Setouchi Golf ResortTakehara, Hiroshima Prefecture

The travel couldn't be easier; Hiroshima is an hour's flight from Tokyo's Haneda airport, with 7 or so flights daily, and it really couldn't be easier; once there, we got our bags right away and had a car waiting for us outside. Perfect spring weather greeted us and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom (early April). The weather down here is very stable; mild winters make golf accessible all year round, and yet during the hot Japanese summers, cooling breezes from the inland sea offer a pleasant relief.

After a short 25-minute drive through lush countryside dotted with beautiful houses with their distinct brown tiled roofs, we were in Takehara. Driving up to the course, we had flashes of beautiful turquoise water through the blossoms, but nothing prepared us for the jaw-dropping vistas we experienced when entering the clubhouse: The most breathtaking panoramic views of the Seto inland sea.

Dividing the Chikaoki and Shikoku regions, this is a calm and beautiful body of water dotted with picturesque islands, of which, the clubhouse takes full advantage, perched on a hilltop that looks down at this natural wonder- in all its splendor. The clubhouse itself is well-appointed, bright, and airy, and the 2nd-floor restaurant has a newly renovated terrace where you can unwind and enjoy a beverage or even a BBQ with friends while overlooking the course and sea beyond. 

After receiving our locker cards and changing into our golf gear we headed outside in giddy anticipation. In terms of practice facilities; Just outside of the caddy master’s office, two beautiful practice greens overlook the 1st and 10th tees which both have magnificent views of the water all along the left. There is a chipping area including two bunkers above the 9th green, and there is a 30-yard full swing facility hitting into nets a little towards the car park.

With our tee time approaching we headed to the first tee. Our inner golf nerd took over as all of us reached for our cameras and immediately started to take the most amazing pictures, literally any angle, and this course looked amazing. We arrived in the afternoon and with the sun lower over the mountains, and with the breathtaking sea or Setonaikai glistening, it really was worth the price of admission. 

But as exceptional as the view is, we were here for golf and we set about our first hole; a downhill gentle par 4, thankfully generously wide which we all managed to hit a good drive on. The bunkering is beautiful on this course and there are a lot of them guarding the greens. Speaking of which the greens are quick, and we noticed can be two or even three-tiered, providing considerable challenge and entertainment (10 on the stimp for the day), and in great shape.

The 2nd is a par 3 with elevated tees overlooking a large green well-guarded with a pond in front followed by a large bunker to the right, and another at the back. Although aesthetically and just 140 yards from the regular tees, this hole needs your full attention-- as one of our members can attest to, as he had a good look for birdie, but ended up 4-putting.

The 3rd is one of my favorite holes, a par 5 that has water running all down the left before crossing the fairway and coming into play again on your second shot. The green is reachable in two for longer hitters, but again well guarded and a tricky sloping green. This is a hole that will keep you coming back for more as I imagine it’s so different every time you play it. The fourth comes back towards the sea and is heavily guarded all on the right with bunkers, navigate these, and once again you are rewarded by heavenly views by the green.

The 5th and 6th are featured holes, running out and back on a peninsula above the water. The 5th is a long par 4 with a very testing 2nd shot to a well-guarded and undulating green. These are by far the most visually stunning, particularly on the 5th green and 6th tee box, where the view of the sea and the smaller islands is amazing. The 5th green has a particular split level which unless you hit a really good shot in you are looking at a quick putt from the higher level which can get away from you. The 6th heads away from the water and has OB all along the right so nerves of steel are needed to hit two good shots to get to the raised green, and again - guarded by some very deep bunkering.

The 7th is one of my personal favorites; a tricky steep downhill par 3 that gets blustery, and can vary as much as two clubs depending on the wind behaves. A par on this hole is worth celebrating.

The 8th is a long par 5 which starts of narrow- the tee is flanked by trees, but it does open up and if you hot a good drive, you can be tempted to go for the green... this golfer tried that exact hero shot, and  no less than 3 times resulting in a score-wrecking 9, but my pull-hooks providing excellent comic relief for my golfing partners.

The 9th is a shorter par 4,  but its defense starts with a pond to cover and then some extensive bunkering before and around the green which can and will catch some wandering approaches. 

The 10th (Pictured above) starts off much the same as the front, in fact running parallel to the first hole but with slightly better views due to the added elevation. It’s a nice downhill par 4 which eased us back into the swing of things after lunch, and with good scores all around- we moved on hopeful of blitzing our front 9 scores, and the next- #11 is the easiest hole on the course; with helping hills to the left and right of the fairway funneling everything into play.  The 12th gets a little tighter with a narrow fairway and OB coming into play, so some strategy- maybe taking something less than the driver off the tee is the play. 

Again another par 3 that I thoroughly enjoyed, a tee shot over about 120 yards of water onto a protected green in the front, with a bailout area to the left. The wind was straight in our faces and added to the drama. Its one of those shots where you just have to trust your number, stand up, and hit the shot. Of course, we all ended in the bailout area to the left, a great example of knowing what you should do, but in reality what your mind subconsciously makes you do... this is golf. 

The next stretch gave us a few problems, the 14th- a long par 5, requiring distance and accuracy, and the 15th,  which could be argued the most difficult hole on the course on the day given the wind. It is a long par 3 with a gorge to traverse, playing another 2-3 clubs easily into the wind. The 16th is a brutal dogleg left, with bunkers on the left of the fairway in the landing areas, and at the back of the fairway, making fairway placement at a premium. The 17th is a really enjoyable par 5, with a slight dogleg left and an elevated green guarded by steep bunkers-  just to catch anybody out who might have the audacity to try and get home in 2... 

The 18th comes up to the back of the villas where we will stay that night and has a magnificent view of the shoreline to the left. From the tee box, it looks very dangerous with OB and a very large bunker on the left side, and with the hole shaping right-to-left, the intimidation factor is high. However,  once you get up to your ball you realize there is plenty of room on the right, but the safer you play-- it gives a much harder and longer shot home. Again, the green is two-tiered and with a large bunker in front and also right which I would say takes the majority of approaches, so a decent shot is required to hit and hold the green.

I can imagine plenty of matches on this course coming down to the last- which offers plenty of drama… the way all good golf courses should be. 

Just opened in 2023 the course boasts 7 villas, with various layouts and options from 2 to 4 people. I stayed at the twin-type and was amazed at the level of the accommodation, the Western and Japanese-inspired interiors are premium and luxurious. The real jaw-dropper is of course the view- from the bay windows you have an even better view, and with dusk approaching, enjoying a beer on the private terrace will make you appreciate just what a special place this is. The sunrise is also something worth getting up for which rises right across the water from the villas and is spectacular. 

Cost: For visitors coming on weekdays the cost for 1 night, 1 round, and 3 meals starts from ¥37,480~ per person, or about $243 USD at the time of writing (an absolute steel considering what you get).

A full-course meal is provided with the standard stay plan, the specialty being the Kaiseki set (Japanese seafood), which is served in the living room area of your own villa. There is also an option for Italian (at the clubhouse) or Yaki-niku (BBQ course) on the clubhouse terrace, if you stay multiple days you could alternate through the menu. 

Being so close to the sea which is so bountiful in this area, the Kaiseki featured locally caught red snapper, mackerel, tuna, sweet prawns, and abalone, and was accompanied by various other dishes; fresh salads and vegetables, miso soup, and we each had our own hot plate where we cooked wagyu Beef; which was so succulent and tasty (you will be amazed at the quality). We also sampled some sake from the local area and regional wines - recommended by the course, which complimented the dinner perfectly. 

The next day at a time of your choosing the staff brings a delicious Western-style or Japanese breakfast set. I opted for the western, consisting of yogurt, soup, croissants, an egg sandwich, and of course, a thermos of coffee, which was a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful views and get ready for another day on the links. 

Takehara Historic District

One of the best-preserved Edo period villages in the country, this area surrounds the Shorenji Temple and offers a truly enjoyable stroll. The perfectly maintained Kominka houses, beautiful little shops, and alleyways are a treat to visit. I was amazed at how friendly the people were, and we were the only foreigners I saw all day visiting. So, if you are looking for something quieter and less visited than Kyoto, I strongly recommend coming here. When we visited the temple, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and some locals were enjoying Hanami together- truly the perfect Japanese scene. The town is also famous for sake, and we visited three breweries where they have a goods shop to try and purchase some sake, as well as local goods like pottery and traditional woven baskets.

Rabbit Island and Cruising

For those a little more adventurous, in the bay, there is an island inhabited by 400 rabbits!, The local marina offers boat charter services not only to visit Rabbit Island but also for fishing (some of the best snapper fishing in Japan is here) or just for cruising (champagne-cruise option available!). More info here

Hiroshima Wines

If wine is your thing, Hiroshima is renowned for wines, and a nearby winery Setouchi Zozojo Winery, you can visit and enjoy a tasting, more info here.

Family Stays
Golfing families are of course welcome at Setouchi Resort, but another option, if you are coming with younger kids, is to enroll them for a week in the local Youchen or kindergarten, perfect while the adults play golf. During the summer months, the local school welcomes overseas kids to join summer school, where they can experience Japanese culture and make friends with local children. The golf course can help coordinate this for guests.

Reservations
English reservations can be arranged by Golf In Japan, please contact bookings [at] golf-in-japan [dot] com (subject: Setouchi%20Golf%20Resort%20Booking%20Inquiry)  

More Information
- Setouchi Golf Resort on Golf in Japan 
- Setouchi Golf Resort home page, please visit: https://resol-setogolf.com/pages/english