Ono Golf Club
Conceived as the sister club to the fabled Hirono, Ono Golf Club was designed by Osamu Ueda in 1961 in the wooded hills an hour from Kobe. A par 72 of 6,935 yards on classic Golden Age lines, it hosted the Japan Open in 1969 and ranks among the finest courses in the Kansai region.
Photo: Ono Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Ono Golf Club was established as the sister club to Hirono, the most revered course in Japan, by Toyohiko Inui, the man behind Hirono itself. He chose Osamu Ueda, who had restored Hirono, to design Ono, and the result opened in 1961 as one of the standout layouts of the Kansai region in the hills near the city of Ono in Hyogo prefecture.
It is a course in the Golden Age tradition, routed through mature woodland on rolling terrain, with the large Oike pond brought cleverly into play across the closing holes of the front nine. A par 72 of 6,935 yards on bent grass greens, it hosted the Japan Open in 1969 and remains a testing, beautifully kept members course. For the travelling golfer chasing the great classical courses of Japan, Ono belongs on the list alongside Hirono and Naruo.
Ono Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1961
- Designer
- Osamu Ueda
- Type
- Woodland parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,935 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from leading course databases including Top 100 Golf Courses. Ono was designed by Osamu Ueda and opened in 1961 as the sister club to Hirono, a par 72 of 6,935 yards on bent grass greens that hosted the Japan Open in 1969. Indicative visitor green fees have recently been about 23,250 yen on weekdays, with higher weekend rates; figures are indicative for 2026, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Ono unfolds across rolling, wooded terrain, the front nine on gentler ground facing the large Oike pond and the back nine climbing into slightly hillier country. The routing is classical and natural, with well placed bunkering and greens that ask for a precise approach rather than raw power.
Water is the signature feature of the front nine, where the Oike pond is woven strategically into the 7th, 8th and 9th holes, demanding committed, accurate shots to hold the line. Ueda's bunkering, influenced by the work Charles Hugh Alison brought to Japan in the 1930s, frames the holes with real craft.
The back nine plays over more undulating ground, the 10th especially handsome for its well set bunkers, and the firm bent grass greens reward the player who controls distance and spin. It is a connoisseur's course, a Golden Age experience that explains why Ono sits so high in the Japanese rankings.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors generally play accompanied or introduced by a member |
| Green fee | Recently about 23,250 yen on weekdays, with higher Saturday and Sunday rates (indicative, 2026), always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Arrange well ahead through a member introduction or a Japan golf specialist; the trip team can assist |
| On the day | Walking with caddies is the tradition at the classic Kansai clubs; etiquette and pace are expected |
| Getting there | Near the city of Ono in Hyogo, about an hour by road from Kobe and roughly 90 minutes from Osaka |
| Best months | April to early June and October to November for the most comfortable conditions and finest turf |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Ono is private and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit through a member introduction or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Kobe or Osaka, both within easy reach of the classic Kansai courses and full of superb hotels, dining and the wider attractions of the region. A city base lets you combine Ono with the other great clubs nearby.
Kansai is the richest pocket of classical golf in Japan, and Ono pairs naturally with Hirono and Naruo for a pilgrimage built around the country's Golden Age architecture. It is an ideal region to anchor a Japan golf trip, blending revered courses with the food and culture of Kobe and Osaka.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Ono Golf Club.
Build a Japan golf trip
Where access allows we arrange a round at Ono through the right introductions, pair it with Hirono, Naruo and the best of Kansai 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.
Ono Golf Club questions
Who designed Ono Golf Club and when did it open?
Ono Golf Club was designed by Osamu Ueda and opened in 1961, established as the sister club to Hirono by Toyohiko Inui, who chose Ueda after his restoration work at Hirono.
What is the par and length of Ono Golf Club?
Ono is a par 72 of 6,935 yards on bent grass greens, a classical woodland course with the large Oike pond brought into play across the front nine.
Has Ono Golf Club hosted professional tournaments?
Yes. Ono hosted the Japan Open in 1969 and is consistently rated among the finest courses in the Kansai region and in Japan as a whole.
Can visitors play Ono Golf Club?
Ono is a private members club. Visitors generally need to be accompanied or introduced by a member, so arrange a round well in advance through a member or a Japan golf specialist and confirm green fees directly before arriving.
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; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.