Last Chance for Spectacular Golf

If this doesn't make you want to play golf in Asahikawa in Autumn, you probably don't like golf. The picture is the view from the 17th at Aibetsu International Country Club (AICC) taken two days ago. I shot my worst score of the season, but even that couldn't distract me from the spectacular visuals offered by this awesome course.

Each hole presented a different combination of stunning color that you simply couldn't ignore. And while the Autumn temperatures carry a touch more bite than than their balmy summer counterparts, when the sun is high, short sleeves are enough to get you through without discomfort.

The occasional fox, and deer pop out to say hello early mornings and late afternoons just to remind you that you're far removed from the city, while at the end of your round, the hot spring attached to the locker room provides the perfect tonic for sore muscles and joints.

If you want to get some luxurious golf in before the inevitable winter white out, Aibetsu ICC will stay open until the end of October weather permitting.

More Information:

Aibetsu International Country Club

Shirogane Golf Club

Forest Country Club

Asahikawa Golf Guide

Asahikawa Autumn

Asahikawa Winter

Taisetsu Nature Tours (TNT)

Asahikawa Golf - Asahikawa Intl. Country Club

Asahikawa International Country Club

Just to keep the golf theme going (the last post was about Shirogane Golf Club), I thought I'd throw in a plug for my favourite course close to Asahikawa, the Asahikawa International Country Club in Aibetsu.

Aibetsu Town is known for its famous Maitake mushrooms as well as its mushroom festival (second Sunday in September), but is also home to one of the finest golf clubs to be found within easy reach of the city.

During the week the prices are quite reasonable and the traffic is slight. The course is perfectly maintained and challenging in length. Long par 5's are the order of the day, though most have very forgiving wide fairways. The course is light on water hazards but full of carefully placed sand traps ensuring several visits to the beach during your round.

At the end of your 18 you can relax in fine style in the clubhouse restaurant (excellent for Ramen), then take a hot spring bath in the Onsen area. 

Aibetsu and the Asahikawa International Country Club are a good 40 minutes from Asahikawa city, but well worth the trip.

Golf Asahikawa - Shirogane Golf Club

Shirogane Golf Club

As far as value for money golf courses close to Asahikawa go, Shirogane Golf Club  must be considered in the top 5. Perfectly maintained, picturesque, uncrowded and having a distinct country club look and feel, you would be excused for thinking that it was a strictly 'Membership Only' affair. This thankfully is not the case, and although you really do get a sense of golf extravagance as staff rush to your car to take the clubs out, as soon as you walk through the front doors you are quickly put at ease by the welcoming friendly staff.

Fully automatic, remote-control buggies guide you around the course with ease, allowing you the luxury of taking in the spectacular mountains of the Taisetsuzan National Park which dominate the horizon at different parts of the course.

The course itself is professionally maintained throughout and provides a comfortable balance between forgiving fairways and 'gone for good' OB gullies. The dog legs tend to be taxing following inaccurate drives, but some do offer a chance to cut corners and make shots up.

More Information 'HERE'

Asahikawa Golf

TNT Golf Tours

TNT Park Golf Tours

Playing Golf in Asahikawa

Hokkaido is one of Japan's best golfing destinations offering stunning mountain scenery, beautifully designed and maintained courses and all of the value added services you would expect from any fine country club.

The Asahikawa summer is short but tends to be dry, so the stifling humidity commonplace in the southern islands of Japan is not a factor in a round of golf here. Fresh mountain air is the order of the day at most courses, and even on the hottest summer days a round of golf is still comfortable.

Asahikawa is home is to many fine courses and is not as expensive as you may have imagined. The golf season starts in late April and finishes in early November.  Autumn, though relatively chilly, is a great time to play golf while enjoying the splendid autumn colours of the Taisetsu Mountain Range.