Oarai
Seiichi Inoue laid out Oarai in 1953 on the Ibaraki coast north of Tokyo, one of Japan’s rare seaside courses, its par 72 routed through avenues of black pine planted to hold the dunes. It is a firm, wind exposed test that rewards the player who can shape and control the ball.
Photo: Oarai Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Seiichi Inoue, the most revered of Japan’s home grown architects, routed Oarai Golf Club in 1953 on a sandy shelf above the Pacific in Ibaraki, about two hours north of Tokyo. It is one of the very few Japanese courses built hard against the ocean, though the black pines planted to anchor the shoreline now frame most of the holes more than the sea does.
What you get is a firm, wind exposed par 72 of about 7,190 yards with the strategic Inoue hallmarks, tilted greens, bold bunkering and a routing that asks for shape and control rather than raw length. It earns its place on any serious tour of Japanese golf and pairs naturally with the Tokyo area classics. Access runs through the members club, so plan an introduction well ahead.
Oarai at a glance
- Opened
- 1953
- Designer
- Seiichi Inoue
- Type
- Coastal pine
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,190 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from leading course databases and Top 100 Golf Courses. Oarai was laid out by Seiichi Inoue in 1953, a par 72 of about 7,190 yards from the back tees. It is a private members club with limited visitor access; there is no published public walk up green fee, so always confirm access and any guest rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Oarai plays along and across a gently rolling coastal site, the black pines tight to many fairways and the prevailing onshore wind setting the test. Inoue’s routing keeps the ocean in view on the outward stretch while the trees demand a controlled flight rather than a high carry.
The par 3s are the strength, a varied set that swings with the wind off the water and is defended by Inoue’s deep, cleanly cut bunkers and subtly canted greens. Miss on the wrong side and the recovery is awkward; find the correct tier and a birdie is there for the taking.
The closing holes run firm back toward the clubhouse, the wind often crossing and the greens running fast in the dry months. Oarai rewards the player who flights the ball down and plots a route, the purest test of links style thinking that Japan offers within reach of the capital.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors generally play with a member or through an approved introduction |
| Green fee | Weekday guest rates apply; no public walk up fee published (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Arrange through a member or a Japan golf specialist well in advance, especially for weekends |
| On the day | Traditional Japanese club format with a lunch break; caddies and carts are common |
| Getting there | Oarai, Ibaraki, about two hours northeast of central Tokyo by car |
| Best months | Spring and autumn for the most comfortable conditions; firm, windy coastal play in the dry season |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Oarai is a private members club and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit through the golf shop or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base in the Mito or Oarai area on the Ibaraki coast, or treat Oarai as a day trip from Tokyo when building a wider tour of the capital’s courses. The seaside town has resort hotels and onsen close to the course.
For a fuller Japanese golf pilgrimage, pair Oarai with the inland classics around Tokyo and a few nights in the city itself. It is an easy course to fold into a Tokyo based itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Oarai.
Build a Japan golf trip
We arrange the introductions where access allows, pair Oarai with the best of the Tokyo area courses 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.
Oarai questions
Who designed Oarai Golf Club and when did it open?
Oarai was designed by Seiichi Inoue and opened in 1953 on the Ibaraki coast, one of the few Japanese courses built beside the ocean.
What is the par and length of Oarai?
Oarai is a par 72 measuring about 7,190 yards from the back tees, played firm and often into a coastal wind.
Can visitors play Oarai Golf Club?
Oarai is a private members club. Visitors generally play with a member or through an approved introduction, so arrange access well in advance.
When is the best time to play Oarai?
Spring and autumn give the most comfortable conditions, while the dry season brings firm, windy coastal golf.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; access arrangements verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.