Hokkaido is the prefecture with the greatest number of golf course in Japan, reached to 169, many superb golf courses are dotted around New Chitose airport within 20-30 minutes drive.
Sapporo Golf lub, opened in 1932, was Hokkaido’s first 18 hole golf course and many of its fairways are lined with huge trees. Its Watts Course , opened in 1958 and designed by Inoue Seiichi, is recognized as a venue of ANA open held in September. Otaru Country Club ,opened in 1928 with 3 holes, is one of Japan’s premier championship golf courses and hosted several PGA and LPGA events (1999 Japan Open Golf Championship, 2004-12 Sun chlorella classic, 2015 Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament). Links course style, The North Country Club, opened in 1990 has been hosting PGA event (2005-2017 SEGA Sammy Cup Golf Tournament). Katsura Golf Club opened in 1993 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. is another host course of LPGA event.(2010-13 Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament). Other courses to be excellent and worthy of playing are too numerous to enumerate, such as Gozensui Golf Club, Hokkaido Classic Golf Club, Hokkaido Brooks Country Club, Nidom Classic Golf Course, Hayakita Country Club and more.
Hokkaido is the large island to the north in Japan, being famous for snow festival held in February, summers in Hokkaido are relatively cool and dry. It is the best season for playing golf in Hokkaido during June to October, any golf course are closed during November to March. There’s plenty to do other than play golf in Hokkaido so be sure to include some exploring of the area around your golf resort, enjoying fantastic foods such as seafood, sushi, beef, BBQ, a wide variety of “Ramen” and so on.