Golf in Japan 日本のゴルフ

The history of golf in Japan is relatively recent, and its success is even more so. Thanks to an Englishman, the first Japanese golf course was born in Kobe in 1903. The sport is then only practiced by expatriates and English visitors wishing to improve their swing. Golf remains confidential for the Japanese and somewhat elitist. The turning point came in 1957: two Japanese, Torakichi Nakamura and Koichi Ono won the Canada Cup as a team. The Japanese are then passionate about this sport in the West.

Since the 1970s, the number of people with a license (necessary to access a course) has exploded in the archipelago. Today, the courses are legion, and the practices, these training stands where golfers are lined up to practice their swing, have greatly multiplied. There are approximately 2,500 courses and 35,000 golf courses on Japanese territory!

Read also: The most popular sports in Japan.

Best Practices

If you want to train or not lose your hand, the driving range is ideal. It is also an original place, often located in unusual places in Japan, like the one on the top floor of Yodobashi in Akihabara.

• In Tokyo, we recommend the Lotte Kasai Golf driving range. With its 300 firing slots, the building impresses with its size.

Information: Yubinbango 134-0086 Edogawa-ku, Tokyo Rinkai-cho 2-4-2, Kasairinkaikoen station, open 24 hours a day, 18 yen a ball ($.20/.15€)

• That of the Yodobashi Akiba electronics store is installed on the roof of the building. Japan obliges you to have a screen in front of you, allowing you to compare your movement filmed with that of the demonstration.

Information: 1-1 Kandahanaoka, Chiyoda-ku, on the Yamanote, get off at Akihabara; the driving range is open between 11 am and 10 pm, between 2,060 yen ($22.50/17.50€) and 2,570 yen ($20/15€) depending on the time

To go further: Golf in Tokyo

The Best Golf Courses in Japan

Wherever you are in Japan, there will always be a course nearby! Generally, the prices of the tee time range between 8,000 and 30,000 yen (between $67.50-250/62.50-225€) but can go beyond for specific exceptional courses. Particular times of the year, such as hanami, may also result in higher rates.

There is no strict code regarding the dress code, but we still advise you to wear a "smart" look and avoid jeans. A small Japanese specificity is the reasonably familiar presence of two greens (one for winter and one for summer) for the same course. Finally, most of the time, you will find an onsen in the complex to relax after the game...