1984 Kashiwabara,
Sayama, Saitama 350-1335
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland.
Surroundings:
Woodland, rural countryside and Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Designer:
Original design at this location by Komei Otani (aka Mitsuaki Otani) (1940). Renovation by Gil Hanse (2018).
Above distances are for the course that plays to the Asaka set of greens. When playing to the Chichibu set of greens, the course stretches to 6,959 yards.
35.895465
139.406964
3 km S of Kashata / 45 km NW of central Tokyo.
Tokyo Golf Club: from its founding in 1913 and two subsequent changes in location (see Did You Know section below), the club now resides just north of Sayama in the outer Tokyo suburbs. Here, with Kasumigaseki CC immediately over the fence to the north, Tokyo GC enjoys a course crafted by Komei Otani, one of Japan's best known and most celebrated golf course architects.
The revered English course designer Charles Hugh Alison, crafted an earlier course for Tokyo GC in Asaka (it lasted from 1932 'til 1939). Following in Alison's footsteps, prolific bunkering is also the hallmark of Otani's design for the club's current course. The layout is generally regarded as Otani's defining work.
Comprising two nine-hole loops, the layout retains two greens per hole, giving rise to what are known as the (longer) Asaka greens course and the (shorter) Chichibu greens course.
Pick of the holes: the layout starts strongly with two excellent par-4s. The close is equally impressive with a long par-4 at 16, attractive slightly downhill par-3 17th, and gently doglegging par-4 18th ... all playing to heavily bunker-defended greens.
Limited access: this private course is generally playable only by members and their invited guests.
Private club - guests may only play if accompanied by a member.
Walking permitted. Caddies available.
From its founding in 1913 and original location in Komazawa, Tokyo Golf Club moved north to a new site in Asaka in 1932. Here it enjoyed a top-quality course laid out by the much revered Charles Hugh Alison. After that site was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Army, the club merged with the Chichibu Country Club in 1940, and settled into its current location, just north of Sayama.
Directly bordering Tokyo GC to the north are the also revered and private courses of Kasumigaseki CC ... Kasumi's revered East course hosted the men's and women's events in the 2021 Olympic Games.
Tokyo GC, a pioneer and pillar in the history of golf in Japan, has hosted many Japan Open championships, Japan Amateur championships and numerous other prominent national and international events.
Japan's 4th best course (Golf Digest, 2025).
World's former 99th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2017; not in subsequent editions of this ranking).
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
