Japan's Finest Mountain Golf
A Hakone golf trip is unlike any other in Japan. The volcanic highlands sit at 700–1,000 metres elevation, producing mountain courses with steep gradients, dramatic elevation changes, and fairways carved through ancient cedar forest. When the mist clears and Mt. Fuji appears on the horizon across Lake Ashi, the experience is genuinely unforgettable. Combine a round with an overnight ryokan and onsen soak for what many experienced Japan travellers call the single finest two-day itinerary within easy reach of Tokyo.
Hakone Country Club
The most prestigious address in the Hakone area, representing traditional Japanese private club culture at its finest. The course sits at approximately 730 metres elevation with mature cedar and Japanese cypress framing virtually every hole. Fairways are narrow by international standards, rewarding accuracy over power. The greens are known for their subtlety — what appear to be straight putts often break several feet due to the surrounding topography. Access requires a concierge introduction.
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Fujiya Hotel Golf Course
Associated with the legendary Fujiya Hotel — one of Japan's oldest Western-style hotels, dating to 1878 — this course carries enormous historical cachet. Short by modern standards, a reflection of its early twentieth-century origins, but plays with considerable difficulty due to the undulating terrain. Playing here connects you to the golden age of Japanese tourism. The hotel's English-speaking concierge team can assist with arrangements; non-member access is available.
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Suruga Ōi Golf Club
A more contemporary layout accessible from the Hakone area, Suruga Ōi offers some of the region's most dramatic hole designs. Long carries over valleys and precise approach work to elevated greens define the round here. The course attracts serious golfers from Tokyo who want something more testing than the standard Chiba parkland experience. Weekday bookings are accessible; weekends should be arranged in advance.
Request BookingThe Two-Day Golf & Onsen Itinerary
A Hakone golf trip is best done over two days — golf paired with a genuine ryokan overnight stay is the defining Hakone experience.
Day One · Arrive & Explore
- Depart Tokyo by Romancecar (85 min) or hire car (90 min)
- Check in to ryokan, store bags, begin relaxing
- Lake Ashi boat ride or Open-Air Museum afternoon
- Multi-course kaiseki dinner at your ryokan
- Night soak in communal or private onsen
Day Two · Golf & Return
- Early morning onsen before ryokan breakfast
- Traditional Japanese breakfast: rice, miso, grilled fish
- Tee off at 09:00 (40 min from most ryokan)
- Front nine + shokudo lunch: local soba, mountain vegetables
- Back nine, post-round bath (some courses have onsen)
- Return to Tokyo by early evening Romancecar
The Hakone Golf Lunch
- Handmade Soba — Local buckwheat soba noodles, often made in-house at Hakone-area clubhouses; hot in broth or cold with dipping sauce
- Mountain Vegetables (Sansai) — Foraged mountain vegetables from the surrounding Hakone forest; seasonal and unavailable elsewhere
- Fresh Wasabi — The Izu Peninsula nearby is Japan's finest wasabi-growing region; many Hakone course kitchens use genuine fresh-grated wasabi
- Kaiseki-Influenced Sets — Premium courses offer refined set lunches reflecting ryokan-quality seasonal cooking
- River Fish — Trout and other river fish from Hakone's mountain streams appear on premium clubhouse menus
- Budget — ¥2,000 – ¥3,500; do not rush — the 45-minute halfway break is one of the day's finest social moments
Getting to Hakone
Hakone is 85–90 minutes from Tokyo — close enough for a day trip, but best experienced as an overnight stay.
Odakyu Romancecar
The most evocative way to arrive — panoramic windows, forward-facing seats, drinks service at your seat. Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto in 85 minutes. Approximately ¥2,500 one way. Bus or taxi from Hakone-Yumoto to courses: 15–30 minutes.
By Hire Car
Approximately 90 minutes from central Tokyo via the Tomei Expressway and Odawara-Atsugi Road. Best for golfers with bags. Mountain roads around Hakone require care in fog or rain — common conditions at 700+ metres.
Weather Note
Hakone's microclimate is considerably less predictable than central Tokyo — frequent fog, mist, and rain even on Tokyo clear days. Morning mist typically burns off by mid-morning. Waterproof clothing is essential. Temperatures 5–7°C cooler than Tokyo.
Best Seasons
October–November for clearest Fuji views and finest weather. Golden Week (late April/early May) for cherry blossoms but advance booking essential. Ryokan books out 2–3 months ahead in peak seasons — plan well ahead.