are stunning with perhaps the best Fuji vistas there are! The hotel’s luxurious architecture utilizes plenty of dark Italian marble reminiscent of the Middle Ages. The French restaurant here offers French-Japanese fusion cuisine with a variety of set menus that are not to be missed along with an extensive wine list. The on-site salon Mina Mahalo provides a combination of Shiatsu style and Hawaiian Lomilomi oil massage options that are perfect for post play rehabilitation.
Mars Garden Wood GOTEMBA is a resort hotel affording a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji. Accommodation and restaurants surround a vast, lush, green 6,600 square meter garden. The large natural hot spring open-air bath is a favorite with guests, as are seasonal dishes. The 2nd floor bar is the perfect spot to refresh after golf. Mars Garden Wood is very conveniently located 5 minutes’ drive from JR Gotemba Station. Adjacent to the Gotemba Interchange, the resort can also be accessed in about one hour’s drive directly from Tokyo. Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of Japan’s largest shopping malls, is just a 10-minute drive away.
Great weather, stunning views of Mt Fuji or the ocean and challenging courses easily accessible from Tokyo makes Shizuoka one of Japan’s premier golf destinations.
Hamamatsu is for Artisans, musicians, craftsman, tinkerers and people who like to dig a little deeper to discover the hidden jems – and for anyone who likes gyoza (Japanese dumplings).
Honda Motor company was founded in Hamamatsu and today some of Japan’s most famous brands such as Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawai Musical Instruments, Roland and Tokai Guitars call Hamamatsu home.
The biggest city in Shizuoka Prefecture on the surface Hamamatsu City seems like many other cities in Japan but make an effort and you will be rewarded as it is not until you dig a little deeper do you uncover the hidden gems – today craftsman and artisans in Hamamatsu are continuing to hone traditional crafts and techniques handed down over many generations.
From Hamamatsu Station the brackish Lake Hamana is also easily accessible which is a popular all-year destination due to the many activities and gourmet options on offer.
Follow the Tenryu River to the North and explore the Haruno area…
Kakegawa Station is the perfect stop for anyone who loves green tea, visitors looking for something a little more personal and a little more intimate, and for those who believe the journey is more important than the destination.
Easily Accessible from Kakegawa Station
Kakegawa City
Within easy walking distance of the station is one of Japan’s most unique castles and the castle grounds which include a tea ceremony house, an original Samurai Lord’s manor, a samurai armour shop and stain glass museum, a bird park full of exotic birds from around the world that you can feed and many great little restaurants and shops.
Spend a day wandering around the small castle town, enjoying some of the best green tea, and friendly locals.
Shizuoka Station is the perfect stop for lovers of fresh seafood, green tea enthusiasts and samurai period history buffs.
Located right on the coast of Suruga Bay which is famous for its abundance of seafood, many of the port towns close to Shizuoka offer some of the freshest seafood in Japan.
Shizuoka City is in the heart of Green Tea country and has a growing cafe culture with many boutique green tea shops
Famous as residence of possibly Japan’s most famous Samurai Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu Shizuoka holds a special place in Japanese history and the metropolitan city center retains much of its past charm.
As the name suggests Shin-Fuji is all about Mt Fuji – hikers, nature lovers, photographers and anyone interested in authentic local Japanese experiences at the foothills of this majestic mountain should consider stopping here.
Ever wondered what it would be like to live at the foothills of Mt Fuji – a short distance from Shin Fuji station is the small town of Fujinomiya which offers visitors an opportunity to experience this Majestic mountain in a whole new way.
Wander through the magical grounds of Fujinomiya City’s Taisha Sengen Shrine in your Yukata, take a bicycle ride down from Shiraito Waterfall through the surrounding rural area, stop in to meet the local award winning sake brewer, fly high above the ground in a paraglider or just sit quietly by a calm lake and enjoy unobstructed views of the majestic Mt Fuji.
If you want to climb Mt Fuji itself or take a more leisurely hike to the Mt Hoei crater and lush forest of the 5th station Fujinomiya provides the perfect starting point.
Easily Accessible from Shin-Fuji Station
Fujinomiya City
Mt Fuji Eco Tours, Mt Fuji Heritage Centre, Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, Mt Fuji 5th Station (Fujinomiya Trail) & Hoei Crater hiking
Mishima Station is a great place to hop off the Bullet Train as there is something for everyone easily accessible from the station. For Active, Sporty types who like to get out and moving AND Escapists, Families and those who just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Anyone looking for Rest, Relaxation and Rejuvenation.
Since the time of the Shogun and the establishment of the Old Tokaido Highway in the 17th Century Mishima Station has been a central location for travelers passing through.
Today is no different – from Mishima station there is a vast range of activities and experiences easily accessible and you could almost spend your whole Japan holiday based out of Mishima City and go home very happy!
If you are looking to get active and energized, you want to do some shopping, you want to jump on your bike, or you fancy 18 holes of golf or you are looking for a unique dining experience all at the foot hills of Mt Fuji, then head North to Gotemba and Oyama towns.
If you are looking for a slower pace, want to refresh and experience centuries old Japanese culture, tradition and hospitality or soak in a hot tub and read a good book by the river head South to Izunokuni, the famous onsen town of Shuzenji or explore the West Coast of Izu Peninsula.
Alternatively, if you have done enough train travel Mishima is a charming town full of lush green parks and beautiful temples and is perfect place to wander.
One things is constant – with the abundance of seafood, fresh wasabi, local craft beer and sake – no matter where you go the food in this part of Shizuoka is outstanding!
