Gotemba Golf Club
Shiro Akaboshi laid out Gotemba Golf Club in 1971 on the lower slopes below Mount Fuji in Shizuoka, a par 72 of about 6,345 yards through pine and rolling parkland. It is a classic Japanese members course with the great volcano as its backdrop, within easy reach of Tokyo.
Photo: Gotemba Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Gotemba Golf Club, in the town of Gotemba in Shizuoka, was designed by Shiro Akaboshi and opened in 1971, a par 72 of about 6,345 yards from the back tees. It sits on the lower slopes below Mount Fuji, a rolling parkland layout framed by pine and, on a clear day, by the great volcano itself, and it is one of several historic clubs that make the Fuji foothills a fine golf region.
This is classic Japanese members golf, a well kept parkland course where position off the tee and a steady hand into firm greens matter more than raw length. It is distinct from the better known Taiheiyo Club in the same town, and a quieter, more traditional round. Visitors can book, so it makes a rewarding addition to a golf trip built around Tokyo and Mount Fuji.
Gotemba Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1971
- Designer
- Shiro Akaboshi
- Type
- Forest parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,345 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Gotemba Golf Club and leading course databases. The club was designed by Shiro Akaboshi and opened in 1971, a par 72 of about 6,345 yards on the lower slopes below Mount Fuji. It is a separate club from the Taiheiyo Club Gotemba in the same town. Green fees vary by day and visitor status; figures were indicative in 2026. Always confirm current rates, access and tee times directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Gotemba plays through rolling parkland on the lower slopes below Mount Fuji, with corridors of pine framing the fairways. The premium is on a positioned drive rather than brute force, since the trees and the gentle changes in elevation reward the player who finds the correct side for the angle into the green.
The greens are the test, well kept and full of subtle movement, firm and true in the dry months. Approach play and pace control decide the round, and on a clear day the sight of Fuji above the course is reason enough to make the trip from Tokyo.
At a par 72 of around 6,345 yards this is not a long course by modern standards, so it is strategy and ball control, not length, that decide the score. It is a traditional Japanese members course at its most enjoyable, quieter than its famous neighbor and rich in the calm, classical feel of the Japanese game.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that accepts visitor bookings; some times may require introduction, so book well ahead |
| Green fee | Varies by day and visitor status, generally higher at weekends (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve in advance through the club or a Japan golf specialist; weekend access is more limited |
| On the day | Caddies are common; a clubhouse dress code and Japanese golf etiquette apply |
| Getting there | Gotemba, Shizuoka, about 90 minutes southwest of central Tokyo below Mount Fuji |
| Best months | April to May and October to November for mild, clear conditions and Fuji views |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; policies at Japanese clubs change, so always confirm visitor access and current green fees directly well in advance before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Many overseas golfers play Gotemba from a base in Tokyo, about ninety minutes northeast, where the hotels, dining and culture need no introduction. The capital makes an effortless base for a Japanese golf trip, with the Fuji foothills clubs within reach for the visitor who books ahead.
For a golf focused stay, the resort hotels around Gotemba and the Fuji five lakes put the club and the great volcano closer to hand. Gotemba pairs naturally with the Taiheiyo Club and the other Fuji area courses for a memorable golf and scenery trip from Tokyo.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Gotemba.
Build a Japan golf trip
We arrange tee times at the Fuji area clubs where access allows, pair them with the best of the region and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Gotemba Golf Club questions
Who designed Gotemba Golf Club and when did it open?
Gotemba Golf Club was designed by Shiro Akaboshi and opened in 1971, a par 72 parkland course on the lower slopes below Mount Fuji in Shizuoka.
Is Gotemba Golf Club the same as Taiheiyo Club Gotemba?
No. Gotemba Golf Club is a separate, older club in the same town. The Taiheiyo Club Gotemba is the better known tournament venue nearby.
What is the par and length of Gotemba Golf Club?
Gotemba Golf Club is a par 72 of about 6,345 yards from the back tees, a forest parkland course where strategy matters more than length.
Can visitors play Gotemba Golf Club?
Yes. It is a members club that accepts visitor bookings, though some times may require an introduction. Always confirm access well in advance before travelling.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.