By John Barton
People give me a funny look when I tell them it was golf that brought me to the powder snow capital of the world.
Coming from Tokyo in late spring 2008, I was immediately in awe of the scenic beauty of Hokkaido and the purity of the golf terrain.
More than 10 years later I still find the golf irresistible, but always recall those first few rounds – early starts with the rising sun burning away the morning mist; clouds skirting the base of Mt Yotei, our so-called Mt Fuji of the north; breathing the pure, crisp air; playing under perfect cobalt skies; and recuperating in onsen (hot spring) baths after a round.
”Nestled between mountains and sea in what often feels like total wilderness, despite being in the vicinity of a major city, is something truly special
There are about 170 courses on Hokkaido. Most are clustered around Sapporo and the southwest of the island due to the concentration of population, convenience of access, beautiful scenery and regional development around the four-seasons resorts offering skiing in winter and golfing in the non-winter months.
Golf is undoubtedly part of Hokkaido’s four-season fabric and it’s always amazing to see the courses emerge from the white fields of winter to become the pristine green fairways of summer.
Tee off in Southwest Hokkaido
Despite its history and incredible array of golf courses, Japan has until now been overlooked as a golf destination. But together with the general boom in tourism to the country and increasing worldwide interest in it, Japan is ready to take its place on the world stage of golf tourism.
Niseko and Southwest Hokkaido look like they could emerge as one of the nation’s key golf destinations thanks to the investment pouring into the region on the back of the ski industry.
Year-round resort infrastructure is being developed at a rapid rate, and all the luxury accommodation that has been developed for winter is available to golf visitors on the other side of the year.
Add to that a beautiful climate, scenic beauty, affordability, abundance of onsen baths in the Niseko resort area, and an incredible dining scene, and you have a recipe for one of the world’s most unique and wonderful places for a golf holiday.
Golf Courses In & Around Niseko
HANAZONO GOLF
This is generally voted the best golf course by most who play in the area. It has a legitimate claim to be Niseko’s premier course with a well-established pro-am played every year, and also has the new Park Hyatt Niseko next door. With wonderful variety, tremendous beauty, and well-graded levels of challenge depending on the tee, it stands out as the must-play course in the area.
YEAR & DESIGNER: 1992 Miyazawa
DESCRIPTION: Par 72 – Tree-lined fairways, varied layout, some water
YARDAGES: 7003 / 6631 / 6179 / 5793 / 5090
hanazonogolf.com
NISEKO VILLAGE GOLF COURSE
Love it or hate it, the par 6 10th is one of the many memorable features of this course. Together with some wonderful holes such as the 2nd with its spectacular Mt Yotei backdrop, and the island green on the 11th, this course opens up frequent views of Yotei and is nicely maintained with some of the best putting surfaces in the area. Relatively wide fairways with no forced carries or cross bunkers but be ready to punch out from the trees if you are wayward.
YEAR & DESIGNER: 1992 Tsutsumi
DESCRIPTION: Par 73 – tree lined, gentle undulations with some water
YARDAGES: 6845 / 6422 / 5313
niseko-village.com
NISEKO GOLF COURSE
Arnold Palmer unfortunately never made it to see this golf course designed by his company but he would have been pleased with the result. The first to open in the Niseko resort area, this course is a wonderfully routed test through rolling countryside to maximise views and the playing experience. The 16th is a favourite as a par 5 with a risk reward to encourage swashbuckling play a-la Palmer if you can cut off the corner. The signature hole is the 17th with a par 3 of approximately 100m vertical drop.
YEAR & DESIGNER: 1986 Arnold Palmer
DESCRIPTION: Par 72 – tree lined with elevation changes and some water
YARDAGES: 6805 / 6306 / 5833 / 5072
niseko-village.com
RUSUTSU
There are four courses offered at Rusutsu and all are worth playing. The Tower is right next to the Westin Hotel and has some stunning holes, one offering a backdrop of the nearby theme park with its roller coasters and screaming ladies as your soundtrack. Then you have Izumikawa – generally a shorter but nevertheless testing course. Riverwood, composed of River and Wood are accessed in Kimobetsu and probably offer the best challenge – River is a shorter tighter course while Wood offers more length and overall a greater challenge, especially when played from the back tees at 6817 yards.
YEAR & DESIGNER: Ozaki 1988/Yuhara 2000/Curtis Strange 1992/Curtis Strange 1992
DESCRIPTION: 4 x par 72 – Tree lined with elevation changes and marvelous views.
YARDAGES (Back Tees): 6672 / 6327 / 6107 / 6817
rusutsu.com
ICHITATSU PRIVATE GOLF CLUB
Originally opened in 2001 as Cezar Country Club Yotei, it subsequently closed and opened again in 2016 as a privately owned course. This course has not been played by many yet but is a great experience waiting to be rediscovered. It is owned by a private individual reputedly based in Beijing whose local vehicle is a gold Rolls Royce. He allows a certain number of tee times to be booked via Rakuten at present. Some very tight driving holes and big rewards for keeping the ball in play. There are also great views back to Rusutsu.
YEAR & DESIGNER: Originally 2001 then 1st June 2016 / Unknown
DESCRIPTION: Par 72 – Forested through mountain terrain
YARDAGES: 6504 / 6127 / 5453
gora.golf.rakuten.co.jp
A-BRAND
You will absolutely love this golf course that has some fascinating holes, wonderful tee shots and majestic view down to the town of Yoichi and Ishikari Bay. You may well get distracted though by the clubhouse and onsen hotel which could be straight out of Bavaria and you will surely have to take a photo posing with the full-size stuffed polar bear in the lobby area. If that is not enough, the world-famous Nikka whisky distillery is just down the road.
YEAR & DESIGNER: 1994 Sato
DESCRIPTION: Par 72 – Links feel with coastal and river views
YARDAGES: 7002 / 6556 / 5725
a-brand.jp
WINDSOR GREAT PEAK OF TOYA
This par-71 course can be accessed directly from the Windsor Hotel overlooking picturesque Lake Toya on one side, and on the other the stunning Uchiura Bay coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Whilst it’s relatively short, just 6216 yards from the back tees, it does have its challenges and is built on some relatively steep, challenging terrain. It is certainly worth a visit and an experience you won’t forget, and Lake Toya is a must-visit as part of the golf day here.
Located within a splendid natural environment that commands a view of the Uchiura Bay, this impeccable 6,216-yard course will challenge you strategically as well as provide a breathtaking view.
YEAR & DESIGNER: 1965 Shimizu
DESCRIPTION: Strategically challenging holes and breathtaking lake and ocean views
YARDAGES: 6216 / 5861
www.windsor-hotels.co.jp
HOKKAIDO CLASSIC
This is the #1 ranked golf course in Hokkaido and #8 ranked in all of Japan. Jack Nicklaus designed the course and he rates it as one of the best designs he has ever done. It’s a private course but a must-play course and something special if you can get on.
YEAR & DESIGNER: 1991 Jack Nicklaus
DESCRIPTION: A beautiful mixture of natural landscape and strategic elements
YARDAGES: 7059 / 6617 / 6316 / 6064 / 5359
en.hcgc.jp
These courses will keep you busy on a golf holiday but there are 164 more courses available within just a few hours’ drive.
Golfing in Hokkaido is unique and an entirely special experience that goes beyond picturesque courses, volcanic views and pristine greens and fairways.
The way golf is played in Hokkaido you will usually have half a day available for other things and some money left in your pocket.
With world-class skiing in winter, it’s only a matter of time before Hokkaido also becomes known for its world-class golfing in summer.
Ease of access
- Two-hour transfer from New Chitose Airport
- Two hours from Sapporo city
- Huge range of accommodation – chalets, condominiums, hotels
- Resorts equipped to cater for international travellers
- Three courses within 10-minutes’ drive of Hirafu
- Most courses ¥5000-6000 (US$50) on weekdays;
¥10,000/¥12,000 (US$100) on weekends
Seasons
- Playing season – April to October
- Core period July to September
- Spring – crisp and cool and a chance to catch the cherry blossoms in April/May
- Summer – temperate without extreme heat. Gets light early with dawn golf available.
- Autumn – play amongst the brilliance of autumn colours in October
Bonuses
- All courses are scenically spectacular
- Generally very affordable
- Proximity to courses means you don’t have to spend an entire day playing or you may play 27/36
- Unlike the rest of Japan, Hokkaido has ‘through play’ which means you can play 18 holes without being required to stop for lunch
- Exceptional après golf thanks to Niseko’s dining scene and summer produce and seafood
- There are plenty of other tourism opportunities to add to your holiday
Article author John Barton is the Director of Vacation Niseko and a former golf teaching pro who has been living in Niseko for 10 years.
This article appeared in Summerlife 2020
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Beautiful!! Andy promised me that we will come to Niseko for golf and enjoying the beauty very soon. To much better days ahead for all of us, John. Thanks for this piece. Beautiful scenery!