Karuizawa 72 Golf
A 108 hole resort laid out by Robert Trent Jones Jr in the cool highland air of Karuizawa, Nagano. Six separate par 72 courses spread through pine and larch forest, led by the long North layout, make this the largest single golf destination in the country and a summer refuge from the Tokyo heat.
Photo: Karuizawa 72 Golf via Google.
The verdict
Karuizawa 72 Golf is golf on a scale found nowhere else in Japan. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened in 1972, it has grown into a complex of six full 18 hole courses, 108 holes in all, threaded through the forested highlands around Karuizawa in Nagano. The resort sits at altitude, which is the whole point: when Tokyo swelters in midsummer, Karuizawa stays cool, and the town has been a refined mountain retreat for the capital's elite for more than a century.
The six courses each carry their own character, named for the points of the compass: North, South, East Iriyama, East Oshitate, West Gold and West Blue, all playing to par 72. The North is the longest and the championship test at about 7,076 yards, while the others range from approachable resort rounds to firmer, more strategic layouts. This is public resort golf operated within Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts, so visitors can book and play, which makes Karuizawa 72 one of the easiest great experiences in Japan to add to a trip. For a group that wants variety, a cool climate and the ease of staying and playing in one place, nothing in the country matches it.
Karuizawa 72 Golf at a glance
- Opened
- 1972
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Jr
- Type
- Highland resort, 108 holes
- Par
- 72 (each course)
- Yardage
- 7,076 yds (North)
- Green fee
- Resort, indicative
Designer, opening year, course count, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort and leading course databases. All six courses play to par 72; the North is the longest at about 7,076 yards. Green fees are seasonal resort rates that swing with the calendar and peak in summer; published packages and tee time rates change by season and year, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
The courses worth the trip
The North course is the one to build a serious round around. At about 7,076 yards and par 72 it is the longest and most demanding of the six, with generous landing areas off the tee giving way to greens that ask for precise distance control, and it has long been the layout the resort points its better players toward.
The South is the gentler, more rolling counterpoint, a fine choice for the second round of a long day or for a mixed group of handicaps. The two East courses, Iriyama and Oshitate, both stretch out near 6,900 yards and bring more strategic teeth, while the West pair, Gold and Blue, complete the set with classic forest framed parkland golf. Across all six, the conditioning is to the high Japanese standard and the larch and pine corridors give the place a calm, alpine feel.
What makes Karuizawa 72 special is the sheer choice. A group can play a different layout each day for the best part of a week without leaving the property, the altitude keeps summer rounds comfortable, and the autumn color through the forest is among the finest golf settings in Japan.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort golf within Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts; visitors can book tee times, often as part of a stay |
| Green fee | Seasonal resort rates, highest in summer; stay and play packages available (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book ahead in summer and on autumn weekends, when demand from Tokyo peaks; a specialist can package golf with lodging |
| On the day | Six 18 hole courses on one estate; traditional Japanese resort service and a mid round lunch break |
| Getting there | Karuizawa, Nagano; about an hour from Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen, then a short transfer |
| Best months | Late spring through autumn; summer is cool and prized, courses close in deep winter |
Access and seasonal rates verified June 2026; resort policies and prices change, so always confirm directly before booking through the resort or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
The simplest plan is to stay in Karuizawa itself, where the resort operator runs hotels a short transfer from the courses and the town offers everything from refined ryokan to modern resort lodging. A base here lets a group play, eat and relax without long drives, and the famous outlet shopping and mountain walks fill the non golf hours.
Karuizawa pairs naturally with Tokyo at the start or end of a trip, the Shinkansen putting the capital roughly an hour away, so many itineraries open in the city before retreating to the highlands for the golf.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts in Karuizawa.
Build a Karuizawa golf trip
We package the best of Karuizawa 72 with lodging and the wider golf of Japan, then book the tee times and the stay around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Karuizawa 72 Golf questions
Who designed Karuizawa 72 Golf and when did it open?
Karuizawa 72 Golf was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened in 1972. The complex now holds six separate 18 hole courses, 108 holes in total, across the highland terrain around Karuizawa.
How many courses are there at Karuizawa 72 Golf?
There are six 18 hole courses, all par 72: North, South, East Iriyama, East Oshitate, West Gold and West Blue. The North is the longest and the championship layout at about 7,076 yards.
Can visitors play Karuizawa 72 Golf?
Yes. Karuizawa 72 is public resort golf operated within Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts, so visitors can book tee times, usually as part of a stay in Karuizawa. Confirm rates and availability directly before booking.
When is the best time to play Karuizawa 72 Golf?
Karuizawa sits at altitude and is a cool summer resort, so the prime golf season runs from late spring through autumn. Summer is comfortable when Tokyo is hot, and the courses close in the cold of winter.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, course count, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.