Golf Play Guide

Your Guide to Playing Golf in Japan

Getting on a Japanese golf course used to mean navigating Japanese-only booking systems, finding translators, and hoping for the best. Here's how to do it the easy way.

Unique Experiences

What Makes Golf in Japan Special

Japanese golf culture offers experiences you won't find anywhere else — from full-course meals to onsen baths after your round.

  • Halfway House Lunch

    After your front 9, take a 45-minute lunch break at the clubhouse. Expect soba, tempura, ramen, or curry — and yes, a cold beer is perfectly acceptable.

  • Soak After Your Round

    Most Japanese golf courses feature a large communal bath, with towels and basic amenities provided on site. Hot springs are often found in the surrounding area — a perfect way to soak and relax after 18 holes. Note: tattoos are not permitted in bath facilities.

  • Omotenashi Hospitality

    On arrival, staff will take your clubs and carry them to your cart. After your round, your clubs are wiped down and cleaned before they are returned to you.

Know Before You Play

Types of Golf Courses in Japan

Japanese golf courses fall into three categories. Understanding the difference will help you know what to expect — especially regarding dress code and etiquette.

  • Public Course

    Open to anyone. No membership required. Dress code tends to be relaxed. Less common in Japan — most courses are Semi-Private.

  • Semi-Private Course

    Our courses are this type

    Member-owned, but non-members can book tee times — this is the majority of Japanese courses. Unlike fully private clubs (where even Japanese golfers cannot play without a membership), semi-private courses welcome visitors. Strict dress code applies — collar required, jeans and trainers not permitted.

  • Private Course

    Members and their guests only. Requires an introduction from an existing member. Most formal dress code. Not bookable by the general public.

Manners & Etiquette

Golf Course Etiquette in Japan

Japanese golf etiquette is rooted in the concept of Wa (和) — harmony and consideration for others. The rules exist to protect every player's experience. Foreigners who make an effort are always appreciated.

Dress Code

At the clubhouse: jacket or smart casual. No T-shirts, jeans, or sandals.

On the course: collared shirt required, tucked in. Long trousers recommended. Shorts must be knee-length with ankle socks.

On hot summer days, most courses waive the jacket requirement — check ahead if unsure.

In the restaurant: remove your hat. This is strictly observed.

On the Course

Pace of play: aim to finish each 9 holes in 2 hours 15 minutes. A course marshal will remind you if you fall behind.

Phones on silent. Calls are only permitted in designated areas.

Keep your voice down inside the clubhouse — a calm, quiet atmosphere is expected.

Divots: repair all divot damage. Rake bunkers flat after use, entering from the low side.

Japanese-Specific Rules

Forward 4 Rule: If you hit out of bounds, you play from a drop zone (yellow marker, ~200 yd ahead) rather than replaying from the tee. This is a local rule unique to Japan.

No solo play: a minimum of 2 players is required. Solo rounds are not permitted at Japanese courses.

Two-player rounds: some courses add a surcharge for groups of two — confirm when booking.

When to Play

Seasonal Guide to Golf in Japan

Japan's climate varies dramatically by region and season. Here's what to expect — and what to watch out for.

  • Spring (Mar–May)

    Best season. Cherry blossoms in late March to April. Peak pricing and busier courses. Comfortable temperatures.

  • Summer (Jun–Aug)

    Hot and humid. Rainy season in June. Lower prices, fewer crowds. Recent summers in Japan have been extremely hot — carry plenty of water, wear a hat, and take dehydration and heat stroke prevention seriously.

  • Autumn (Sep–Nov)

    Second best season. Stunning autumn foliage. Mild temperatures. Still popular — book well in advance.

  • Winter (Dec–Feb)

    Many clear, sunny days. Snow is a risk in mountain and northern areas, but courses across southern Kanto stay comfortably playable through winter. Lowest prices of the year.

★ Important

How It Works

How to Book a Tee Time

Most Japanese golf courses do not have English-speaking staff, and many do not accept foreign visitors at all. The courses featured on our site have agreed to welcome international golfers — making your booking process far smoother.

1

Watch Our Course Videos

Browse our course guides and watch full video tours on YouTube. Courses we haven't featured will often turn down foreign visitors, so start with the ones here — every hole is covered with strategy tips and honest commentary, all in English.

2

Ask Your Hotel to Call

Ask your hotel front desk or concierge to call the course on your behalf in Japanese. Even solo travellers can play — if the course can pair you with a group, just ask the hotel to check. Our featured courses have already agreed to welcome international visitors, so the process is smooth.

3

Show Up and Play

The day before, have your hotel reconfirm your tee time and directions to the course. Then arrive, pull up our video guide on your phone, and play with confidence — no language barrier, no surprises.

Important: Phone booking through your hotel is available only for courses featured on our site. Not all hotels offer this as a standard service — confirm with your hotel in advance. Many courses in Japan do not accept foreign visitors, and Japan's prestigious private clubs do not accept outside visitors at all.

Getting to the Course

Rental Cars & Getting There

Japanese golf courses are typically located outside city centres. A rental car is essentially required — public transport rarely reaches the course.

International Driving Permit (IDP)

Japan only accepts IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. IDPs based on the Vienna Convention are not valid.

You also need your passport with an entry stamp — if you used the automated gate at the airport, visit the immigration counter to get a stamp before renting.

IDP is valid for 1 year from issue date, or 1 year from entry — whichever comes first.

Exceptions: Swiss, German, French, Belgian, Taiwanese and Monégasque licence holders can drive with a certified Japanese translation of their licence.

Booking Your Rental Car

Your hotel can almost always arrange the rental for you — going through the hotel is usually smoother than booking it yourself.

Major rental companies (Toyota Rent a Car, Times Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car) have English-language websites and airport counters. Book before you arrive — availability at major airports can be limited in peak season.

Car navigation systems (カーナビ) are standard in Japanese rental cars. Enter your destination by phone number for the most reliable results.

Your Day at the Course

What to Expect on the Day

A typical day of golf in Japan follows a structured flow — from arrival to checkout. Here's what the full experience looks like.

  1. 1

    Arrive — 1 Hour Before Tee Time

    Staff greet you and carry your clubs to the cart. Check in at reception — fill in your name, phone number, and hotel name.

  2. 2

    Locker Room

    Receive a locker key and scorecard holder. This key acts as your payment card throughout the day — pro shop, restaurant, all facilities.

  3. 3

    Front 9

    Play holes 1–9. Most courses have a GPS-equipped cart that shows the hole layout and the remaining yardage to the pin. Aim to complete in around 2h15 — a marshal patrols and will let you know if your group falls behind.

  4. 4

    Halfway House Lunch (45–60 min)

    Sit down for a full Japanese meal at the clubhouse restaurant — soba, tempura, ramen, your choice. With an early start, lunch can fall around 10:30; almost all Japanese golfers eat at the restaurant. Remove your hat upon entering.

  5. 5

    Back 9

    Play holes 10–18. While you're finishing, your clubs are cleaned and returned to the bag drop.

  6. 6

    Bath & Checkout

    Enjoy the onsen or communal bath at your leisure. Then head to reception — all charges for the day settle against your locker key in one transaction. Cash and credit cards are accepted at almost every course.

Before You Book

Booking Checklist

Use this checklist when enquiring about or booking a tee time. Confirm each item in advance to avoid surprises on the day.

Confirm When Booking

  • Date, tee time, and number of players
  • Rental clubs available (and cost per set)
  • Dress code requirements
  • Cancellation policy — confirm the deadline (often by noon the day before)
  • Whether caddies are required or optional
  • Cart usage (self-drive or GPS auto-cart)

What to Bring

  • No passport needed at the course — but bring it for the rental car desk
  • International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention)
  • Credit card or sufficient cash (¥15,000–¥25,000 for the day)
  • Collared shirt and smart trousers
  • A casual jacket — recommended outside the summer months
  • Golf shoes (or rental available at most courses)
  • Rain gear — Japan weather is unpredictable

Tip: Ask your hotel concierge to handle the booking call — they can confirm all of these points in Japanese on your behalf.

Watch & Learn

Start with Our Course Videos

Watch our free English course videos on YouTube — see every hole, learn course strategy, and find the perfect course for your Japan golf trip.

Visit Our YouTube Channel

or email us at teruhikoyamamoto0806@gmail.com

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to use this service?

    Weekend and holiday rates differ from weekdays, and green fees vary widely by course — some are pricey, some are cheap. Each course's YouTube video explains its fees at the end. Courses far from Tokyo tend to be cheaper, while famous courses that host Japanese tournaments can be expensive even on weekdays.

  • Can I book any golf course in Japan through this site?

    This site doesn't take bookings. It's best to have the hotel you're staying at make the reservation for you. On rare occasions a hotel won't arrange anything golf-related — in that case, show this site to the hotel staff and ask them to book the course for you.

  • Do I need to rent clubs?

    Most courses have rental clubs available, but they're set up for Japanese players — so bringing your own is better if you can. Ask the course about rental availability and price when you book.

  • How far in advance should I book?

    If there's availability, even next-day booking is possible — but ideally book 4–5 days ahead. Weekends are crowded, so weekday play is better.

  • What about transportation to the course?

    A rental car is best. Trains plus a course shuttle bus are possible, but confirm carefully when booking — transfers and bus stops are often confusing, and it's usually on local lines rather than express trains, so it tends to take a long time. We don't recommend it.

  • Do I need to speak Japanese?

    With your phone's auto-translation, most courses can be handled. Assume that course staff don't speak English, and please do your best to respect Japanese customs and culture.

  • What about golf etiquette in Japan?

    See the Manners & Etiquette section above — it covers Dress Code, On-Course Etiquette, and Japanese-Specific Rules in full.