Kawana Oshima
The Oshima Course is the older of the two layouts at the storied Kawana Hotel on the Izu coast, opened in 1928 to a design by Kohei Otani. A par 72 of about 5,700 yards, it is the more accessible companion to the celebrated Fuji Course, walkable, scenic and open to outside visitors as well as hotel guests.
Photo: Kawana Hotel Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Kawana is hallowed ground in Japanese golf, and while the Fuji Course gets the headlines, the Oshima Course is the resort's original layout, opened in 1928 to a design by Kohei Otani, often called the father of Japanese golf. It runs along the same dramatic stretch of the Izu coast above Sagami Bay.
At about 5,700 yards it is shorter and more forgiving than the Fuji, the sea breeze and the rolling coastal land providing the defence rather than sheer length. Crucially it is open to outside visitors where the Fuji is reserved for hotel guests, which makes the Oshima the way many travelling golfers first experience Kawana. Play both if you can; the Oshima alone is a fine and characterful round.
Kawana Oshima Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1928
- Designer
- Kohei Otani
- Type
- Coastal
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 5,700 yds
- Green fee
- Visitors welcome
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the Kawana Hotel and leading course databases. The Oshima Course opened in 1928 to a design by Kohei Otani, a par 72 of about 5,700 yards along the Izu coast. Visitor green fees vary by day and season and the Oshima, unlike the guest only Fuji Course, is open to outside players; always confirm current rates and access directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Oshima Course is about position and feel rather than power. At a touch over 5,700 yards it gives up little to the long hitter, instead asking for control in the coastal wind and a deft touch on the smaller, subtly contoured greens.
Holes climb and fall across the headland with the sea never far from view, and several tee shots are framed by the bay and the distant outline of Oshima island that gives the course its name. The wind off Sagami Bay is the great variable, turning short holes into puzzles on a blustery day.
It is a thoroughly walkable, classical Japanese resort course, best enjoyed at an unhurried pace with a caddie in the local tradition. Paired with the Fuji Course for hotel guests, it completes one of the great golf stays in Asia.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to outside visitors as well as hotel guests, unlike the guest only Fuji Course; book in advance |
| Green fee | Visitor green fees vary by day and season; staying at the Kawana Hotel secures the best access, indicative 2026 |
| Booking | Reserve through the Kawana Hotel or a Japan golf specialist; a hotel stay opens access to both courses |
| On the day | Walking with a caddie is the tradition; the historic Kawana Hotel and its facilities sit above the course |
| Getting there | Kawana, Ito on the Izu Peninsula, about 90 minutes to two hours from Tokyo by train and car |
| Best months | Spring and autumn for mild, clear conditions; the coastal site stays playable much of the year |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the Kawana Hotel; rates and access policies change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural and best base is the Kawana Hotel itself, a grand seaside resort that has hosted golfers since the late 1920s and whose guests gain access to both the Oshima and the famed Fuji Course. Staying on site is the heart of the Kawana experience.
The wider Izu Peninsula offers hot spring ryokan and coastal hotels around Ito and Atami for a broader trip, and Kawana sits within easy reach of Tokyo. It pairs well with the great courses around the capital for a fuller Japan golf itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Kawana Oshima Course.
Build an Izu and Japan golf trip
We book the Kawana tee times where access allows, pair them with the best of Japan and sort the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Kawana Oshima Course questions
Who designed the Kawana Oshima Course and when did it open?
The Oshima Course opened in 1928 to a design by Kohei Otani, often called the father of Japanese golf, and is the older of the two courses at the Kawana Hotel on the Izu coast.
What is the par and length of the Oshima Course?
The Oshima Course is a par 72 of about 5,700 yards, shorter and more forgiving than the celebrated Fuji Course, with the coastal wind providing much of its defence.
Can visitors play the Kawana Oshima Course?
Yes. Unlike the guest only Fuji Course, the Oshima Course is open to outside visitors as well as hotel guests; staying at the Kawana Hotel secures the best access. Confirm current rates directly before booking.
How far is Kawana from Tokyo?
Kawana sits at Ito on the Izu Peninsula, roughly 90 minutes to two hours from Tokyo by a combination of train and car.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; visitor access verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.