Nisshinto Country Club ☆ Follow

Nissin Miyako Country Club is a private 54-hole facility located in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, situated on the slopes of Mount Itsukishima. The course is divided into three distinct 18-hole layouts: the Daigo Course, the Uji Course, and the Miyako Course. The Daigo and Uji courses were originally designed by the renowned architect J.E. Crane, known for his strategic use of natural terrain, while the Miyako Course was added later to complete the 54-hole offering. The grounds feature a challenging mix of red soil and rock formations, with the original 18 holes opening in 1966 and the full 54-hole configuration established in 1985. The Daigo Course presents a total yardage of 6,859 yards from the black tees for a par 72. It is characterized by strategic dog-leg holes and uphill approaches. The second hole, a 345-yard par 4, requires a precise tee shot to avoid a central fairway bunker before navigating an approach to a green protected by a high lip. The sixth hole, the signature par 5, stretches 551 yards and demands careful management of multiple uphill second and third shots. This hole is lined with mountain camellia trees, and the green is guarded by a bunker on the left that players must avoid to secure a manageable finish. The Uji Course offers a different test, also playing to 6,859 yards and par 72 from the black tees. It features the course's most demanding par 4, the 438-yard 14th hole, which is rated as the second-difficulty hole on the scorecard. This straight par 4 penalizes errant shots to the right, requiring players to attack from the left side of the fairway to set up an approach. The course also includes the 12th hole, a 569-yard par 5 that serves as the most difficult hole on the layout, requiring a long drive and precise approach to navigate the challenging green complex. A standout feature of the Uji Course is the 13th hole, a par 3 that offers panoramic views of the Uji cityscape, the Keihan Expressway, and distant landmarks including the Osaka Umeda skyline and the Abeno Harukas tower. On clear days, the view extends to the Rokko Mountains and even the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The tee shot from the back tees covers 165 yards, requiring players to manage the distance and wind while taking in the expansive scenery. The club has a rich history of hosting significant amateur events, including the Kansai Amateur Golf Championship Kyoto Regional Qualifier, the Kansai Senior Golf Championship Regional Qualifier, and the National Amateur Championship commemorating the National Sports Festival. In 2002, it hosted the final tournament of the First All-Japan Corporate Women's Golf Tournament. The course underwent a major renovation in 2023, overseen by professional Norio Suzuki, to restore the original strategic design principles of J.E. Crane while upgrading the greens and infrastructure.