Pacific Club Shirakawa Resort ☆ Follow

Located at an altitude of 950 meters on the Torihagata Plateau, the Pacific Club Shirakawa Resort course spans 820,000 square meters of flat terrain designed by Ryo Hachiro and later renovated by Norio Honma. The 18-hole, par-72 layout opened on May 29, 1974, and is characterized by fairways separated by white birch and larch trees. The course offers a JGA Course Rating of 72.1 from the back tees, which stretch to 6,777 yards, while the regular men's tees measure 6,470 yards. The front nine presents a mix of long par-5s and technical par-4s, highlighted by the 509-yard 1st hole and the 495-yard 8th. The back nine introduces significant elevation changes and water hazards, most notably the 470-yard 13th hole, which carries a handicap of 2. The course includes two short par-3s, the 161-yard 17th and the 166-yard 12th, providing strategic variety against the longer par-4s and par-5s that define the remainder of the round. Key challenges are defined by water features and terrain contours. The 13th hole requires a precise approach to a green guarded by a pond and bunker on the right, with a cliff on the left side that penalizes errant shots. The 1st hole features a water hazard to the front-right of the green, demanding accuracy off the tee to set up a manageable second shot. The greens are generally described as bowl-shaped, encouraging players to aim for the center to avoid tricky pin positions. The facility is integrated with a European-style clubhouse and hotel, allowing for stay-and-play packages that include afternoon rounds and overnight accommodation. The resort offers 27 rooms ranging from Japanese-style to Western-style suites, catering to golfers seeking a high-altitude retreat. The course is situated in Tateo, Amiya Village, Fukushima Prefecture, providing a cool climate environment distinct from lower-altitude Japanese courses.