Fuji Golf Course ☆ Follow

Located in Yamanakako Village in Yamanashi Prefecture, Fuji Golf Course is a 18-hole, par-72 layout designed by engineering professor Kazue Akashi. Opened in 1935 as the first golf course in Yamanashi Prefecture, the course is built on a lava plateau at the foot of Mount Fuji. The terrain is characterized as hilly, yet the fairways are notably wide and relatively flat, allowing for a walking-friendly round. The course is separated by red pines, and the short intervals between holes contribute to a relaxed pace of play. The course measures 6,419 yards from the back tees and features Bentgrass greens that are known for their strong grain. The grain runs toward Mount Fuji, causing the ball to roll faster and further when playing with the grain, and slower when playing against it. This characteristic adds a strategic layer to the putting surfaces, challenging golfers to read the slopes accurately. The layout includes a mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s, with the longest hole being the 570-yard 13th, named "Kojou," and the shortest being the 128-yard 16th, "Momijidani."

Fuji Golf Course holds a place in history as the only golf course in Yamanashi Prefecture until 1960. During World War II, the course was seized by the American occupation forces, but it resumed operations afterward. The original trees planted at the time of opening have grown into large trees that now line the fairways, preserving the handcrafted character of the course developed before the widespread use of heavy machinery. The course offers a view of Mount Fuji and Lake Yamanaka, integrating the natural landscape into the routing.