Destinations

Oita Prefecture is situated on the northeast side of Kyushu. From Tokyo, it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes by plane and 6.5 hours by train to reach the prefecture. Boasting a large number of mountains where many rivers and streams flow, 70% of Oita is covered by forests. After a day of playing golf, why not finish off with a relaxing dip in the prefecture’s many hot springs? Recognized as having the most hot springs in the whole of Japan, finding one to suit you will be as easy as making a perfectly lined up putt.

Hyogo prefecture shares its boundaries with Japan sea in the north and the Seto Inland sea in the south. It’s uniquely characterized by the existence of areas of amazing natural beauty alongside ultra-modern cities. The economic centre of the prefecture is Kobe, which is also one of the leading trading ports in Japan. Hyogo offers you plenty of places to visit and many sporting activities to enjoy in your leisure time. The prefecture is the perfect place to experience both a good pace of life and tremendous gallery of natural wonders. And if you are a golfer then you are most welcome here as Hyogo often referred to as ‘golf-course heaven’.

Just another announcement on the shinkansen to more popular spots, Aichi offers a calm and relaxing golf getaway in the middle of Japan. The prefecture is often overlooked as a vacation destination despite having a lot to offer visitors, including over 50 golf courses. And while you can expect beautiful sights and authentic experiences, you don’t need to worry about the long lines and busy crowds. Located on Ise Bay with Mie to the west and Shizuoka to the east, you’ll find it’s super easy to get there. Take a shinkansen from Tokyo and you’ll be in Aichi in less than two hours.

Photo: Daijuji temple, Okazaki, Aichi. From Flickr cc by Bong Grit

The capital of Japan for over a thousand years, it is nearly impossible to overstate the significance of Kyoto on Japanese history and culture. Kyoto is the historic heart of Japan, with seventeen World Cultural Heritage Sites in the city alone. From the intricacies of tea ceremony to the breathtaking beauty of Arashiyama, Kyoto has captured the hearts and imaginations of travelers for centuries. It is also very easy to access, a short train ride away from Tokyo in the Kansai region. If you want to take a break from the golf course and you find yourself in Kyoto, here are the absolute must-sees for your visit to this stunning city.

For genuine experiences without the crowds, golf your way through Akita. Located in the northern part of the main island Honshu, Akita is one of the six prefectures that make up the Tohoku region. The area, abounding with lush valleys and and sleepy onsen towns, is the perfect escape back to nature. Akita is also filled with tradition and hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year. Despite this, the region is still relatively untouched by foreign visitors compared to other destinations in Japan like Kyoto or Hiroshima. Accessible from Tokyo by a four hour bullet train (or a one hour flight), you’ll have plenty of time to golf and explore Japan’s history in Akita.

Have you ever dreamed of a place which gives you the possibility of exhausting your camera by the continuous flow of scenic spots which shout at you to capture them and share them with your loved ones back home?

No one could blame you if you feel enthralled by The Japanese Alps, which have been dubbed as the roof of the world. Toyama Prefecture, here we come.

The location of Toyama Prefecture is in central Japan. Noteworthy mountains on three sides, and opening on to the majestic Toyama Bay and the Sea of Japan surround it. There are ten cities within this mini Prefecture that forms part of Chubu on the main Island of Honshu.